South Warwickshire’s tourism body, Shakespeare’s England, has unveiled ways that the Gen Z generation can combat loneliness this Christmas - after new research has revealed that 16 to 29-year-olds are the loneliest group of people in the UK.

In September a study estimated 38 per cent of 16 to 29-year-olds said they felt lonely often, always or some of the time, followed by 27 per cent of 30 to 49-year-olds, 24 per cent of 50 to 69-year-olds and 19 per cent aged over 70.

Gen Z has also topped the Office for National Statistics’ loneliness rankings over the past four months.

Darren Tosh, Operations and Marketing Director at Shakespeare’s England, said: “These research findings are a sobering reminder that loneliness can affect anyone, and for many different reasons. We hope that our suggestions will prove useful for those wanting to seek out ways that they can meet new people - particularly among younger adults - during the festive period, when loneliness tends to come to the fore.”

Join the Stratford Town Walk which takes place 365 days a year - including Christmas Day

Combine fresh air, exercise and good company by joining a fascinating guided tour discovering historic Stratford-upon-Avon. People of all ages and nationalities visit Stratford as one of their ‘must see’ destinations. Explore iconic landmarks and hidden gems, not forgetting the Shakespeare connection.  

If you are looking for the darker side of Stratford’s history, don’t miss the Stratford Town Ghost Walk, but, don’t look behind you!

For more information, prices and booking click here

Socialise with friendly moggies at Shakespaw Cat Café

Animal interaction can be a great way to ease loneliness, and this vintage café, which is popular with solo guests, provides visitors with the unique opportunity to enjoy classic café food and drink - including afternoon tea - in the company of some of their resident moggies. 

It has had more than 1,200 ‘excellent’ reviews on Tripadvisor, and alongside having resident cats, the café also works with the charity Peppers Pet Rescue to rehome cats that come into their care, and has seen them re-home more than 50 cats.

Guests are advised to book their 80-minute slot - with an admission fee of £6 per person - at the website.

Receive a guided tour of the Cotswolds that is popular with solo travellers

Take a break from driving by joining the Christmas in the Cotswolds tour - combining picturesque Cotswold villages with Christmas markets, festivals or shopping events. The tours - which are popular with solo travellers - are hosted by award-winning, family-run guided tour company, Go Cotswolds, and run on selected dates between Saturday 23 November and Sunday 15 December from Stratford-upon-Avon and Moreton-in-Marsh, with prices from £70 per adult, and £60 per child.

There is also a separate tour to Bath’s famous Christmas market, stopping at the pretty village of Castle Combe, which is in The Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Tours run daily from Stratford-upon-Avon and Moreton-in-Marsh between 28th November to 15th December, with prices from £80 per adult and £70 per child.

See the inner workings of the carbon neutral Shakespeare Distillery, which celebrates its tenth birthday in 2025

Discover how gin and rum is made, learn about its history, and experience the many different ingredients they use. The tour is followed by a tutored tasting of at least three Shakespeare Distillery spirits, finishing with a Gin & Tonic or Rum & Mixer (for those aged 18 and over only).

The tours are popular with international tourists, and have received nearly 1,400 ‘excellent’ Tripadvisor reviews.

The tour lasts for around 90 minutes, and is £19.50 per adult. More details here