Explore Britain

Entertainment and Leisure

Picture: Street entertainer in a Glasgow shopping centre Overseas Press and Picture Service

The most common leisure activities among people in the United Kingdom are home-based, or social, such as entertaining or visiting relatives and friends. Watching television is by far the most popular leisure pastime; about 97% of households have a colour television set. Other regular pastimes include listening to the radio and to recorded music, reading books (6 out of 10 people are members of public libraries). Gardening and do-it-yourself home improvements. Purchases of compact discs have risen rapidly, and the proportion of households with a compact disc player has increased from 15% in 1989 to 63% today.

 In 1999 UK residents took an estimated 134 million trips within the UK. Most popular destinations were the West Country, eastern England, Scotland and Wales. UK residents made over 53 million visits overseas with Spain the most popular destination, followed by France. Long-haul holidays are growing in popularity, especially Central and South America and the Caribbean. In November 1994 the first draw of the UK's National Lottery took place. Since then, its popularity among British people has surpassed all expectations. The lottery generates funds for many sporting, cultural and charitable causes.

 

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