UK poll finds 52% of Britons prefer cold weather for better sleep

A poll of 2,000 UK adults commissioned by drinks brand Minus 196 shows that 52% would choose colder weather over warmth. The main reasons cited were better sleep (65% of respondents), a dislike of sweating (63%) and increased irritability in heat (50%).

The survey was released amid the country's fourth heatwave of the year, which has sparked wildfires and highlighted that only about 5% of UK homes have air‑conditioning. Laurence Wainwright, a senior lecturer at the University of Oxford, explained that cooler temperatures make it easier for the body to regulate heat and protect sleep, especially for people with mental‑health conditions. To promote relief, Minus 196 opened a pop‑up "Chiller Room" bar on Clapham Common offering a chilled environment and cold drinks.