How do I meet someone new?

Sounds like you are well . Plenty of over 50s dating sites x

Thank you for all the fantastic comments. I've joined 'meetup ' and will go along to a few groups, joined a poetry night and amateur theatre which isn't until February - Im on Match.com, it's very hit and miss, but it seems most are wanting to talk about sex, which I'm not even close to thinking about!
So many lovely stories here - it boosted by confidence to get out there ?

I met my husband via a dating site which doesn't exist anymore but you could chat on it. I found the site to be full of the wrong type of men and I never met up with any of them. I arranged a date with one other, but I pulled out of meeting up because I wasn't sure about him.
DH and I clicked and chatted frequently off the dating site. He lived very far away and we were just friends, we met up after about 6 mths, still wasn't expecting anything to come of it, but here we are!
After my divorce from first husband, I met previous bf's through activities I did in the real world. I still think that is your best way of meeting people. I was lucky with dating site but I spoke to a great many men online before I found my DH and I never met any of them.... that was the quality of them!

I am more than happy on my own but I guess if you did want to meet someone all of the previous suggestions would be helpful. Personally I would go for groups or clubs that were related to my own interests or voluntary work eg conservation, National Trust etc but I would never consider online dating. Having said that it does seem to work for some people. Each to his/her own.

I used to read Stella Grey's column in The Guardian. She did meet someone and remarried but it took two years of perseverance with online dating before she found a good match. The columns are still there. www.theguardian.com/profile/stella-grey

Sometimes you can meet someone just naturally through the course of ordinary life. I was widowed for nearly 10 years and was not interested in meeting anyone else. My daughter met her husband on a dating site, and when they married I, at the age of 70, met a relative of my son-in-law and a close relationship has developed!

I met my second husband through a dating site. He is my ex now...but we were together 13 years before we split.
About a year after he left I joined match.com...some men were dicks. I did have a couple of nice dates though . Then I had a date with a widower....for the past 19 months he has been my wonderful boyfriend. My dd10 & his ds12 get on really well together. We don't live together but spend weekends and holidays at each other's houses, he is my best friend. Sometimes online dating can have a happy ending.

I was divorced in my fifties and through the advice of a friend went to a dancing group. I actually went to modern jive - sometimes called ceroc. It's very sociable and you can go on your own and feel quite comfortable. I met loads of new friends and eventually met someone I wanted to be with. On the plus side it keeps you fit and music and dancing have a feel good factor. You can find classes in your area on the internet.

try local groups ,there would be a list of them in your local library.a walking group/photography/etc. dont rush into looking for a new person. it will happen.when you least expecting it.

I think night clubs ,dance is what brings couples together and music .

My husband died when I was sixty years old.
Shortly after that I started going out clubbing with my girlfriends.
We had a lot of fun and I met some interesting men,
Some good, some not so good.

I am currently with my partner of twelve years who I met in a club.

I’m so glad I didn’t have to resort to internet dating.

I am a happy user of a social group for single people. It was wonderful I had so much true friendship and support and eventually married my best friend. Walking groups, cycling and any mixed interest groups. Just get out there.

Another happy user of online dating here. Went on lots of first dates, had a couple of short term relationships which didn't work out, and have now been six months with a lovely chap; we're planning to be living together by the end of the year. Don't give up!

A friend of mine discovered her husband had been having an affair for 14 years. After the breakup she eventually tried internet dating. She met 30 men and married the 31st and is now very happy. I took her as an inspiration and tried the internet myself and am now extremely happy with the 5th man I met. So I would say keep up with the dating using a reputable site while also following the other useful advice here.
Best of luck!

Totally agree wit ya @Teetime

My husband of 43 years cheated on me. For 2 years I was just at a loss. Lost 2 jobs through it as I could not concentrate. I joined on line dating but will agree that it's just a 'sleep with me site'. One man said 'I will treat you to dinner and hotel if the next morning it's not working, nothing lost'!! Well I told him if he want a prostitute hes looking in the wrong place!. I had just given up hope and canceled my subscription when I met a local man. We waited 6 months before we slept together and if he's the right man he will wait. We have now been together 3 years and have just bought a joint bungalow. Don't give up, the right man is out there. He will find you. What about night classes of some sort?

After 30 years on my own I've come to the conclusion - men are like parking spaces. The best ones are already taken!

How about an evening class? Creative writing? I divorced my first husband and 5yrs later (but not ready or looking) I enrolled with the local advanced driving group. There was a guy with a lovely smile...... we’ve now been married 24yrs. Good luck

I met my current husband online but we chatted for ages before we met and so knew quite a bit about each other and our circumstances
We mainly chatted as we lived far apart and actually found that better than dating the guy around the corner so to speak xx
Good luck with the dating game , having been there and got the tea shirt I know how you feel xxx

My friend met a new man through a church walking group. They are both in their seventies.

I met my current husband via an ad in the local paper, we have been married 13 years now. Dating sites were not really an option then. I agree with others, join groups with similar interests to you, volunteer somewhere etc. Look at enlarging your friendship circle initially before looking for a relationship. Good luck.

Friends of National Trust have a walking group Ambles and Rambles. Ambles (Wednesday) are 4-5 miles and Rambles (Saturday) 8-10 miles. Both meet once each week and ends with lunch at pub. At our group their are always nice gentlemen who are unattached and seem friendly. Also coffee mornings, book sales and lectures on interesting things too. Many events at weekends. You could try a new hobby or interest group. Evening classes might be good. Could you ask friends if they could introduce you to more people in general.

I hope the joining of hobby groups appeals to you and may I suggest considering the local amateur theatre companies? You may not wish to act but there are many backstage jobs (wardrobe, Props, Prompt, stage crew,etc) or Front of House stewarding or refreshments.
Good luck!

I have just dipped my toe in the water of online dating. I've been single for a very long time. In the past I've not picked well when it comes to men. I'm hoping I've wised up.... I've been on two dates so far. One gent was very nice, but not for me. The second guy is more my thing. But I'm not putting all my eggs in one basket. If he is interested he will take things at my pace.
I haven't had any dick pics but I have had some odd questions and offers from men who want to come to my house.... errrr no!!!
I hope you find a situation whereby you meet a nice man. I don't really go anywhere to meet new people so online dating seemed the way for me. It's a free site but not POF. Good luck ?

Just to add I am currently doing online dating with Match.com. Have been in email contact with a guy and we hope to meet up soon. It does take a leap of faith but i know several people who have met online. 3 are now married and the other is going off on a long haul holiday. Personally u have only had I dodgy message but that person was blocked and removed from site.
Of course you have to be careful with your information and where you meet etc and I would only use the paid sites.
Good luck in your quest