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Home / Dating Reading

Dating Reading: Big enough to browse, small enough to keep running into the same faces

About 35,000 singles live in Reading, among about 320,000 people, so the pool is decent without feeling anonymous. That matters here, because a first drink in town can turn into a name you hear again at the station or in town centre queues. If you want variety, you usually start online and widen the search towards the nearby towns fast.
35,000singles in Reading
What are you looking for in Reading?

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 ~19,100 members in Reading 4,390 ♀ · 14,700 ♂

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 ~19,000 members in Reading 7,600 ♀ · 11,400 ♂

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 ~18,900 members in Reading 4,730 ♀ · 14,200 ♂

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 ~7,260 members in Reading 2,690 ♀ · 4,570 ♂

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 ~18,800 members in Reading 5,640 ♀ · 13,200 ♂

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 ~18,100 members in Reading 7,240 ♀ · 10,900 ♂

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 ~9,960 members in Reading 3,290 ♀ · 6,670 ♂

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 ~18,500 members in Reading 9,810 ♀ · 8,700 ♂

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 ~18,200 members in Reading 7,280 ♀ · 10,900 ♂

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 ~18,600 members in Reading 7,440 ♀ · 11,200 ♂

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 ~18,700 members in Reading 9,350 ♀ · 9,350 ♂

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 ~70 members in Reading 20 ♀ · 50 ♂

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 ~9,910 members in Reading 3,960 ♀ · 5,950 ♂

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 ~18,300 members in Reading 4,580 ♀ · 13,700 ♂

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 ~18,400 members in Reading 4,970 ♀ · 13,400 ♂

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 ~6,360 members in Reading 1,910 ♀ · 4,450 ♂

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!

Reading sits in that awkward sweet spot. Big enough that you are not stuck with one local circle, small enough that a bad first date can still feel oddly public. That is why radius search does real work here, especially if you are happy to cross into Bracknell, Maidenhead or Woking.

For short term dating, the strongest fits are Ashley Madison, Adultfriendfinder and C-Date. Ashley Madison is the obvious pick if discretion matters. Adultfriendfinder works when you want a wider adult crowd and less pretending. C-Date suits people who want casual dating without dragging it into a long conversation first. Go to Ashley Madison Try Adultfriendfinder See C-Date

For something longer term, Ourtime is the cleanest recommendation if you are dating over 50, while Secret Benefits is for people who know they want a sugar arrangement and do not want to waste time pretending otherwise. Reading has enough commuters, professionals and returners to make both work, but neither is a volume game. See Ourtime Try Secret Benefits

Offline, Reading dating is shaped by movement. People drift in from the Thames Valley, they leave after work, and a lot of first meetings happen around the station, the Oracle or the bits of the centre that are easy to reach and easy to escape from. That gives the city a practical feel. No one wants a trek for a coffee date that might last forty minutes.

If you are dating in Reading, be honest about the maths. The town gives you enough choice for a proper search, but the better move is usually to treat the surrounding belt as part of the same pool. That is what keeps things from getting stale.

Where singles in Reading actually meet

The useful pattern is simple. Browse online, pick a decent first meeting spot in town, then keep an eye on Oxford, Slough and Guildford when the local pool feels thin. Reading works best when you stop acting like the market ends at the town sign.

  • Reading station area for quick after work meets
  • The Oracle for easy coffee, drinks and people who are already out
  • Town centre for low effort first dates that do not need planning gymnastics
  • River Thames walks when you want something calmer than a bar
  • Caversham if you want a slightly slower pace without leaving town

What dating in Reading feels like

Reading is commuter country, so dating here has a clock on it. People are busy, trains matter, and nobody wants a needlessly long round trip for a first meeting. That usually pushes people towards direct messages, clear plans and dates that start on time. It is not flashy. It is efficient, which is often better.

You also get a mix of ages and intentions. There are plenty of younger professionals, plenty of people who moved here for work, and plenty of locals who know exactly how small the social world can feel if you only stay in one lane. That is why a site like Ourtime can make sense for older daters, while the short term options are better if you want less ceremony and more choice. See Ourtime Go to Victoria Milan

Nearby towns worth including

Do not treat Reading as a closed pond. The nearby search radius is part of the point. Dating in Bracknell, dating in Maidenhead, dating in Basingstoke and dating in High Wycombe all help if you want a wider pool without making the whole thing a London commute.

Further out, dating in Slough, dating in Woking, dating in Guildford and dating in Oxford give you extra range when you need it. That is the practical Reading move: use the town, but do not let the town box you in.

Top 8 First Date Ideas in Reading

  1. The Oracle: Easy to reach, easy to leave, and there are enough cafes and riverside spots to keep it relaxed.
  2. Reading station: Good if you both want a quick meet after work without turning the evening into a project.
  3. Town centre: Straightforward for drinks or coffee, and nobody needs a complicated plan.
  4. River Thames: A walk gives you space to talk without sitting under bright lights for an hour.
  5. Caversham: Calmer than the centre, which helps if you want a slower first date.
  6. Forbury Gardens: Public, central and simple, so it works when you want low pressure and daylight.
  7. Kennet and Avon Canal: Good for a longer walk if the conversation is actually going somewhere.
  8. Southcote: Useful for a quieter meet when you both want something less busy than the centre.
Which dating site fits you in Reading? Take the quiz →

FAQ

How many singles are there in Reading?
About 35,000 singles live in Reading, so there is enough choice for regular dating without pretending it is London.
Which dating sites work best in Reading?
For short term dating, Ashley Madison, Adultfriendfinder and C-Date fit best. For over 50s, Ourtime is the cleaner fit.
Is Reading good for discreet dating?
Yes, because it is busy enough to give you some cover, but small enough that you should still be smart about where you meet and how quickly you move.
Should I search only in Reading?
No. Reading works better if you include nearby towns like Bracknell, Maidenhead and Guildford, because the extra radius makes the pool feel much less repetitive.
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.