Regency-Era Hobbies

As appalling as this may sound, as unbelievably insane…

Wait a minute. Perhaps you should sit down for this, brace yourself.

All right. Deep breaths. Where was I?

Oh yes. As appalling as this may sound, Regency-era poor souls did not have phones, television, computers, video games, or anything else we 2020-creatures spend most of our time doing.

So what did they do? What occupied their time? What sort of pleasures kept them entertained?

Below are a few of the hobbies a Regency-era gentleman or lady might have enjoyed:

• Painting and drawing
• Writing letters
• Playing instruments
  • piano-forte
  • guitar
  • lyre
  • harp
• Taking walks
• Cards and games
  • Blind Man’s Bluff
  • Lawn Bowls
  • The Game of Graces
  • Cup and Ball
  • Spillikins
  • Whist
  • And more!
• Carriage rides
• Archery
• Reading
• And of course, dancing

Would you trade your phone for a country ride in a phaeton? Would you replace your television with a harp, or your video game for the Game of Graces?