Move over strawberries and cream – it’s tan lines, bombshell entrances and “can I pull you for a chat?” that define the British summer according to Gen Z.

A new survey has found that Love Island is officially the UK’s biggest summer cultural event for Brits aged 18-28, ranking higher in national buzz and recognition than Wimbledon (44%), Glastonbury (37%), and even the hotly anticipated Oasis reunion tour (23%).

Gen Z’s Top 10 British cultural moments of summer 2025

Love Island, 44%

Wimbledon, 43%

Glastonbury Festival, 37%

Women’s Euros, 33%

British Grand Prix at Silverstone, 25%

Oasis reunion tour, 23%

Royal Ascot, 18%

The BBC Proms, 16%

Edinburgh Fringe, 12%

Chelsea Flower Show, 11%

The annual reality show – known for its sun-soaked villa antics, fiery recouplings and meme-worthy moments – has cemented its place in the national psyche as the event of the summer season.

And not content with dominating screens, the guilty pleasure turned cultural juggernaut has also broken into the realm of cultural artefacts. The show’s iconic personalised water bottle – seen in the hands of Islanders during every heated conversation and poolside
flirtation – was named one of the top 10 symbols of modern British culture.

In a list that included both serious and tongue-in-cheek contenders, the Love Island bottle rubs shoulders with the likes of the Greggs sausage roll, a Freddo, Colin the Caterpillar, and even the almighty Wetherspoons toilets.

A testament to the show’s impact, the Love Island water bottle (24%) is considered more of a ‘British cultural artefact’ by Gen Z than classics such as the Blue Peter badge (23%) and even Doctor Who’s Tardis (19%).

Gen Z’s Top 10 modern ‘British cultural artefacts’

A Greggs sausage roll, 61%

A Tesco meal deal, 59%

A Freddo, 34%

Colin the Caterpillar Cake, 33%

The Wetherspoons toilets, 30%

The Love Island water bottle, 24%

A Blue Peter badge, 23%

Doctor Who’s Tardis, 19%

A Glastonbury wristband, 18%

A Nando’s black card, 16%

Both a hydration hero and certified cultural icon, the popular piece of Love Island merchandise has long since transcended the villa to become a must-have summer accessory.

Spotted in the hands of Kimberly Wyatt at Wembley Stadium yesterday for the Oasis concert, the ex-Pussycat Doll and radio presenter arrived in style with the new Love Island bottle in tow – personalised with her name.

Taking its place in this season’s cultural hall of fame alongside the likes of Oasis, Glasto, and Wimbledon, Love Island’s enduring popularity has made it one of the most talked-about moments of the summer – with a quarter of the nation (25%) planning on tuning
into the final next week.

Fans can get their hands on the new supersized Love Island water bottle for £28 at

www.loveislandshop.com.