Blokes spend 4 hours a day hiding from their wives in a single very particular place

Blokes are spending up to four hours a day hiding from their partners in sheds.

The humble huts have become Britain’s new “man caves”, with nearly 80% of fellas owning one.

A survey has found 43% of shed owners say they use it as a DIY base, while 29% consider it a space to store gardening equipment.

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But the poll by Toolstation also revealed almost a third of UK men have turned their sheds into retreats to avoid wives and girlfriends.

They also use them to cower from neighbours and unwanted visitors.

One in 10 of those polled confessed they have hidden in their shed for up to four hours to wriggle out of being nagged – and to escape listening to guests droning on in their house.

Toolstation’s Greg Richardson said: “It might be only a short walk to the bottom of the garden, but it’s still one of the most popular spaces in the home.”

Around a fifth of those surveyed admitted they dreamed of constructing a secret “man cave” room if they could afford it.

They say their ideal getaway space would have a TV, under­ floor heating and a bar.

Another 27% said they used their shed as somewhere peaceful to scroll through social media.

For 22% it’s a place for “me time” away from the family, while 17% use it to do online shopping.

Secret eaters say they have stashed junk food in their shed too.

And those trying to cover up their smoking have admitted to trotting down the garden for a crafty fag.

Despite the shed being an oasis of calm for millions of bloke, more than 15% said they have invited someone there for a private chat.

A previous survey has shown men spend an average of 24 days a year escaping their partner by tinkering and pottering in a shed or spare room.

Half told Big Yellow Self Storage they have turned a room in their house into a hobby hub, while 17% said they use the garage and 11% the shed to indulge interests such as painting models and setting up train sets.

Eight in 10 men reckon relationships are improved by them having “man space”, with 60% of women agreeing.