From getting frisky in nature and birthday sex, to ‘self-love’ Wednesdays and toys for the boys – new research released today from Durex has lifted the lid on the sex schedules of the nation.
According to the data, which was commissioned by the brand to celebrate the launch of its latest range of sex toys and collection of lubes, today (Valentine’s Day / February 14th) is one of the busiest days of the entire year for sex toy usage in the UK. Second only to birthdays, nearly one in six (15%) sexually active UK adults – the equivalent to 4.2 million people – will crack out their toy box on February 14th.
Meanwhile, 9-11pm on Saturday night is the nation’s peak play time overall, cited as the most popular time of the week for sexual intercourse, oral and partnered masturbation.
Friday, however, is the top day for threesomes, with nearly one in five (18%) of those who have had one citing it as their favourite day of the week for a ménage à trois.
Meanwhile, Wednesday – ironically known as ‘hump day’ – is actually the top day for self-love. More people engage in some solo fun mid-week than at any other time of the week, with almost one in ten (9%) sexually active adults citing it as their go-to day.
According to the research, in the last year, the average sexually active UK adult has had sex 81 times, given or received oral sex 50 times, engaged in ‘self-love’ 67 times, and had anal sex 16 times. Meanwhile, nearly one in five (18%) sexually active UK adults have had either a threesome, or muti-partnered sexual activity – of those, one in ten (10%) have one at least once a year.
Sex toys and lube are high on the nation’s sex agenda – almost half of sexually active people opting to use sex toys (53%) – with almost one in ten (9%) using them at least once a week, while a further half use lube (50%), with nearly a third (31%) using it at least once a month.
When it comes to places and positions, the beach was revealed as the place where sexually active UK adults feel most aroused (24%), while one in five (20%) have had sexual intercourse while outside in the countryside. Missionary was revealed as one of the nation’s favourite sex position (35%), closely followed by doggy (32%). Though men (37%) prefer doggy over women (28%).
In light of the findings, Durex is giving away a selection of incredible experiences to help, wherever and whatever their style – from a mountain escape in Wank Mountain, Germany to a secluded haven in Cockermouth, Cumbria. Both in the perfect setting for sexual escapades…
A very happy birthday
When it comes to sexual adventures, it seems the nation doesn’t just have a preferred day of the week, but also a preferred time of month and year. Nearly half (46%) of sexually active UK adults confess to engaging in seeexual acts more at some points in the calendar than others, with birthdays – both their own (24%) and partners (23%) – holidays (23%), anniversaries (20%) and Valentine’s Day (20%) cited as the top annual occasions to enjoy sexual intercourse.
When it comes to sex toys, a partner’s birthday (17%) is the go-to seasonal moment to use them, closely followed by Valentine’s Day (15%).
However, holidays are also a go-to occasion for getting hot and heavy. Summer is the top season for sexual intercourse, with nearly half of (42%) sexually active UK adults citing it as the season where they have it the most, while holidays are also the time of year – second only to birthdays – that most sexually active adults engage in the most oral (19%) and anal (13%) activity, as well as both partnered (17%) and solo masturbation (8%) Amongst those who’ve had a threesome, holidays are a top occasion to have one (19%), along with Halloween (19%).
After holidays, Valentine’s Day is another busy day in the nation’s bedrooms, with one in five (20%) citing this as their top day for sexual intercourse. It’s also a more popular occasion for oral (15%), partnered masturbation (13%) and anal (10%).
When it comes to sex toys, while a partner’s birthday (17%) is the top occasion to use them, Valentine’s Day (15%) comes a close second, with it cited as the second busiest time of year for sex toy usage.
Another key date for the diary for sexually active UK adults is Steak and Blowjob Day (March 14th, 2024), with almost one in ten (8%) opting to give or receive oral on this date.
Sexy Saturdays
Almost a quarter (22%) of sexually active UK adults cite Saturday as the day they’re most likely to engage in sexual intercourse, followed by Sunday (16%) and Friday (14%). It’s also the top day for anal (18%), oral (18%) and partnered masturbation (19%) – and it’s no surprise that it’s also the most common day to use a sex toy (16%) or lube (18%).
When it comes to timings, while almost one in ten (8%) are most likely to opt for an action packed morning when it comes to sexual intercourse (between the hours of 7am and 11am), the most common time to get down to it is between 9pm and 11pm (25%). This is also the most common time for solo masturbation (21%), anal (17%), oral (27%) as well as exy toys and lube (both 21%).
Of those who have had threesomes however, lunch time and post work fumbles are the preference with nearly one in 5 (19%) cited 11am-3pm as the time they’re most likely to engage in a ménage à trois and with 13% opting for a 5-7pm session.
Location, location, location
It’s not just the timings that play a factor in the nation’s sex schedules, but also location. The beach is the place sexually active UK adults are most likely to feel aroused generally (24%), followed by bars, pubs and nightclubs (22%), being in a hot tub or swimming pool (19%), and being in the countryside (18%).
Meanwhile, more than one in ten (12%) sexually active adults confess to having felt sexually aroused in the office, with 7% having even had sex there, and 7% having engaged in self-love in the office toilets. A further 9% have engaged in partnered masturbation in the cinema, and 7% have engaged in a threesome while away skiing.
However, when the nation hits the countryside, things often get hot and heavy. One in five (20%) sexually active UK adults have had sexual intercourse while at one with nature outside in the countryside, while one in six (16%) have engaged in oral sex there, almost one in ten (8%) have enjoyed anal, and of those who have had a threesome, over one in ten (14%) have had one in the countryside.
Toys for the boys
When it comes to sex toys nearly one in ten (9%) seexually active people use sex toys at least once a week, while over a quarter (26%) use them at least once a month.
Research shows that sexually active UK men are actually using them more frequently than women, with 10% of men claiming to use them at least once a week, versus 8% of women. While over a quarter (28%) of sexually active men and a quarter of women (25%) use them at least once a month.
Of those who use sex toys, almost half (48%) use them for sexual intercourse and over two fifths (41%) use them for solo masturbation. This number rises to more than half of women (57%) who use sex toys for solo masturbation. In fact, of those that have had sexual intercourse and use sex toys, more than half (52%) have used a vibrator during sex, a fifth (22%) have used a cock ring and 17% have used a clitoral suction stimulator.
Almost four in five (77%) women who masturbate and use sex toys have used a vibrator while masturbating. In comparison, one in four men (25%) who masturbate and use sex toys have used a masturbation sleeve.
Meanwhile almost half (48%) of sexually active UK adults use lube for some kind of sexual activity at least once per month, with men (52%) using it more than women (43%), most usually when engaging in some self-love, while for women it’s most commonly used during sex.
To celebrate the launch of its newest range of sex toys and collection of lubes – and help the nation enjoy their favourite sexual occasions, Durex is giving away a selection of incredible experiences to enjoy, wherever and whatever their style, in the most lavish of ways.
With the countryside cited as one of the nation’s favourite settings for some sexual escapades, two lucky couples will embark on a wild night in the wilderness, enjoying either a three night stay at Hotel Staudacherhof, Wank Mountain in Germany or a two night stay at The Boathouse at Knotts End, Cockermouth in Cumbria. These luxury trips will enable guests to experience maximum pleasure, in the perfect setting for sexual escapades. Those wanting to enter the competition can do so via the Durex UK Instagram @durex from February 14th with winners announced one week later.
To help the nation get the most out of any occasion, alongside its extensive range of lubes, Durex has expanded its sex toys range, to help spice up any sexual encounter, from the beach to the bedroom.
