LONDON—A new survey by sex-positive community JOYclub found that outdoor sex is more common than many might think, with 84.9 percent of respondents admitting they've had sex outdoors or in a public place at least once.
The survey of more than 800 adults ages 18 and 82 revealed that for many, the appeal isn't just the sex itself—it's the adventure, spontaneity, and escape from everyday routine.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, cars and vans came out on top as the nation's favorite place for outdoor intimacy with almost 58 percent of respondents saying they've had sex in one. Forests and wooded areas weren't far behind, with just over half (50.4%) admitting they've enjoyed sex among the trees.
Beaches also proved hugely popular, with more than four in ten (41.1 percent) saying they've had sex by the sea, while balconies, rooftops, swimming pools and hot tubs all featured heavily on people's outdoor bucket lists.
Other statistics included:
• More than a quarter or 26.2 percent admitted to having sex in a meadow or field, around lakes and rivers, or in remote mountain locations
• 26.2 percent said they'd had sex at work
• 4.2 percent confessed to having had sex in a church or religious building
According to the survey, the biggest attraction for outdoor sex is spontaneity. More than half of respondents said they loved the idea of a moment that wasn't planned, organized, or confined to four walls—with 53.2% saying the thrill of breaking social rules was a major turn-on. More than 43% said the risk of discovery added to the excitement, while others said they simply enjoyed trying something different or found outdoor settings created a more intense sensory experience.
More than half of those surveyed said their biggest concern would be getting into legal trouble. Others worried about dirty surroundings (31 percent), being discovered by strangers (29.9 percent), personal safety (27.4 percent), or simply not being able to relax properly (17.9 percent).
Meanwhile, nearly a third of respondents said they had stumbled across other people having sex outdoors and had actually enjoyed seeing it (32.8%). One in eight said they felt completely neutral about the experience, and 5.7 percent of those surveyed found it unpleasant.
The survey paints a picture of a nation that remains surprisingly adventurous when it comes to sex, with many people actively seeking excitement, novelty, and memorable experiences beyond the bedroom.
Sex and relationship coach, author, and speaker, Courtney Boyer said many people aren't craving a different partner; they're craving a different experience.
“Outdoor sex offers a break from routine and taps into something deeply human: the desire for spontaneity, novelty, and feeling fully alive," Boyer said. "Shared adventures can strengthen intimacy because they create memories and bring couples back into a sense of play. The fantasy itself is often less about the act and more about feeling free, present, and connected."
However, anyone tempted to recreate these fantasies should be aware that while having sex outdoors is not automatically illegal in England and Wales, the situation can quickly become problematic if members of the public can see what is happening.
For more information, visit joyclub.com.
