Do British houses have backyards?

Number and size. In Britain there are over 10 million back gardens. British planning require minimum distances between the rear faces of adjacent dwellings and so there is usually space for a back garden of some sort.

What do British people call the back yard?

A backyard, or back yard (known in the United Kingdom as a back garden or just garden), is a yard at the back of a house, common in suburban developments in the Western world.

Is backyard American or British?

In American English you use the term backyard as in the area behind the house. To call it a garden is incorrect as many Americans have patios and pools and other things, not necessarily plants.

What percentage of UK households have a garden?

1) 87% of UK households have a garden

However, this did mean that 1 in 8 individuals had no access to a private outdoor space at this time, which increased to 1 in 5 households in London, which was the area where homeowners were least likely to have a garden.

Why don t British houses have basements?

Some older properties do have basements, but you won't find them very frequently in homes built since the 1960s. Why? Cost is one factor, but also many parts of the UK have a high flood risk, which makes deep pile foundations unsuitable.

Confusing Things About British Homes - Anglophenia Ep 28

Is it illegal to have a basement in the UK?

Whether you need planning permission for basement building at all depends on where you live, your property, and what exactly you're looking to build. If you're just looking to convert your existing basement, it is possible that you won't need any permission, unless the outside appearance of your home is being altered.

Are American houses bigger than UK?

Overall house size in the UK vs the US

The average house size in the UK is 818 sqft (square feet). Compare that to the average house in the US at 2,164 sqft and you can see that things really are bigger in the US. For many Americans moving to the UK, the space difference can be shocking.

Why do Brits like gardening?

Others enjoy gardening because plants can brighten up a home or a garden (63 per cent) or find it therapeutic to watch something grow. And 66 per cent want to do more fruit and vegetable growing from seeds and plants to keep themselves fed.

Does a garden add value to a house UK?

Back in 2020 the post office conducted a study and found that a landscaped garden could add up to 77% to the value of your property! Unsure whether your home can match that increased value, simply ask us to, “value my house” and see for yourself!

Why is gardening so popular in UK?

Gardening provided people with a sanctuary that could give them their daily dose of green. With the use of YouTube Brits have turned to watching videos on gardening and have become addicted. Gardening had helped those who usually had an active lifestyle and needed to do something to channel the pent-up energy.

What do the English call a garden?

The words yard, court, and Latin hortus (meaning "garden", hence horticulture and orchard), are cognates—all referring to an enclosed space. The term "garden" in British English refers to a small enclosed area of land, usually adjoining a building. This would be referred to as a yard in American English.

Do Brits say sidewalk?

In the US, the word sidewalk refers to a paved path that people can walk along the side of a road. In the UK, the words pavement or footpath are more likely to be used instead.

Does garden mean yard in England?

In the UK, a garden is what's called a yard in the US — any bit of land just outside of a house. The phrase "garden variety" means "ordinary:" "Oh he's just a garden variety mixed-breed dog, nothing fancy."

Why do British people say garden instead of backyard?

It is just difference in definition that has changed in America over 250 years. In the UK a Garden is an area close to or around the house, mainly of open soil that can be growing anything from simply lawn to fully cultivated flower and vegetable plots.

What do British people call driveways?

A driveway (also called drive in UK English) is a type of private road for local access to one or a small group of structures, and is owned and maintained by an individual or group.

What is backyard in Old English?

It's been in use since the 1600s, combining back and yard, from the Old English geard, "enclosure, garden, or court."

What brings down the value of a house UK?

Property Damage

The condition of your home will have a real impact on its value. From major structural issues to discolouration from cigarette smoke to the wear and tear inflicted by pets, a home that looks worse for wear can quickly lose value. The good news is that this can often be easily rectified.

What adds most value to a house UK?

What doesn't add value to a house UK?

Removing a spare bedroom in an attempt to create a large wardrobe is “never” a smart decision, according to the property development experts. This is because people are more likely to appreciate a spare room or another space to utilise for an office instead of having a huge walk-in wardrobe.

What country is best for gardening?

Australia has the highest level (45%) of daily or weekly gardening among all countries measured. China came in second (36%), followed by Mexico, the US, and Germany – all of which had levels of over one-third.

Do Age UK have gardeners?

Our friendly gardeners can help tend to your garden - all year round!

Who is the British gardening personality?

Montagu Denis Wyatt Don OBE VMH (born George Montagu Don; 8 July 1955) is a British horticulturist, broadcaster, and writer who is best known as the lead presenter of the BBC gardening television series Gardeners' World.

Why do British homes have doors on every room?

Open planned homes are not common but many people have gotten accustomed to this and really like the homes this way. There is a fire safety code that states that there must be a door between each room. Also to save money, its best to close the doors to rooms you do not want to heat in the winter.

Why do English homes not have closets?

At the time historical homes were built, most individuals didn't own more than a few articles of clothing, greatly reducing the need for closet storage. The few items they did own were usually folded and placed in a trunk or a chest of drawers (also called a “clothes press”), or hung from a hook on the wall.

Is it better to live in a flat or a house UK?

Flats tend to appreciate less than houses, as they have less land value and potential for improvement. Flats may also offer less stability, as you'll need to deal with any leasehold issues such as lease extensions, ground rent charges, service charges or freeholder disputes.