British hobbies I’d keep, try and happily leave to someone else
When I asked viewers what British people do for fun, I got far more suggestions than I could get through. Walking, reading, making models, growing things, going to the pub. Some were already part of my week, while others had never occurred to me as a hobby before moving to England.
This was a collection of replies on Instagram and YouTube in summer 2025, rather than a survey of the whole country. What interested me was how those suggestions compared with what I actually enjoyed doing, and which ones I could realistically try.
A walk, preferably with coffee
Walking came up a lot, which immediately got my approval. Someone suggested a walk in the park followed by a coffee. I’d reverse that order, get the coffee first and take it on the walk. I also love getting into the countryside, especially when the weather is nice.
The names puzzled me a little. Walking, hiking, rambling, what was the difference? One viewer, Paul, described rambling as countryside walks. Another response explained that people use walking for quite a wide range of activity in Britain, including something much more ambitious than a stroll around a park. I was interested in the language as well as the outing.
Photography came up too, sometimes combined with walking. I hadn’t really considered how popular that would be among the responses, but it was another way people connected a hobby with going somewhere outdoors.
Trainspotting was a new idea to me
Trainspotting felt particularly British because it wasn’t something I’d encountered much in my part of Canada. Living in Ontario, I only took the train a handful of times, usually the GO train into Toronto for a concert. I still had to drive to the station and drive home afterwards.
Moving here introduced me to the idea that trains could be a hobby in their own right, and I’ve met plenty of trainspotters since. I can’t claim to be one myself. I’m happy if my train arrives on time, which is probably a less demanding interest.
Reading and games already have my attention
Reading was one of the suggestions that most closely matched my own routine. I put myself to bed early on purpose so I have time for it, and might read for an hour. I’ll try all sorts of genres, often starting a recommended book without even reading the back cover.
I’d also got a Kindle that year, after years of thinking a screen would annoy me. It didn’t. I found myself reading much faster, and I’d been enjoying lots of British authors alongside everything else.
Video games were another familiar hobby, and I don’t agree with treating them as mindless violence. I’d finally completed my first full playthrough of Red Dead Redemption 2 after finding it overwhelming when it first came out. This time I took my time with the extra activities, fishing and hunting. I was crying on the couch when I finished. That is quite a reaction to something people dismiss as stupid.
Small models, large amounts of frustration
Viewers suggested model-making and painting, including railway models and Warhammer. I’d made miniature kits on my livestreams, including a pub, a train carriage and a post-office book nook, so I understood the appeal.
I find them fun and relaxing until a tiny piece refuses to sit exactly where I want it. Then I’m losing my mind over something very small. Knitting and crochet can be a similar mixture. My grandma taught me basic knitting when I was young, and I’d been learning crochet for about two years when I filmed this.
I enjoy having something to make while watching television at the end of the day. My first crocheted animal was cute, although I kind of hated making it. A finished project and an enjoyable process don’t always arrive together.
Liking an idea doesn’t make it accessible
Fishing sounded lovely to me because I’d enjoyed going with my grandpa and had fun deep-sea fishing too. Paddleboarding, which I’d only tried about twice, was also something I’d happily do more often if I lived near suitable water.
At the time, though, I didn’t have a car or somewhere I could walk to with a fishing rod. It wasn’t a hobby I could simply add to my week. I was interested in bouldering as well, but would need somewhere to teach me, and the gym I’d looked at was expensive.
Weightlifting was already something I loved, ideally getting to the gym three or four times a week. I enjoyed pushing myself and reaching the next weight, which felt like levelling up in a video game. That’s one I’d keep alongside reading and crafting, while the fishing rod would have to wait.
No Comments