A look at some of Britain's popular hobbies
Hobbies are a way to escape the real world and have some time away from the stressors of everyday life. From work to University, we all need a hobby to keep us busy in our spare time and have something to relish and look forward to. The British population has a variety of hobbies they enjoy, some more popular than others. Whether you have a hobby, you are looking for a new one, or perhaps you are just curious to see what the population of Britain get up to in their spare time, take a look at some of the most popular hobbies in Britain below.
Watching and Playing Sports
Football is one of the biggest and most popular sports in Britain, as well as in the world. There is probably not a soul in Britain who hasn’t watched or played football at least once. Many towns and cities have their own sports centres with badminton courts, table tennis tables and basketball courts to name a few. Also, with schools promoting healthy lifestyles, most children will participate in a sport, or even have a place on a town or county team.
As Britain is home to many beautiful landscapes, there are many other activities that can be enjoyed in the Great Outdoors. The Lake District is one of many places to enjoy peace and tranquillity, where British people enjoy walking, climbing and for the brave, fell running.
However, not everyone wants to participate in sports themselves. But with sporting events such as Wimbledon and the Olympic Games having millions of British viewers, it is clear to see that sports hold a dear place in many a Brit’s heart.
Gambling
Us Brits love a good gamble, with online casinos and betting apps being some of the most popular ways to do so. As sports are so popular in Britain, gambling is likely to follow as fans love supporting their own team and placing a cheeky bet. Bingo is another hobby that Brits love, online and in bingo halls, and this is a hobby for all ages and abilities. There is a casino within almost every city in Britain, as this hobby becomes more and more popular. Being able to place a bet with the touch of a button really has brought gambling up on the list of the most popular hobbies. With websites such as Stakers offering sports betting as well as cards and casino games, gambling has never been easier or more fun. This sort of gambling means you can even bet in-play, being part of the action as it unfolds.
Reading
One that many people put on their CVs as a hobby, reading is surprisingly up there as one of the top hobbies with us British folk. Although with the distraction of technology, reading is not as popular as it used to be, it is still very much one of the favourite hobbies of many. With the likes of electronic book devices such as Kindles, reading has never been easier and more convenient. Everyone should always make time for a little reading and it is a great distraction from technology. Experts say reading can keep your brain young, reduce stress levels and improve your muscle memory. Keep that in mind the next time it’s your turn to read the kids their bedtime story.
Watching Television
The nation loves watching and talking about television. With shows such as The X Factor and I’m A Celebrity still being popular after over a decade, television is a British hobby that was obviously going to make the cut (no pun intended). With Sky and Netflix joining forces, it’s never been easier to watch what we want, when we want, with no fuss. With the added extra of being able to follow our favourite TV programmes on social media platforms, television continues to become more and more gripping. Most people will have had a conversation at work about what they watched on TV the night before, and if you haven’t yet, you’re one of only a few. As television is a way to socialise and spend time with family and friends whilst relaxing on the sofa, it won’t be leaving this list anytime soon.
Computers and Gaming
We all know Britain nowadays is overrun by technology. We use technology every day, from our mobile phones to our game consoles; for many, technology is their new-found hobby. Xboxes and PlayStations are all the rage, with millions of households in Britain owning at least one games console. Games such as Fortnite are known all over the world and Britain is no exception. Many of us head home from work, kick our shoes off and load up our consoles, choosing to play online with our friends or solo role-playing games. Even the older generation have started gaming with tons of them now taking advantage of browser-based games, as well as mobile games they can play while watching television. Plus, with the ability to write, draw and even make music on a computer, technology is shaping our hobbies into something new and amazing.
Collecting Things
This is a very wide subject as there are so many things that we collect in Britain. As the times change, so do the things we collect. It is not rare to see the older generation with a collection of crockery or teapots, while the youth of today tend to collect things such as football cards and Lego sets. Some of the most popular items us Brits like to collect are stamps and coins. There are specialist auctions throughout Britain for these collectors, with stamps going for prices you would never dream imaginable.
You more than likely partake in at least one of the hobbies listed above as a Brit, although this is not an exhaustive list. There are many more fun and enriching hobbies, but us Brits do tend to stick to our ways and we love a good bit of TV at the end of a long day at work or school.