How do British people spend their free time?

British people spend their free time in a lot of different ways. They do sport, they watch sport, they visit interesting places, and they have hobbies.

British teenagers asked “What do you do in your free time?” would most likely answer that they like watching television, listening to music, surfing on the Internet, skating, rollerblading, playing rugby or tennis.

Many of these activities are practised by young people in other countries as well.

But what are the top leisure activities in Britain?

The most popular activity for British people outside their own home is going to the pub. Over the last 10 or 20 years pubs have changed a lot. People don’t just go to the pub for a drink. Almost all pubs serve meals nowadays, and many pubs have live music, karaoke competitions and quiz nights.

               

Very popular forms of spending spare time are also going to a restaurant and, especially in the case of young people, going out for fast food. The number of fast food restaurant in Britain has increased about ten times since 1982.

               

And what is after fast food?

Other very popular free time activities include going to the library and cinema. 

  

Many people visit historical buildings too. This is Kingston Lacy, a beautiful 17^th century house with lovely gardens. 

Nearby is Corfe Castle. It’s a fortification standing above the village of the same name on the Isle of Purbeck in the English county of Dorset. It was built by William the Conqueror and is over 1000 years old. 

Art galleries and art museums receive a great deal of attention as well. 

This is the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford. The Aushmolean is the oldest museum in Britain and it has been part of the University of Oxford  since 1683. 200,000 people visit this museum every year. Like many museums in Britain, admission is free.

What other places the British people like to visit?

Almost 3 million people visit Alton Towers every year.  

Originally a private estate, Alton Towers grounds opened to the public in 1860 to raise funds for the estate. In the late 20th century, it was transformed into a theme park and opened a number of new rides from 1980 onwards. In 2016 it was the second most visited theme park in the UK after Legoland Windsor.

Then, there is Madame Tussauds - a wax museum in London displaying the waxworks of famous and historic people and also popular film characters. 

But what do the British do at home in their free time? Well, listening to the radio is popular, so is reading. People also spend a lot of time visiting or entertaining their friends and family. But the most popular activity, you’ve guessed it, is watching TV.

Sport is also important in Britain. But what sport is the number one? Is it football, cricket, rugby, or something else? 

Before we answer this question, let’s have a look at some famous sporting venues. Are you ready? Okay, on your marks, get set, go!

This is Wembley (London), the scene of some great football matches.

All tennis player want to win the tournament at Wimbledon. 

Saint Andrews in Scotland is the home of golf.

Henley, on the river Thames, is the centre of the world of rowing.

And in London, there is Lord's Cricket Ground. It’s the headquarters of the game of cricket, the most British sport. 

The above-presented sporting venues suggest what sports British people like best. Apart from these disciplines, however, very popular are also horse racing, motor racing and rugby.


Sport isn’t only for experts, of course! All over Britain, more and more people are taking up different sports and activities. Swimming, for example, is very popular. Lots of people also go cycling. But the most popular sport in Britain is walking. It is estimated that about 40 % of British people go walking. A very popular walk is along the Pennine way, and it’s 412 km long. Of course, not everybody walks from the start to the finish :-P 

As you can see, it is impossible to get bored in Britain! People have many interesting ways of spending their free time. Which one of them do you like best? ;-)