A survey by garden fence and rail specialists Colourfence suggests that British households can’t get enough of their gardens.

Interviews with 2,000 people revealed that the East Midlands had the keenest gardeners – they spend on average the equivalent of 10.2 days per year (or 4.7 hours a week), tending their gardens, closely followed by the East of England (9.8 days per year) and Londoners (9.1 days per year). Those living in Northern Ireland are least keen, claiming to spend only 2.7 days per year on their gardens.

The survey also suggests that people would be prepared to pay an average of £35,000 on top of a property’s value if it had a garden or outdoor space. Londoners are prepared to pay the most for it – on average an extra £82,700, followed by those living in the east of England(+ £49,600). With beautiful landscapes on their doorstep, the Welsh are least concerned about their own outdoor space and would only part with an extra £13,200.

The survey also found that whilst one in four love their gardens as places to socialise, we are a nation of self-sufficient wannabes too, with more than one in 10 of using gardens to grow their own food. East Midlands, Yorkshire & Humber and the East of England are the keenest veg growers.

Well over half (62%) of the interviewees said they’d rather have the additional outdoor than indoor space.

Graham Bowers of Colourfence said: “It’s no secret the British are mad about their gardens and gardening but just how much our obsession with having our own slice of it is worth to us hasn’t been revealed until now. No matter where you live, we can all agree that our gardens give us lots of pleasure whether that’s giving your child or pet the space to run around, living the ‘good life’ or eating al fresco with friends.”