Britons reveal the top 25 things they love about winter in the UK

Wrapping up and going for a walk, a roaring fire in a country pub and watching a film while it’s raining outside: Britons reveal the top 25 things they love about winter in the UK

• A new poll endeavoured to find out the ‘greatest thing about winter in Britain’ 
• ‘Crisp, wintery walks’ was voted number one, earning 49 per cent of the votes
• Stews, homemade chicken soup and lighting candles are also winter hits 

What’s the nation’s favourite thing to do as temperatures drop and the nights draw in? Wrap up for a bracing stroll, apparently.

That’s according to a recent poll, which sought to discover the ‘greatest thing about winter in Britain’. ‘Crisp, wintery walks’ was voted number one, earning 49 per cent of the vote and topping the 25-place ranking.

The anticipation of Christmas earned the silver medal at 48 per cent, and there was a tie for third place, with ‘a roaring fire in a country pub’ and ‘watching a film while it’s raining outside’ both claiming 42 per cent of the vote.

A walker treks along the Derwent Fells in the Lake District. ‘Crisp, wintery walks’ are the nation’s favourite thing about wintertime in Britain, according to a new survey

Second place in the poll goes to the ‘anticipation of Christmas’. Pictured is a Christmas tree on Waterloo place in London

The cosiness continued in fourth place, with hot buttered toast with a cup of tea and wearing big, thick jumpers both claiming 35 per cent.

Hearty fare has a place in the heart – and tummy – of the nation during the colder months, the survey reveals. A roast every Sunday is beloved by many (5th, 34 per cent), followed by a generous serving of apple crumble with custard (6th, 31 per cent).

Other gastronomic hits include stews and pies (joint 7th, 30 per cent), pub lunches (joint 14th, 20 per cent), and homemade chicken soup (joint 14th, 20 per cent). The smell of mulled wine topped off this wintery feast in 17th place (16 per cent).

‘A roaring fire in a country pub’ came joint third in the ranking of things that Britons love about wintertime

‘Watching a film while it’s raining outside’ also came third in the poll, which surveyed 1,500 Britons

The survey, which was commissioned by Southern Sheeting and polled 1,500 people, pinpointed other outdoor activity hits, too. Trundling across frosty grass on a morning dog walk (12th, 24 per cent), wrapping up in scarves, hats and gloves (joint 11th, 25 per cent) and seeing your breath on a cold day (15th, 19 per cent) each made the ranking. 

Spotting a feathered friend during these outdoor adventures is an added bonus – ‘seeing your first red robin’ won over 27 per cent of those polled (joint 9th).

Staying indoors proved just as popular. Watching ‘wintery movies’ claimed 30 per cent of the vote (joint 7th), lighting candles earned 28 per cent (8th) and ‘staying in all weekend and not feeling guilty’ swayed 27 per cent of voters (joint 9th).

A ‘roast every Sunday’ was beloved by 34 per cent of those polled and ranked in 5th place 

The smell of mulled wine landed in 17th place in the poll. Pictured is a mulled wine stand in London’s Borough Market 

Cuddling up to your partner at night to keep warm came joint 10th with 26 per cent of the vote, and during winter weekends, many opt to stay in bed the following morning with a good book (16th, 18 per cent). 

Fending off the chill, hot water bottles (13th, 22 per cent), turning the heating up (joint 10th, 26 per cent), hot bubble baths (joint 11th, 25 per cent) and electric blankets (18th, 10 per cent) have charmed the nation.

The study also found that 48 per cent of Brits admitted they genuinely enjoy ‘winter-proofing’ their homes every year, by getting their boiler serviced, having their roof checked and getting their gardens ready for bad weather.

‘Seeing your first red robin’ came 9th in the poll, and earned 27 per cent of the vote

Meanwhile, 97 per cent of them said they love the feeling of being warm and dry in their homes when the winter kicks in, and 61 per cent admitted they ‘nest’ during winter months.

On top of that, 84 per cent admitted they secretly like the fact that the winter months give them an excuse to stay inside more often than usual.

The data also revealed that 89 per cent of those polled love the fact that winter means being at home more and therefore getting to spend extra time with their families.

THE GREATEST THINGS ABOUT WINTER IN BRITAIN  

1. Crisp, wintery walks – 49 per cent 

2. The anticipation of Christmas – 48 per cent 

3 = A roaring fire in a country pub – 42 per cent 

3 = Watching a film while it’s raining outside – 42 per cent

4 = Hot buttered toast with a cup of tea – 35 per cent

4 = Big, thick jumpers – 35 per cent

5. A roast every Sunday – 34 per cent

6. Apple crumble with custard – 31 per cent

7 = Stews and pies – 30 per cent

7 = Wintery movies – 30 per cent

8. Lighting candles – 28 per cent

9 = Staying in all weekend and not feeling guilty – 27 per cent 

9 = Seeing your first red robin – 27 per cent

Source: Southern Sheeting survey

 10 = Turning the heating up – 26 per cent

10 = Cuddling up to your partner at night to keep warm – 26 per cent 

11 = Scarves, hats and gloves – 25 per cent

11 = Hot bubble baths – 25 per cent 

12. Frosty grass on a morning dog walk – 24 per cent 

13. Hot water bottles – 22 per cent

14 = Pub lunches – 20 per cent

14 = Home-made chicken soup – 20 per cent

15. Seeing your breath on a cold day – 19 per cent

16. Lying in with a good book at the weekend – 18 per cent

17. The smell of mulled wine – 16 per cent 

18. Electric blankets – 10 per cent

And 26 per cent revealed that, when winter is over, they miss the cosiness that the season brings.

Tony Hobbs, Managing Director of Southern Sheeting said: ‘It’s great to see so much excitement about winter months, and all the small things that the nation loves about the season, from eating comfort food, having lazy days at home, and nesting by ensuring homes are ready for winter.

‘We all know the elements can take their toll on our homes during the colder months, but it’s important to spot any problems early on so you can plan to fix them. That way you can rest easy and truly enjoy all the other wonderful features of winter like going for a walk on a cold crisp day and cooking up a Sunday roast in the warmth of your home.’

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