Everyone needs them, everyone has at least one treasured one – we’re talking about hobbies of course. The UK is well known to have created many beloved ones, especially when it comes to sports like football and cricket. Thus, it comes as no surprise that 95% of the nation spends at least one day a week on hobbies as per AXA’s past report. If you’re wondering what the favoured trending pastimes of the Brits are, and why, be sure to keep reading.
Online Gaming
It’s pretty predictable that gaming is at the top of our list as it encompasses a huge range of genres. First off we have to address the trend of the digitisation of analogue games, which has transported hundreds of traditional games to the big (or small!) screen.
For instance, nowadays players can go online instead of going to their local brick-and-mortar casino and play Megaways™ Slot Games with quirky titles like Buffalo Mania and Power Fishing on their phone browser. Now more accessible than ever, games like this are a modern recreation of classic fruit slot machines that you can still find at your local casino.
We also have to mention modern games that range from AAA RPGs to charming indie farming simulations. Typically such games require a console or a gaming PC to be enjoyed, which may deter some as they can be on the pricier side.
According to ExplodingTopics, the UK has the second-highest number of gamers, with Japan having the highest. This is only expected to grow in the future, as more and more people fall in love with games and the stories they tell.
Gardening
It’s all fun and games when it comes to hobbies, and a surprising has been on the rise – gardening. As per the Independent research released in 2023, the hobby is trending particularly with the younger generation. And we can fully see the appeal, there’s nothing quite like getting your hands dirty and seeing the fruit of your labour in such a tangible way.
Of course, there are certain challenges, such as not having enough space or having to deal with possible pests, but there are plenty of ways to go around this. From placing pots next to your windowsill to stocking up on pesticides like neem oil, when there’s a will there’s a way.
Even if you are not a pro, there are hardy plants like cacti and spider plants that can help with a green thumb deficiency. Moreover, we can’t forget that gardening is extremely therapeutic and beneficial for your mental health. It also is great for your physical health as plants purify the air around you.
Reading
At one point, it seemed as if reading was a dying hobby, at least that was what many said due to the rise of social media. Luckily it is no longer the case, and we have many reasons to be thankful for that. First, we have audiobooks, that have made it easier than ever to consume books whilst commuting or doing various chores.
Moreover, the creation of e-readers like the Kindle has also made reading simpler. Rather than lugging about multiple books depending on your mood, you have one portable lightweight device that can carry thousands. And with the rise of BookTok, a subcommunity of TikTok, creators are now using their platforms to share their favourite books.
However, there is one caveat to this exceptional hobby: the soaring cost of books. This can be attributed to inflation and the monopoly of multinational e-commerce companies, which have forced many bookstores out of business. But, there are always local libraries and even subscription-based options like Kindle Unlimited to combat that.
