What are Britons’ simple pleasures?

Some simply named ‘cake’ as one of their favourite simple pleasures

Feeling the sun on your face came out at number one (Getty Images)

Britons have revealed the top 50 ‘simple pleasures’ in life – including hearing nothing but birds tweeting, a cup of coffee in bed – and having dinner made for you.

In total, 2,000 adults were asked to determine all the little things that bring people joy.

Sleeping in a big comfy bed, receiving a compliment from a stranger, and having a good hair day all feature in the list.

Other favourites include a roaring fire, getting a cuddle from your children and sitting in a pub’s beer garden.

The poll was commissioned by Small Luxury Hotels of the World and found more than three in 10 adults simply named ‘cake’ as one of their favourite simple pleasures, while a quarter love a gossip with friends.

A few said they enjoy seeing older couples holding hands, and just under one in five enjoy exercise enough to put it on their list.

Going on a bike ride, meeting new people – and wearing a new pair of socks for the first time all appeared in the top 50.

But people in the UK said they only enjoy an average of six moments of simple pleasure each week – not quite one a day.

Apparently the satisfaction of a moment’s pleasure can last for upwards of 22 minutes on average.

However, half of those polled, via OnePoll, believe they don’t get to enjoy life’s simplest pleasures often enough for their liking.

While some say they don’t have enough time in their day-to-day to take advantage as much as they should.

A few put this down to work commitments taking up most of their time, while others think being a parent has left them with less time to enjoy simple pleasures, although they also appreciate it more when they do.

Richard Hyde, managing director, Small Luxury Hotels of the World said: “Our list found many of life’s pleasures are ones often found on holiday, such as seeing a stunning view, waking up to sunshine, taking long walks and discovering new places.

“It’s on our travels that we’re able to experience an abundance of life’s simple pleasures which have a longer lasting effect on us.

“Now that it looks as though coronavirus restrictions are starting to slowly lift, we’re hoping people will be able to enjoy some of these pleasures at home and abroad before too much longer.”

SWNS