There’s something so satisfying about building a new friendship. Whether they’re a fellow gym-goer you got talking to or someone who attends the same book club, learning about another person and developing a new bond is certainly one of life’s greatest pleasures.

However, unfortunately for us, these moments are growing fewer and fewer. Whether it’s to do with our busy schedules or growing commutes, less of us are taking the time to interact with new people; according to 2018 research by the Campaign to End Loneliness, over half of UK adults haven’t made a new friend in a long time.

But among these slightly depressing statistics there is still hope to be found. The same research found that almost nine in 10 UK adults believe that small moments of connection – such as being able to make small talk on the bus or simply smiling at another person – are a valuable way of tackling loneliness.

The friendliest cities in the UK have been revealed, and it’s not good news for London