Emergency cagoule installed for walkers at England’s rainiest spot

The village of Martinstown holds the dubious honour of being England’s wettest place since July 18, 1955, when it recorded a staggering 279mm of rainfall in 24 hours – a UK record that remains unbroken.

Currently, the region anticipates an average daily rainfall of 93mm throughout October.

Now, a ‘break glass in case of emergency’ cagoule has been installed at the UK’s wettest location, as Ramblers caught in the rain can now access a much-needed piece of outerwear from a metre-high security box with a waterproof plastic face.

Outdoor clothing brand Regatta set up the cagoule cabinet last week following research revealing that 24% of Brits seek excuses to avoid venturing outdoors. The primary reason for shying away was rain, followed by cold weather.

A spokesperson for Regatta, which conducted the study stated: “We’re trying to get people out and about, whatever the weather. A phrase many people swear by is that there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad outfits and there’s some truth to that.”

“Use layers to deal with the cold, decent waterproofs to keep the rain out, and a sturdy pair of boots and you’ll be good to tackle pretty much anything the UK’s weather can throw at you.”

Brits often come up with creative excuses to avoid venturing outdoors, including needing to tidy up the house (12%) or waiting for a delivery (11%). A quarter of respondents (25%) admit to telling themselves they’ll put off going out until the next day.

Over a third of people acknowledge that they walk less for leisure and exercise during the winter months compared to other times of the year. Moreover, 16% of individuals completely avoid going outside when it’s cold or wet.

On the other hand, those who enjoy spending time outside during the colder months cite reasons such as wanting to enjoy the fresh air (51%) and believing it benefits their mental health (34%).

Having a walking companion would encourage 35% of respondents to venture out in poor weather conditions. Additionally, 30% would feel more confident if they had better waterproof gear, according to the OnePoll.com data.

For 28% of respondents, the promise of a hearty pub lunch after a walk is enough motivation to get them out the door. A spokesperson for Regatta commented: “Thinking about the positives of going out for a walk, even in horrible weather, gives you the best chance of actually making it happen.”

“Walking with someone else is a great way to catch up and bond, while getting a bit of fresh air at the same time.”

“Take in new areas to keep things exciting, plot a route with a conveniently placed pub, and ensure you’re wearing the right gear and you’ll be right as rain, quite literally.”