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Home / Dating Canterbury

Dating Canterbury: Compact city, big commuter catchment, and a proper student ripple

About 6,060 singles live in Canterbury, among roughly 55,000 people. It is a compact cathedral city, but the dating pool stretches past the centre fast once you add students, hospital staff, commuters and people who hop over from Ashford or the coast. That makes the app choice matter more than in a bigger city.
6,060singles in Canterbury
What are you looking for in Canterbury?

Beyond the usual Tinder, Bumble & Hinge, why don't you try:

adultfriendfinder-logo-resize-eng Adultfriendfinder ★★★★★ i8 AdultFriendFinder caters to an adult audience and has content to satisfy all of your sexual fantasies. For casual datingFor open relationships & swinging Try Adultfriendfinder for free Review ~3,310 members in Canterbury 760 ♀ · 2,550 ♂

Age distribution

18-24██████████22%
25-34██████████25%
35-44██████████19%
45-54██████████15%
55-64██████████11%
65+██████████8%

Key facts

Casual datingHookupsSwingersErotic adventures
Pricing: Average
Share of women: 23%

AdultFriendFinder's strength is in its vast membership base all over the globe. If you are someone looking for casual fun, this site might work well for you. Check it out now.

OurTime Logo Ourtime ★★★★★ i8 If you're single and over 50, it might be your time to rekindle that dating spirit with Ourtime. For serious dating Try Ourtime for free Review ~3,300 members in Canterbury 1,320 ♀ · 1,980 ♂

Age distribution

45-54██████████60%
55-64██████████20%
65+██████████20%

Key facts

Serious relationshipFind love
Pricing: Average
Share of women: 40%

Ourtime is an exceptionally great platform that you can use to socialise and find love if you are single and over 50. Its concentrated member base and fun features will surely help you find whatever it is you are looking for, whether it be a friend or a partn…

Secret Benefits Logo Secret Benefits ★★★★★ i8 Secret Benefits claims that they have millions of generous mature men and attractive women. Is this true? Let's find out! For serious datingFor casual datingFor fun & flirting Try Secret Benefits for free Review ~3,290 members in Canterbury 820 ♀ · 2,470 ♂

Age distribution

18-24██████████11%
25-34██████████26%
35-44██████████22%
45-54██████████20%
55-64██████████16%
65+██████████5%

Key facts

Serious relationshipFlirtingCasual dating
Pricing: Average
Share of women: 25%

Secret Benefits gives both the Sugar Baby and the Sugar Daddy a simple and straightforward platform to find and arrange dates. Thus, if you are into sugar dating, and would like to experience this fast and no-fuss service, try the site today!

mytransgenderdate-logo MyTransgenderDate ★★★★★ i6 Can you find love on MyTransgenderDate? Know more about the website here! For serious dating Try MyTransgenderDate for free Review ~1,130 members in Canterbury 420 ♀ · 710 ♂

Age distribution

18-24██████████22%
25-34██████████27%
35-44██████████18%
45-54██████████14%
55-64██████████11%
65+██████████8%

Key facts

Serious relationshipFind love
Pricing: Average
Share of women: 37%

MyTransgenderDate is a safe dating place for transgender women who are looking for meaningful connections with like-minded individuals. Although the site doesn't have many features, MyTransgenderDate still works well.

logo Ashley Madison ★★★★★ i8 Ashley Madison is a dating platform focused on discreet connections and privacy. For casual datingFor fun & flirting Try Ashley Madison for free Review ~3,280 members in Canterbury 980 ♀ · 2,300 ♂

Age distribution

18-24██████████18%
25-34██████████30%
35-44██████████21%
45-54██████████15%
55-64██████████10%
65+██████████6%

Key facts

FlirtingAffairsHookups
Pricing: High
Share of women: 30%

Ashley Madison creates a dating environment for people exploring discreet connections on their own terms. If you want to meet like-minded individuals who value privacy and personal choice, this might be the platform for you. Join Ashley Madison today to exper…

WooPlus Logo WooPlus ★★★★★ i3 Socialise and date with plus-sized singles at WooPlus. For serious datingFor fun & flirtingAffordable Try WooPlus for free Review ~3,200 members in Canterbury 1,280 ♀ · 1,920 ♂

Age distribution

18-24██████████27%
25-34██████████28%
35-44██████████17%
45-54██████████13%
55-64██████████9%
65+██████████6%

Key facts

FlirtingSerious relationshipFriendship
Pricing: Cheap
Share of women: 40%

WooPlus proves to be a viable place for plus-size women and men's romantic partners. Most users of the site are not afraid to show off their curves. It is highly recommended for plus-sized singles to experience using WooPlus.

logo SDC ★★★★★ i8 Is SDC the perfect swingers date club that can satisfy your most intense desires? Or is it just another money-profiteering dating platform? Check our review and find out everything you need to know about SDC! For casual datingFor open relationships & swinging Try SDC for free Review ~2,180 members in Canterbury 720 ♀ · 1,460 ♂

Age distribution

18-24██████████16%
25-34██████████24%
35-44██████████19%
45-54██████████17%
55-64██████████14%
65+██████████10%

Key facts

SwingersErotic adventures
Pricing: High
Share of women: 33%

If you're a swinger looking for real fun and excitement, then SDC might be the home for you. It's more than that as it offers parties, events, travels, and other exhilarating features. This home for swingers actually values your privacy. Want to try out the l…

Eharmony Logo eharmony ★★★★★ i4 If you're looking for long-term relationships that might eventually lead to marriage, then eharmony might be the site for you. For serious dating Try eharmony for free Review ~3,230 members in Canterbury 1,710 ♀ · 1,520 ♂

Age distribution

18-24██████████19%
25-34██████████26%
35-44██████████21%
45-54██████████16%
55-64██████████12%
65+██████████6%

Key facts

Serious relationshipFind love
Pricing: Average
Share of women: 53%

eharmony is a matchmaking site for singles who are looking for serious commitments. It provides an in-depth knowledge of your match through the required personality and character tests. If you are looking for a long-term relationship and would want to settle …

match logo Match ★★★★★ i3 As one of the oldest dating sites available today, was Match.com able to adapt to the latest trends and needs of the present generation? For serious dating Try winner for free Review ~3,210 members in Canterbury 1,280 ♀ · 1,930 ♂

Age distribution

18-24██████████15%
25-34██████████25%
35-44██████████20%
45-54██████████20%
55-64██████████13%
65+██████████7%

Key facts

Serious relationship
Pricing: Average
Share of women: 40%

With a track record of 20+ years, Match is indeed a perfect platform for singles seeking love and relationships. Since the website has a large user base and many special features, it ensures higher chances of finding the perfect match. 

C-Date Logo C-Date ★★★★★ i8 Sign up on C-Date to meet adventurous and open-minded singles who are up for casual dating. Enjoy dates of pure fun without pressure. For casual datingFor fun & flirting Try C-Date for free Review ~3,260 members in Canterbury 1,300 ♀ · 1,960 ♂

Age distribution

18-24██████████20%
25-34██████████33%
35-44██████████22%
45-54██████████13%
55-64██████████8%
65+██████████4%

Key facts

Casual datingHookupsErotic adventuresFlirting
Pricing: High
Share of women: 40%

C-Date is for individuals who are seeking casual sexual encounters. As free members, male users can enjoy a limited function of the dating site. Paying a premium lets you mingle with like-minded members who are up for the same kind of adventure.

lpgo Illicit Encounters ★★★★★ i6 Matching married individuals together for over 15 years, Illicit Encounters is UK’s leading married-dating website. For casual dating Try Illicit Encounters for free Review ~3,250 members in Canterbury 1,630 ♀ · 1,630 ♂

Age distribution

18-24██████████13%
25-34██████████27%
35-44██████████22%
45-54██████████17%
55-64██████████12%
65+██████████9%

Key facts

AffairsHookups
Pricing: Very high
Share of women: 50%

Overall, Illicit Encounters provides a safe and reliable dating service for married and attached people. If you are into this kind of game, then maybe Illicit Encounters is one of the sites that is probably worth your money.

TSDates Logo TSDates ★★★★★ i5 TSDates is an online dating platform mainly for transvestites (TV), transsexuals (TS), and transgenders (TG) looking for some exciting casual affairs and sexual entertainment. For casual dating Try TSDates for free Review ~10 members in Canterbury

Age distribution

18-24██████████18%
25-34██████████22%
35-44██████████19%
45-54██████████16%
55-64██████████15%
65+██████████10%

Key facts

Erotic adventuresHookupsCasual dating
Pricing: Average
Share of women: 25%

TSDates is not just a dating platform where you can find casual dates or real relationships. It's not just a good place to find sources for adult sites or a home for those who want to take their sexual experiences to new heights. Try TSDates now to experience…

Victoria Milan Logo Victoria Milan ★★★★★ i7 Is Victoria Milan dating a match for your desire or a pit for your card? Let’s find out. For casual dating Try Victoria Milan for free Review ~1,900 members in Canterbury 760 ♀ · 1,140 ♂

Age distribution

18-24██████████19%
25-34██████████30%
35-44██████████21%
45-54██████████14%
55-64██████████10%
65+██████████6%

Key facts

Casual datingAffairsHookups
Pricing: High
Share of women: 40%

If you are a married or an attached individual seeking to spice up his or her sexual game by engaging in an affair, then Victoria Milan might be the safest site to sign up to.

passion logo Passion.com ★★★★★ i3 Passion.com promises hot dates and steamy encounters for sensual singles all over the world with its interactive and fun features. For casual dating Try Passion.com for free Review ~3,220 members in Canterbury 810 ♀ · 2,420 ♂

Age distribution

18-24██████████20%
25-34██████████24%
35-44██████████18%
45-54██████████15%
55-64██████████13%
65+██████████10%

Key facts

Casual datingHookups
Pricing: High
Share of women: 25%

Passion.com is an interesting adult site with the plethora of features it offers to its users to make sure that their Passion experience is unlike any other. Granted, there is limited usability for free accounts. However, to apply the glass half-empty or half…

Logo iDates ★★★★★ i5 Search for love connections, no matter how near or far at iDates! For casual datingFor fun & flirting Try iDates for free Review ~3,240 members in Canterbury 870 ♀ · 2,370 ♂

Age distribution

18-24██████████20%
25-34██████████23%
35-44██████████17%
45-54██████████16%
55-64██████████13%
65+██████████11%

Key facts

Casual datingFlirtingHookups
Pricing: Average
Share of women: 27%

iDates was created to appeal to both men and women generally between ages 20 and 35 who are fond of meeting new people. You can flirt, and use the entertainment factors on the app with matching functions. iDates is best used for casual dating and hook-ups.

Logo Fling ★★★★★ i3 Find flings and casual dates, whatever your orientation and preference might be, at Fling. For casual dating Try Fling for free Review ~1,080 members in Canterbury 320 ♀ · 760 ♂

Age distribution

18-24██████████23%
25-34██████████30%
35-44██████████20%
45-54██████████14%
55-64██████████9%
65+██████████4%

Key facts

Hookups
Pricing: High
Share of women: 30%

The site is so confident that it'll find a hookup or fling for you that it even guarantees a hook up in 3 months, or else you'll get 3 more months for free. If this dating site interests you, sign up for free today!

Canterbury is small enough that you bump into the same faces, then busy enough that nobody wants to waste a night on a dead chat. That mix suits people who want a quick reply, a clear plan and a date that does not require a long trek across town.

For casual dating, AdultFriendFinder works well if you want something blunt and local enough to get moving quickly, and try AdultFriendFinder if that is your lane. For people over 50, Ourtime fits Canterbury neatly because the city has a settled, mature crowd and not everyone is here for the same student pace. You can read our Ourtime review or see Ourtime.

If you want something discreet, Secret Benefits, Ashley Madison and Illicit Encounters all suit a town where privacy matters and people value a low profile. Check the details in our Secret Benefits review, our Ashley Madison review and our Illicit Encounters review, then decide which setup matches what you actually want.

Canterbury dating is a bit like the city itself: historic on the surface, practical underneath. A lot of people meet through work, study or repeat visits to the same few central spots, so an app helps you widen the circle without making a song and dance about it.

If you are looking for short-term chemistry, C-Date, SDC and Victoria Milan are the obvious fits here. You can read our C-Date review, read our SDC review and read our Victoria Milan review; all three lean into discretion or casual intent, which is usually the point in a town this size.

Think of Canterbury as a place where people still notice if you keep things vague for too long. Say what you want, suggest a time, and stop polishing the message to death.

How people actually date here

The centre is walkable, so the first move is often simple: match online, meet somewhere central, and keep the first drink or coffee short. That works because Canterbury is not the kind of place where people need to build a whole evening around the logistics.

The catch is that the town can feel smaller than the number suggests. If the local pool starts to feel thin, widen the search to Ashford, Maidstone or even Folkestone side by side with Canterbury itself. A 20 to 40 minute radius is often the difference between scrolling and actually meeting someone.

Why these sites fit Canterbury

  • AdultFriendFinder: best if you want a direct short-term setup and do not want endless small talk. Try AdultFriendFinder
  • Ourtime: a good fit if you are over 50 and want a calmer, more age-matched pool. See Ourtime
  • Secret Benefits: useful if you want discretion and a more transactional style of dating. Read the review
  • Ashley Madison: made for people who need privacy first. Read the review
  • C-Date: for casual dates without the pretence. Read the review

Dating around Canterbury gets easier when you widen the map

Canterbury is not a giant city, so nearby towns matter more than they would in London or Manchester. Ashford is close enough for a practical after-work date, while Maidstone, Southend-on-Sea and Basildon add more choice without turning the whole thing into a day trip.

If you want more options, keep Hastings, Dartford, Chelmsford and Colchester in the mix too. That is the sane way to date from Canterbury: local first, then widen when the app gets quiet.

FAQ

How many singles are in Canterbury? About 6,060 singles live in Canterbury, so the pool is decent for a town this size.

Which app is best for casual dating in Canterbury? AdultFriendFinder and C-Date are the clearest short-term options, because they fit the town’s direct, low-drama dating style.

Is Canterbury good for over 50 dating? Yes, and Ourtime is the most natural pick if you want people in a similar life stage.

What if the local pool feels too small? Add nearby towns like Ashford and Maidstone to your search, then keep the app radius a bit wider than you think you need.

Top 8 First-Date Ideas in Canterbury

  1. Canterbury Cathedral precincts: Easy to meet, easy to walk, and it sets a relaxed pace without feeling like a big production.
  2. Westgate Gardens: Quiet enough to talk properly, with a nice walking route if the date goes well.
  3. The River Stour: A simple riverside stroll gives you movement without forcing constant eye contact.
  4. The Marlowe Theatre area: Good for a pre show drink or a tidy evening plan if you want something structured.
  5. St Augustine’s Abbey: Calm, historic and not too hectic, which helps if you both prefer low pressure first meetings.
  6. The King’s Mile: Handy for a coffee or a drink, and central enough that nobody has to travel far.
  7. Dane John Gardens: An easy public meet with enough space to leave if the chemistry is off.
  8. Westgate Towers: One of the most recognisable parts of the city, so it works well as a clear rendezvous point.
Which dating site fits you in Canterbury? Take the quiz →

FAQ

How many singles are in Canterbury?
About 6,060 singles live in Canterbury, so the pool is decent for a town this size.
Which app is best for casual dating in Canterbury?
AdultFriendFinder and C-Date are the clearest short-term options, because they fit the town’s direct, low-drama dating style.
Is Canterbury good for over 50 dating?
Yes, and Ourtime is the most natural pick if you want people in a similar life stage.
What if the local pool feels too small?
Add nearby towns like Ashford and Maidstone to your search, then keep the app radius a bit wider than you think you need.
Founder of DatingScout and Author of the book "Online Dating for Dummies"
Chris founded DatingScout 17 years ago, and today he is one of the leading Online Dating Experts. He is the author of the book "Online Dating for Dummies" and the author of the Internet's largest online dating study analyzing 20 Million Profile Pictures with artificial intelligence. Chris Pleines holds a master degree in media science and appeared in numerous television interviews and publications to give expert advice as well as tips about online dating.

How we calculate these numbers

To estimate roughly how many singles you will find on each portal, we run an elaborate calculation that combines several assumptions. Values from statistics, population figures, the portal's own member numbers and different mathematical distribution methods all feed into this calculation. Please note: our calculated numbers can deviate from the actual regional member counts; that cannot be ruled out. We have optimized the calculation as far as possible so that it produces useful reference values. Deviations can still happen, and we ask for your understanding.