Want to take up a new hobby? Turn on the TV first

WITH the long summer nights and glorious warm weather, now is the perfect time to take up a new hobby.

But, while many of us may once have been inspired by the sunny evenings to take up a sport or seek adventure, it now seems that television is leading us to new pastimes.

According to a survey by AXA Insurance, nearly a fifth of Scots say that television programmes such as Strictly Come Dancing and The Great British Bake Off have encouraged them to take up something new. Sporting events such as the Tour de France also inspire people to try something different.

The survey revealed that 95 per cent of British adults have some kind of hobby, including baking, gardening, adrenaline sports and gaming. Most of those surveyed said they practised hobbies for fun, or for health reasons, or to meet new people.

While reading and cycling rank among our favourite pursuits, other traditional hobbies such as football are being replaced by activities such as gaming and coding. Running and gardening are also popular, along with cooking and baking.

The study found that a third of Scots give more time to their hobbies than their social lives, whilst one in seven spend more time on their pastimes than they do their partners.

And it is not just time that people invest in their hobbies, with the average person spending £46.61 per month and owning around £373 worth of equipment.

Despite being a nation of enthusiastic hobbyists, 61 per cent of people say that they have given up at least one activity in recent years.

Lifestyle changes appear to be the main reason for this, with many saying that having a child or changing job has left them less time to enjoy leisure pursuits.

Jyoti Bird from AXA Insurance said: ‘People take inspiration from all sorts of places when it comes to their hobbies.

‘From the Tour de France to The Great British Bake Off, watching experts and celebs clearly inspires us to try something new and expand our horizons.’