From Freshly Baked Bread to Petrol: The UK’s Top Scents Revealed
A recent nationwide survey has uncovered the scents that truly capture the hearts (and noses) of the British public. According to the findings, there is one aroma that reigns supreme: freshly baked bread. Carried out by retailer LiQuid, the survey asked participants across the UK to name their favourite smells – and over 55% voted for the comforting scent of bread straight from the oven.
Other familiar aromas featured prominently too, with flowers coming in second place and coffee securing third. Sweet favourites such as strawberries and chocolate, alongside savoury classics like bacon, also scored highly. Yet the survey didn’t shy away from the unusual – petrol made it into the top ten, proving that the UK’s taste in scent is not always predictable.
The UK’s Top 10 Favourite Scents
- Freshly Baked Bread
- Flowers
- Coffee
- Strawberry
- Bacon
- Chocolate
- Menthol
- Lemon
- Curry Spices
- Petrol / Diesel
Bread’s popularity was almost universal, yet the research highlighted some quirky regional differences. Southampton was the only city where bread did not claim first place, opting for flowers instead. Bristol proudly included bacon in its top three, Glasgow elevated petrol to the podium, and Edinburgh surprised with vomit featuring among its more unusual choices.
The UK’s Most Unusual Smells by City
- Belfast – Petrol, Tobacco, Garlic
- Birmingham – Petrol, Tobacco, Garlic
- Bristol – Petrol, Garlic, Vomit
- Cardiff – Garlic, Bleach, Petrol
- Edinburgh – Petrol, Vomit, Chlorine
- Glasgow – Petrol, Garlic, Egg
- Leeds – Petrol, Bleach, Garlic
- Liverpool – Bleach, Chlorine, Tobacco
- London – Garlic, Glue, Vomit
- Manchester – Petrol, Vomit, Chlorine
- Newcastle – Petrol, Chlorine, Egg
- Norwich – Garlic, Bleach, Tobacco
- Nottingham – Garlic, Bleach, Vomit
- Sheffield – Bleach, Tobacco, Petrol
- Southampton – Petrol, Garlic, Chlorine
The survey also revealed some surprising statistics. One in ten respondents admitted that garlic ranks among their favourite scents, while one in twenty actually enjoys the smell of vomit. Petrol’s consistent presence across multiple city lists suggests it is one of the UK’s most polarising aromas – some find it off-putting, while others are oddly drawn to it.
The data also showed clear differences between men and women. Women tended to prefer sweeter, homely smells, while men ranked savoury scents and fruits more highly. Menthol was particularly popular among men compared with women.
Regional favourites
While bread dominated across the UK, second and third favourite aromas varied widely by region. Coastal towns tended to favour fresher, lighter scents such as flowers or lemon, while bustling urban centres leaned toward stronger, more indulgent smells like bacon, curry spices, and even tobacco. In some areas, food-related aromas claimed all top three positions, whereas in others, sharper or industrial scents took precedence. This diversity highlights a nation whose sense of smell is as varied as its cuisine.
The Comfort Connection
Nostalgic and homely scents dominated the survey, with bread, coffee, and flowers standing out. These aromas are not only everyday experiences but also act as sensory shortcuts to warmth, familiarity, and happiness. Their popularity across all ages suggests that scent is intimately tied to memory and emotional wellbeing.
Britain’s Favourite Desserts
The survey also explored Britain’s dessert preferences, revealing a clear nationwide sweet spot. Cheesecake emerged as the nation’s favourite pudding, followed by apple crumble and ice cream. Other sweet treats such as chocolate cake, lemon tart, and brownies made the top ten, alongside traditional British favourites like trifle, sticky toffee pudding, and cherry bakewell.
The UK’s Top 10 Desserts
- Cheesecake
- Apple Crumble
- Ice Cream
- Chocolate Cake
- Sticky Toffee Pudding
- Lemon Tart
- Trifle
- Cherry Bakewell
- Doughnuts
- Brownies
Generational preferences were evident. Younger participants preferred brownies and chocolate cake, whereas older generations favoured classics such as trifle and apple crumble. This divide points to the gradual decline of some traditional puddings among younger eaters.
Regional Dessert Favourites
- Belfast – Lemon Tart
- Birmingham – Cheesecake
- Bristol – Apple Crumble
- Cardiff – Cheesecake
- Edinburgh – Cheesecake
- Glasgow – Cheesecake
- Leeds – Ice Cream
- Liverpool – Cheesecake
- London – Ice Cream
- Manchester – Cheesecake
- Newcastle – Chocolate Cake
- Norwich – Cheesecake
- Nottingham – Apple Crumble
- Sheffield – Cheesecake
- Southampton – Apple Crumble
The North showed a preference for chocolate desserts, while the Midlands and South West remained loyal to trifle. Newcastle favoured jam roly-poly, and cities including Liverpool, Newcastle, and Southampton all ranked chocolate treats highly.
See more survey results and explore more on the British favourite smells.
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