Plymouth has been named one of the UK’s top spots for spring entertaining, as a surge in outdoor gatherings sweeps the nation.
Searches for “garden parties” have risen by 328% as warmer weather and longer evenings encourage people to take celebrations outside, according to new research by insurance provider Protectivity.
The study ranked major UK cities based on factors including garden size, sunshine hours, temperature and noise complaint rates. Plymouth secured second place with an overall score of 83.9 out of 100.
The city performed strongly thanks to a median garden size of 140.8 square metres and an average of 5.8 hours of sunshine per day during spring. It also recorded relatively low levels of noise complaints, suggesting neighbours are more tolerant of outdoor gatherings.
Bournemouth topped the list, followed by Plymouth and Exeter, with south west locations dominating the rankings. Cambridge, Peterborough and Norwich also featured highly, while London placed tenth, with smaller gardens and higher noise sensitivity affecting its score.
The research also found a broader rise in outdoor socialising. Searches for “street parties” have increased by 87% compared with the same period last year, with around 3,000 searches recorded in the past month. Meanwhile, searches for barbecues have risen by 94%, with April identified as their annual peak.
Victoria Parkinson, garden and hosting expert at Arctic Cabins, said: “After months of being cooped up indoors through the grey and the cold, that first spring evening where everyone can actually sit outside without a coat feels like a collective exhale.
“It is a celebration, a chance to shake off the winter and to welcome in the longer, brighter days.”
Victoria added that outdoor settings help create a more relaxed atmosphere.
“Being in the open air, people feel more relaxed so conversation flows a lot more easily, and there is something about the rustle of leaves and the scent of flowers in the background that takes the pressure off,” she said.
She advised hosts to embrace unpredictable weather rather than worry about it.
“A few clouds or a light breeze can add to the charm. Have a basket of cosy blankets ready by the door and maybe a couple of large umbrellas on standby,” Victoria said.
She also recommended keeping decorations simple.
“Just grab a few bunches of seasonal blooms from the supermarket, snip the stems and pop them in mismatched bottles and vintage jugs,” she said.
Providing drinks on arrival can also help set the tone, according to Victoria.
“Have a tray of ready-poured drinks by the entrance… so the second someone walks in, they are handed something. This will break the ice immediately.”
Chris Trotman, underwriting manager at Protectivity, said larger events may require additional planning.
“Outdoor entertaining is one of spring’s biggest joys, and for most people an al-fresco party with friends needs nothing more than good food and a decent playlist,” he said.
“But as soon as events start to scale up… that is when having proper cover in place starts to matter.”
Chris added that event insurance can protect organisers from unexpected costs, particularly when weather disruption forces cancellations.
The full research and methodology can be found at www.protectivity.com.
