
Adults' Nature Survey: Green Spaces Visit Trends
The Adults People and Nature Survey for England presents findings on adults' visitation to green and natural spaces, revealing insights on the types of locations visited and perceptions of local green spaces. Highlights include the percentage of adults visiting urban green spaces, fields, woodlands, rivers, and more. The report also delves into proximity to local green spaces impacting visitation rates.
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The Adults People and Nature Survey for England 02.10.2024 The Adults People and Nature Survey for England (A-PaNS) provides information on how adults experience, think about, and engage with the natural environment. The Accredited Official Statistics in this publication are based on continuous online data collection between the 1st of April 2023 and the 31st of March 2024. The weighted percentages shown are representative of the population of England. Each slide will outline the relevant sample size. The following slides present some of the headline findings. Further information, the project report and data are available here: Read the full report
Dataset from April 2023 March 2024 GREEN PLACES VISITED More than six in ten people had visited green and natural spaces in the previous 14 days* 67% 22% of adults had visited a green and natural space in the last 14 days of adults reported having not visited a green and natural space in the last 14 days * Sample size 22,399 (April 2023 to March 2024). 11% of respondents selected don t know or prefer not to say.
Dataset from April 2023 March 2024 Green and natural places that people visit . Percentage of adults. GREEN PLACES VISITED Urban green spaces (such as a park, field, or playground) were visited by five in ten people in the last month* Urban green space 51% Fields / farm 32% Woodland or forest 31% River, lake or canal 31% Beach, coastline or 29% sea Nature or wildlife 21% reserve Grounds of historic property or country 20% park Hill, mountain or moorland 13% Allotment or * Sample size 24,258 (April 2023 to March 2024). Respondents were asked: Which of the following type(s) of green and natural spaces have you visited during the last month? [Select all that apply]. Answer options not included here are: no visits in the last month, don t know, prefer not to say, and other. 8% community garden
Dataset from April 2023 March 2024 LOCAL GREEN SPACES 66% of people agreed that local green spaces were within easy walking distance* 11% 35% 12% 30% 10% STRONGLY DISAGREE DISAGREE NEITHER AGREE NOR DISAGREE AGREE STRONGLY AGREE 23% 66% AGREE DISAGREE *Sample size 24,961 (April 2023 to March 2024). Due to rounding, the total net agree does add up to 66% (65.5%). The missing 1% when totalling up the numbers (23%+10%+66%=99%) is due to don t know answers (not shown in the graph).
Dataset from April 2023 March 2024 LOCAL GREEN SPACES More people visit green spaces when local green spaces are a short walk away* Any visits No visits Don t know/ Prefer not to say * Sample size 22,399 (April 2023 to March 2024).
Dataset from April 2023 March 2024 23% REDUCED QUALITY 42% QUALITY OF LOCAL GREEN SPACES More people thought the quality of local green and natural spaces had improved rather than reduced* IMPROVED QUALITY 35% NO CHANGE * Sample size 24,961 (April 2023 to March 2024).
Dataset from April 2023 March 2024 TRAVEL TO GREEN & NATURAL SPACES More than two in three journeys (69%) to a natural space were below three miles in travel distance Distance travelled to green and natural space* 45% <1 Mile 23% 1-2 Miles 21% 3-10 Miles 11% >10 Miles 69% *Sample size 16,735 (April 2023 to March 2024) Due to rounding, the total for the travel distance under 3 miles does add up to 69% (68.5%).
Dataset from April 2023 March 2024 TRAVEL TO GREEN & NATURAL SPACES The mode of transportation switched from mostly active travel to mostly passive travel* between two- and three-miles travel distance Distance travelled to green and natural space, and mode of travel* 23% 1-2 Miles 21% 3-10 Miles 45% <1 Mile 11% >10 Miles 90% ACTIVE 13% ACTIVE 36% ACTIVE 64% ACTIVE Active travel (on foot, by bike, or by mobility aid) Passive travel (by car, van, motorbike or by public transport) *Responses have been combined to create the Active and Passive categories of travel. Active travel is comprised of: Bicycle/ mountain bike , On foot/ walking and Mobility aid (such as wheelchair or mobility scooter) . Passive travel is comprised of Car/van/motorbike and Public transport (e.g., train, bus or coach) . Sample size 5,057 (April 2023 to March 2024).
Dataset from April 2023 March 2024 Reasons for visiting green and natural space REASONS FOR VISITING GREEN SPACES Getting fresh air and physical health and exercise were the main reasons for people taking a visit to a green and natural space* To get fresh 57% air For physical exercise 49% 57% 49% For mental health and wellbeing 40% To walk a dog 27% To get fresh air For physical exercise To connect with nature *Sample size 5,057 (April 2022 to March 2023) Respondents were asked to select the main three reasons for taking this visit. Answer options subset of the top 5 selections: For physical health and exercise, To get fresh air, For mental health and wellbeing, To walk a dog, To connect to nature / watch wildlife. 26%
Dataset from April 2023 March 2024 BENEFITS OF VISITING GREEN AND NATURAL SPACES For people who had visited a green and natural space in the last 14 days: 92% 89% agreed that spending time outdoors was good for their physical health* agreed that spending time outdoors was good for their mental health * *Sample size 16,735 (April 2023 to March 2024).
Dataset from April 2023 March 2024 BARRIERS TO VISITING GREEN AND NATURAL SPACE The most common reason cited for not spending free time outside was bad/poor weather* Reasons for not visiting green and natural space in the last 14 days BUSY AT HOME WEATHER HEALTH BUSY AT WORK COVID 3% 24% Too busy at home 43% Bad / poor weather 25% Poor physical health 21% To stop coronavirus spreading/ Government restrictions Too busy with work/family commitments *Respondents were asked What was the main reason or reasons for not spending free time outdoors in the last 14 days? Answer options subset: Bad / poor weather, Poor physical health, Busy at home, Busy at work, Stayed at home to stop coronavirus spreading / Government restrictions Sample size 5,664 (April 2023 to March 2024)
Dataset from April 2023 March 2024 BARRIERS TO VISITING GREEN AND NATURAL SPACE The top five concerns or worries about visiting green and natural spaces for people that had not visited green and natural spaces in the previous 14 days* Top five concerns about visiting green and natural space DARK ASB CRIME ISOLATED FACILITIES 24% Visiting after dark 24% Anti-social behaviour 15% 25% Lack of facilities 18% Fear of crime Being on my own/ isolated *A third of people (33%) said they did not have any concerns or worries. Only a subset (top 5) of concerns or worries are presented here. More information on the questionnaire is available here download the pdf and search for question M2B_Q4A for a full list of concerns and worries that were asked about. Sample size 5,664 (April 2023 to March 2024)
Dataset from April 2023 March 2024 Actions people take to protect the environment PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT People undertook a range of household, gardening, and broader lifestyle behaviours that are positive for the environment Recycled 81% Brought own shopping 81% bags 81% 81% 76% Switched off appliances 76% Composted food 46% waste Take shorter showers to save water or 40% Recycled Brought own shopping bags Switched off appliances energy Bought second-hand 38% items * Only a subset of actions have been presented. More information on the questionnaire is available here. Sample size 4,954 (April 2023 to March 2024).
Dataset from April 2023 March 2024 Environmental issues people are most concerned about PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT Most people ranked climate change, water pollution, and the decline or extinction of animal and plant life as the environmental issues they are most concerned about* Climate change 47% Pollution of rivers, lakes, and ground 40% water Decline or extinction of animal and plant 38% life Plastic pollution 37% Building on green and natural spaces 34% 47% 40% 38% Pollution of the sea 33% Climate change Pollution of rivers, lakes, and ground water Extinction of animal & plant life Growing amount of 30% *Sample size 4,954 (April 2023 to March 2024). Respondents were asked to pick the four issues that they are most concerned about: Answer options subset: Climate change, Plastic pollution, Decline or extinction of animal and plant life, Pollution of rivers, lakes and ground water, Pollution of the sea, Building on green and natural spaces, Growing amount of waste. waste
Where to find out more? The following slides present some of the headline findings. Further information, the project report and data are available here: Read the full report Links to further information More background on A-PaNS: The People and Nature Surveys for England - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) For the full content of the questionnaire (the actual questionnaire questions asked): The People and Nature Survey For England - PANS001 (naturalengland.org.uk) For the data viewer: natural- england.shinyapps.io/People_and_Nature_Data_Viewer/ User Hub: Welcome to the People and Nature Survey (arcgis.com) If you have questions about The People and Nature Surveys for England, contact people_and_nature@naturalengland.org.uk.