Building Your Social Life in Kettering

If you’re considering moving to Kettering or the Northamptonshire area for the first time, you may be wondering how you are going to build a social life for yourself. While Kettering may not have the same reputation as a social hotspot compared to larger cities in the UK, there are in fact an amazing number of social activities and clubs to choose from, no matter what your age or your personal interests.

Kettering Letting Agents, Ashan Property, suggest a number of ways of meeting new people once you’ve settled into your new home.

Evening Classes

Evening classes have always been a great way to meet new people, and by choosing an evening class in a subject that interests you, you can be pretty sure that you will have something in common with the people you meet there.

Northamptonshire County Council run a wide selection of Adult Learning Courses across a range of locations including Wellingborough, Northampton, Brackley and, of course, Kettering. In Kettering itself there are a range of subjects on offer including subjects such as learning Japanese, life drawing, meditation, first aid and the history of wine. But Northampton is just 12 miles away, and Wellingborough is even closer, so why not try your hand at dog grooming, creating an ebook or even some forensic science!

If you’re interested in something more vocational, check out Tresham College of Further and Higher Education. As well as providing a range of full time courses they also offer a number of part-time courses that take place in the evenings or on Saturdays, which do not require any previous knowledge, such as introductions to French, Italian, Mandarin and German, or vehicle maintenance. They also create special one day courses which, in the past, have included “Getting the most from your digital camera”, “Nutrition and exercise” and “De-mystifying the world of eBay and Social Media”.

Singles

If you’re single and interested in finding a partner, there are options in Kettering besides online dating or the club scene. Kettering is home to a number of singles clubs where the emphasis is on events and group activities which enable you to meet others in a relaxed social setting (as opposing to just focusing on setting up dates). Three we’ve found are the Solo Club on Rockingham Road, Alive N Kicking Over 40’s on Thrapston Road and Alive N Kicking Over 50’s on Fair Lane.

Social Clubs

There are a good number of social and working men’s clubs in and around the town, offering not just a place to meet for a drink, but a variety of sports and other facilities, as well as regular social functions such as BBQ’s, dances and live music. For example, the Midland Band Social Club on Hallwood Road provides access to bowls, darts, skittles and pool, and the club takes part in the Kettering Darts League and the Kettering Pool League. Also check out the Montagu Social Club in Weekly (just outside Kettering), and the Rifle Band Club on Havelock Street.

Although social clubs have many of the same facilities as public houses, the difference is that you usually have to be a member to attend. This means that you will be more likely to see the same people there every time you visit, making it easier to get to know the other members after a while.

Parent and Tot Groups

If you are a mother or father with very young children it can be hard to get out and about in the evenings. So a parent and baby/toddler club could be the answer to providing some social contact with adults during child-friendly hours. It also provides your child with a chance to play and interact with other young children. Kettering is blessed with a large number of groups aimed at parents with babies or toddlers, usually meeting in churches, libraries or schools. The Time for Tots website is a good starting point for finding local groups in your area.

Hobby Clubs

If you have a specific hobby or interest, this can be a great way to connect with other people.

We’ve found at least one club or group in or near Kettering for the following interests:

bridge, chess, model making, archery, amateur radio, martial arts, historical re-enactment, knitting, Morris dancing, amateur dramatics, salsa, folk and blues, flowers and flower arranging, board and card games, beading, photography, astronomy and bird watching.

An internet search for “<hobby> club kettering” is the best way to find out if there is a group or club related to your particular hobby in the local area.

Ashan Property Letting Agents are based in Kettering, and can help you find a rental property perfect for you in the town or surrounding area. Click the link to see our currently available properties.