Half Of Brits Secretly Hope For Wet Bank Holidays So We Can Watch TV Instead

Much as we might complain loudly about every rainy bank holiday, it turns out that more than half of us are actually hoping for a downpour on our days off.

A survey of 2,000 adults, commissioned by the Met Office as it launches a new weather app, revealed our true feelings on the matter.

More than half (54%) of those questioned said that they would rather it rained on a bank holiday so they have an excuse to stay in.

Binge-watching boxsets and saving money were the two top excuses for dreaming of a grey bank holiday.

Rain comes in handy for getting out of existing plans too, it turns out: 42% of those taking the survey said they had used bad weather as an excuse not to go to a social event, while 22% of us skip shopping in a downpour.

Even our dearest friends cannot compete with the lure of staying in and doing nothing given that more than a quarter (26%) of survey participants said they’ve used rain as an excuse to avoid meeting pals.

Perhaps more understandably, 11% said they’ve used it as an excuse to avoid their in-laws.

Clare Nasir, Met Office meteorologist and presenter, said: “Ahead of the bank holiday, most people around the UK will be talking about their hopes and plans for a long, sunny weekend.

“But our research shows that secretly, many hope for a washout so they have an excuse to do nothing.”

Image: PhotoAlto/REX/Shutterstock