Fun-loving British adults have been counting the days until the lockdown reunites them with their “happy place”.
And new research has revealed the country’s most popular visitor attraction or venue – Kew Gardens in London.
The public has longed to visit their “happy place” since the outbreak of the pandemic, and new insights from the National Lottery – ahead of Open Week and Cinema Weekend – show how much we missed our favorite spots.
Over eight in ten UK adults (81 percent) missed their “happy spot” during the lockdown, with nearly half (45 percent) saying they missed the UK countryside the most.
Cultural heritage sites such as castles and gardens with historical value were just in second place with 33 percent, almost a third of us (31 percent) missed theaters or cinemas like nowhere else.
And it is Kew Gardens that tops the charts as the # 1 Happy Place in the UK, with well over one in ten British adults (15 percent) believing that this is where they are most comfortable.
Cornwall’s The Eden Project ranked second at 13 percent, with the same number saying that Wales’ Snowdonia National Park is where they consider their “happy place”.
The capital’s Natural History Museum is the top visitor attraction for 12 percent of respondents, with the British Museum, Bath’s Roman Baths, ZSL London Zoo, and Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park also making the list.
The study was commissioned to celebrate this month’s National Lottery Open Week (June 5-13) and National Lottery Cinema Weekend (June 19-20) for the £ 30 million donated each week to good causes to be collected.
British swimming star Daniel Jervis was another famous face who was relieved to return to his “happy place” after the lockdown
(Image: Tom Oldham)
And Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive of the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Chair of the National Lottery Forum, said, “Today, more than ever, people are looking forward to rediscovering their happy place or finding a new one close by. We pride ourselves on the fact that so many incredible places in the arts, film, heritage, sports, and community have signed up to say thanks.
“The National Lottery Open Week and National Lottery Cinema Weekend are truly exciting times of the year for us, with an amazing variety of venues and projects across the UK thanking the National Lottery players for the £ 30 million each week they donate to collect a good cause. “
The iconic Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland was the top attraction on people’s bucket list. 13 percent of us said it was the place we would most like to visit in the future.
The County Antrim venue is also Northern Ireland’s most popular venue, with wider National Lottery results showing how eager we will be to get back on the road when restrictions wear off.
Just under half of us (48 percent) developed a greater appreciation for the UK’s visitor attractions, cultural sites, history and art during the pandemic, with over half (57 percent) intending to visit their happy place as early as possible.
More than half of British adults (55 percent) associate their “happy places” with childhood, with two-thirds (66 percent) taking their children to their “happy place” in the hope that they will have as much fun there as they do herself.
And value for money (44 percent) and fun (37 percent) are what people look for most at their favorite attraction or location. 53 percent prefer to visit these places with their partner and 31 percent would like to visit these places with their partner children.
Exactly a quarter would prefer to go to their “happy place” with friends, although the average time people at 14 felt a special connection to a certain attraction.
The National Lottery hired photographer Tom Oldham to create a series of portraits celebrating people returning to their happy places, including double Olympic gold medalist Nicola Adams, former England star John Barnes and British swimming ace Daniel Jervis.
Continue reading
On the subject of matching items
Continue reading
On the subject of matching items
And Lottery Secretary John Whittingdale added, “I’m delighted to see so many ‘happy places’ like Kew Gardens, the Natural History Museum and the Eden Project that are now reopening for people to enjoy again.
“The National Lottery Open Week is a great way to thank players who add so much to our cultural fabric each week and to highlight that our heritage and tourism sectors are back open for business as we head out on what promises to be a great British summer. “
As a thank you for the £ 30 million its players raise for good causes each week, The National Lottery is offering a “Ticket to Your Happy Place” with special offers and free entry during the National Lottery Open Week June 5-13 and The . on the National Lottery Cinema Weekend 19.-20. June. More information is available at www.nationallotteryunlocked.com