Official Statistics

The People and Nature Survey for England: Monthly interim indicators for June 2020 (Experimental Statistics)

Published 11 August 2020

Applies to England

1. Main findings

• During the period 1st–30th June, 52% adults in England said that they had spent time outside in green and natural spaces in the previous week. While not directly comparable, this is consistent with historical MENE data for June 2018, suggesting that, at a population level, visits to nature had returned to some degree of normality.
• A total of 16% of adults reported that they had not spent any time in green and natural space in the previous month (down from 22% in May).
• Of those adults who are not getting outside, nearly half (45%) were worried about contracting or spreading coronavirus while visiting green and natural spaces.
• All types of green and natural place had an increase in the proportion of adults reporting visiting in the last month, compared to May. Urban green spaces (such as parks, playgrounds and fields) were visited by 50% adults (up from 44% in May), with 19% adults reporting a visit to the seaside.

The full results for June, as well as April and May, are available to download. Previous publications are also available to view.

To receive updates on the survey, including data releases and publications, sign-up via the People and Nature User Hub.

2. Other pages in this release

The People and Nature Survey for England, led by Natural England, is one of the main sources of data and statistics on how people experience and think about the environment. It began collecting data via an online panel (adults aged 16 years and older) in April 2020, and runs continuously, in line with Government Statistical Service guidance on data collection during the COVID-19 crisis. The People and Nature Survey will tell us about how COVID-19 is impacting people’s experience of green and natural spaces, how this is associated with physical and mental health, as well as how people’s attitudes to nature and behaviours are changing at this time. Data and insights from the People and Nature Survey will provide important evidence on impacts to support response and recovery, both under current restrictions and as requirements to stay at home ease.

The experimental statistics in this publication are based on a survey of 2,083 adult respondents conducted online continuously between 1st–30th June 2020 (inclusive). Throughout this bulletin, “this month” and “June” refers to this period.

Green and natural spaces are defined in this survey as green spaces in towns and cities (e.g. parks, canals); the countryside (e.g. farmland, woodland, hills and rivers); the coast (e.g. beaches, cliffs) and activities in the open sea; visits of any duration (including short trips to the park, dog walking etc.). They do not include: gardens; outside spaces visited as part of someone’s employment; spaces outside the UK.

Additional questions are asked about private gardens.

Subsequent reporting of monthly interim indicators and quarterly results from the People and Nature Survey respondent dataset will be able to determine changes and trends in the types of green and natural space used and equality of access to those spaces as the COVID-19 restrictions change over time.

Further information about the People and Nature Survey for England (including information on methods, strengths and limitations, and Experimental Statistics status) is available.

Data for this survey were collected between 1st and 30th June 2020. Results from this survey therefore cover a period where restrictions on movement had been eased but some restrictions remained. This page summarises the latest advice on accessing green spaces safely.

3. Experimental statistics

All initial releases from the People and Nature survey will be released as Experimental Statistics. This status highlights to users that the statistics are in the testing phase and that Natural England is still working on further developing the methodologies used in their production whilst ensuring adherence to the Code of Practice. Further information is available.

4. Time spent in green and natural spaces

During the period 1st - 30th June, the proportion adults in England who had taken a visit to a green and natural space during the previous week was 52%, no change from May. While not directly comparable, this figure is consistent with historical MENE data for June 2018, where 52% spent time in green and natural spaces in the past seven days. The Office for National Statistics’ Opinions and Lifestyles Survey^{[footnote 1]} found that between 4th and 7th June 53% of British adults had visited a park or public green space in the past week (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Proportion of adults in Great Britain making a visit to a park or greenspace in the last 7 days across the period 3rd April to 28th June. Visit-taking displays an increasing trend for all people across the UK population but proportions of people visiting were lower for those with any specific health conditions and those aged over 70.

Figure notes Source: Office for National Statistics (ONS) - Coronavirus and the social impacts on Great Britain (1) Any specific health condition is defined as a chronic or long-term illness that can cause the individual to be more at risk of initial infection and in fighting the infection.

Sixty five percent of adults in England said that they had spent time outside in green and natural spaces in the previous two weeks (Figure 2). This is an increase in comparison to May (up from 60%) and April (up from 49%).

Figure 2: Proportion of adults in England (weighted percentage) taking a visit in the last 14 days. Visits in the last 14 days increased by 16% between April and June, whereas the proportion of no visits in the last 14 days decreased by 19%.

Figure notes Source: How many times, if at all, did you make this type of visit to green and natural spaces in the last 14 days?
(1) Data collected between April 1st and June 30th (inclusive).
(2) The sample for this question were 1,868 (April), 1,898 (May) and 1,872 (June) respondents.

Just over a quarter (27%) of adults had not spent any time in green and natural spaces in the previous two weeks (Figure 1). This is a decrease in comparison to May (down from 32%) and April (down from 46%). A total of 16% of adults reporting that they had not spent any time in green and natural space in the previous month (down from 22% in May) (Figure 3 - next section).

In June, 44% adults in England reported spending more time outside since the coronavirus restrictions began (up from 36% in May).

5. Types of green and natural spaces visited in the last month

Urban green space continued to be the most visited of all green and natural spaces in June, with 50% of respondents visiting during the last month (Figure 3). This is an increase compared to May (44%) and April (41%).

Woodlands and forests were the second most-visited alongside fields/farmland/countryside (both types of place visited by 31% of respondents, an increase compared to April and May). Rivers, lakes and canals were also popular destinations with 28% of respondents having made a visit during the last month (an increase compared to April and May). In June, 19% of adults reported visiting a beach / coastline or sea.

Figure 3: Proportion of adults in England (weighted percentage) visiting different types of green and natural spaces within the last month. Increases can be seen for all spaces between May and June, with Urban green spaces still the most frequently visited. The proportion of people not making a visit in the last month has dropped from 26% to 16% between April and June.

Figure notes Source: Which of the following type(s) of green and natural spaces have you visited during the last month?
(1) Data collected between April 1st and June 30th (inclusive).
(2) The sample for this question were 2,017 (April), 2,015 (May) and 2,001 (June) respondents.
(3) Error bars represent the 95% confidence interval of the mean (see Glossary).
(4) Respondents can select more than one option and so percentages will not add up to 100%.

6. Activities undertaken in green and natural spaces

In June walking continued to be the most popular activity undertaken during a visit to green and natural spaces; with three quarters of adults who reported making a visit in the last two weeks undertaking this activity (75%). Wildlife watching continued to be the second most-popular activity (23%) and eating out/picnicking became the third most-popular (15% up from 8% in May). In June more people spent time with friends or family outdoors compared to May (19% up from 11%).

7. Reasons for not spending time outside

Adults who did not spend time in green and natural places in the previous 14 days were asked about their reasons. The main reasons reported were staying at home to stop coronavirus spreading and/or related to Government restrictions (reported by 53% of those not visiting, down from 63% in May) and bad weather (reported by 17%, up from 7% in May). Poor physical health/illness prevented 12% of those not visiting from spending free time outdoors, with 11% saying that they were too busy at home (Figure 4).

Figure 4: The main reason(s) for not spending free time outdoors in the last 14 days (June 2020) by proportion of adults in England. ‘Stayed at home to stop coronavirus spreading / Government restrictions’ was the main reason cited by 53% of respondents (down from 63% in May). Note that only a subset of reasons have been presented - see the supporting data for all reasons.

Figure notes Source: What was the main reason or reasons for not spending free time outdoors in the last 14 days?
(1) Data collected between April 1st and June 30th (inclusive).
(2) The sample for this question were 958 (April), 754 (May) and 647 (June) respondents who reported not spending time in green and natural places in the last 14 days.
(3) Error bars represent the 95% confidence interval of the mean (see Glossary).
(4) Respondents can select more than one option and so percentages will not add up to 100%.
(5) Only a subset of reasons have been presented - see the supporting data for all reasons.

Of the adults who are not getting outside, nearly half (45%) were worried about contracting or spreading coronavirus (down from 57% and 50% in April and May respectively) while visiting green and natural spaces. Thirty nine percent were prevented from getting outside because of concerns about over-crowding and not being able to keep a safe distance from others, with 31% citing concerns about breaking coronavirus restrictions (down from 37% in May). Over a quarter (26%) were worried about anti-social behaviour (up from 17% in May) with the same proportion concerned about lack of facilities (such as toilets, benches, baby changing, etc.) (Figure 5)

Figure 5: The main concerns or worries in relation to visiting green and natural spaces of those adults in England who reported not visiting any such spaces in the last 14 days (June 2020). Just under half of the respondents (45%) stated that contracting or spreading coronavirus was their main worry about undertaking a visit (down from 57% and 50% in April and May respectively). Note that only a subset of reasons have been presented - see the supporting data for all reasons.

Figure notes Source: Thinking about visiting green and natural spaces, are you concerned or worried by any of the following?
(1) Data collected between April 1st and June 30th (inclusive).
(2) The sample for this question were 958 (April), 754 (May) and 647 (June) respondents who reported not spending time in green and natural places in the last 14 days.
(3) Error bars represent the 95% confidence interval of the mean (see Glossary).
(4) Respondents can select more than one option and so percentages will not add up to 100%.
(5) Only a subset of reasons have been presented - see the supporting data for all reasons.

The Office for National Statistics Opinions and Lifestyles Survey^{[footnote 1]} found that between the 25th and 28th June 22% of British adults said they had experienced crowded spaces in the past week.

8. The role of green and natural spaces for health and wellbeing

The large majority of adults agreed that green and natural spaces should be good places for mental health and wellbeing (89% – the same figure as April and May) and places that encourage physical health and exercise (82%), which was consistent with April (84%) and May (83%).

A Scottish Natural Heritage survey^{[footnote 2]} found that around 1 in 3 people (35%) specifically referenced managing stress as a reason for exercising outdoors during their lockdown period, with nearly two-thirds of the population reporting mental health benefits as a result of spending time in nature.

9. Feelings of nature connection

In June, the vast majority of adults (84%) agreed that ‘being in nature makes me happy’ and 73% of adults are taking more time to notice and engage with everyday nature, such as listening to birdsong or noticing butterflies, consistent with previous months.

In June, 40% of adults reported that ‘nature and wildlife is more important than ever to my wellbeing’ (41% in May); 43% reported visiting local green and natural spaces has been even more important to their wellbeing (41% in May); and, 33% are visiting local green and natural spaces more (30% in May).

10. Importance of a garden

Of those respondents with gardens, the vast majority (89%) believe that they are important or very important (87% in May and 86% in April).

11. Behaviour changes during the Coronavirus pandemic

In June, there was a small decrease in those reporting that they have reduced the amount that they drive or travel by car since coronavirus restrictions were introduced (67%, down from 72% in May). Thirty seven per cent of adults reported that they have reduced the amount of food their household throws away, down from 40% in May.

12. Children’s time in nature

The majority of adults with children (84%) reported that their child was getting outside to spend time in green and natural spaces on average once a week or more. Ten per cent of adults reported children getting outside every day, down from May (19%) and April (20%). Approximately a third of adults wish their children could spend more time outside in nature to support their physical (35%) and mental (33%) health. It is important to note that there is uncertainty around these results due to the small sample size.

Research commissioned by Barnardos^{[footnote 3]}, which surveyed 4,283 eight to twenty four year olds between 15th May and 2nd June, found that 38% feel more worried than before lockdown and 34% said they feel more stressed.

13. Methodological notes

See ‘Methods and limitations’ page.

14. Strengths and Limitations

See ‘Methods and limitations’ page.

15. Glossary

95% confidence interval is a range of values around a calculated statistic (e.g. the mean) that you are 95% certain contains the true value of that statistic. For example, where there is a mean value of 49 with a 95% confidence interval of 2, we would be 95% certain that the true mean of the population was in the range of 47-51 (i.e. 49 -2 and 49 + 2).

Green and natural spaces are defined in this survey as green spaces in towns and cities (e.g. parks, canals); the countryside (e.g. farmland, woodland, hills and rivers); the coast (e.g. beaches, cliffs) and activities in the open sea; visits of any duration (including short trips to the park, dog walking etc.). They do not include: gardens; outside spaces visited as part of someone’s employment; spaces outside the UK.

Nature connectedness - a measurable psychological construct that describes a person’s relationship with the natural world. It includes aspects related to a person’s affective (emotional) and cognitive relationship to nature and their sense of place in nature. The 6 Nature Connection Index scale items are:

• I always find beauty in nature
• I always treat nature with respect
• Being in nature makes me very happy
• Spending time in nature is very important to me
• I find being in nature really amazing
• I feel part of nature

16. Contact

Natural England welcomes feedback on these monthly indicators, questions and suggestions for analysis for future releases. Please contact the team by email: people_and_nature@naturalengland.org.uk

If you would like to receive further information on the survey, including data releases, publications and survey changes, then visit our User Hub and sign-up to the mailing list at the bottom of the page (best viewed in Google Chrome). After signing up, if you do not receive a confirmation email please check your ‘Junk’ folder.

The Senior Responsible Officer for this publication is Dr Rose O’Neill.

17. Pre-release access

Pre-release access was not sought for this release

18. Related links

Coronavirus – guidance on accessing green spaces safely: Latest government guidance on using green spaces and protecting yourself and others.

Natural England operational update: Coronovirus information on how Natural England is facing the challenges posed by Coronavirus.

People and Nature questionnaire: Includes link to People and Nature Survey questions.

People and Nature Survey information: Further information on the People and Nature Survey for England.

Monitor of Engagement with the Natural Environment: Further information on the Monitor of Engagement with the Natural Environment (MENE) Survey (predecessor to the People and Nature Survey).

Office for National Statistics ‘Coronavirus and the social impacts on Great Britain Statistical bulletins’ Series of survey reports by the Office for National Statistics on the social impacts of coronavirus in Great Britain.

Office for National Statistics analysis of access to greenspace during coronavirus: Office for National Statistics report on access to greenspace, including gardens, during coronavirus (uses MENE data).

Scottish Natural Heritage’s Outdoor visits and engagement with nature during the Coronavirus lockdown survey. In May 2020, SNH commissioned research to provide an understanding of people’s outdoor visit behaviour and engagement with nature during the initial period of the Coronavirus lockdown (23 March - 28 May 2020).

Barnardos’ report on young people’s mental wellbeing during lockdown. Barnados commissioned YouGov to ask 4,000 children and young people aged eight to twenty four across Great Britain how they had been feeling during lockdown.

1. The Office for National Statistics Opinions and Lifestyles Survey: Coronavirus and the Societal Impacts on Great Britain (2020). https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/healthandwellbeing/bulletins/coronavirusandthesocialimpactsongreatbritain/12june2020 Accessed: 22/07/2020. Sample size 1,910. ↩ ↩²

2. Scottish Natural Heritage ‘Enjoying the outdoors: Outdoor visit behaviour and engagement with nature in Scotland during the Coronavirus lockdown’ July 2020. https://www.nature.scot/sites/default/files/2020-07/Enjoying%20the%20outdoors%20-%20Survey%20of%20outdoor%20visit%20behaviour%20in%20Scotland%20during%20lockdown_0.pdf. Accessed: 22/07/20. Fieldwork was undertaken between 29th May and 5th June 2020. Total sample size was 1,000. The survey was carried out online with a representative sample of adults in Scotland. Note that Scotland has employed different movement restrictions and timelines compared to England. ↩

3. The children’s charity Barnardos commissioned an online YouGov survey of 4,283 young people aged eight-24. Fieldwork was undertaken between 15 May-2 June 2020. The figures were weighted and are representative of all eight-24 year olds (Great Britain). https://www.barnardos.org.uk/news/generation-lockdown-third-children-and-young-people-experience-increased-mental-health Accessed 22/07/2020. ↩