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Household surveys in England

In March 2009 fieldwork commenced on the Monitor of Engagement with the Natural Environment (MENE) survey, which includes collecting information on visits to the outdoors in England. Further information on the survey, including copies of annual reports and online data viewers to access more detailed results, is available at www.gov.uk/government/collections/monitor-of-engagement-with-the-natural-environment-survey-purpose-and-results

Table 6.2 shows the main characteristics of visits to woodlands over the most recent 5 years. In 2015-16, around two thirds of visits to woodland involved walking with a dog and around one quarter involved other walking. Walking was the main mode of transport for around three fifths of visits to woodland. Around three fifths of visits to woodland were within 2 miles.

Table 6.2 Woodland visit characteristics1- England 2011-12 to 2015-16

  2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16
per cent
Activities on trip (multi response)          
Walking with a dog 70 69 70 68 66
Other walking 22 21 20 22 23
Wildlife watching 5 5 5 5 6
Playing with children 5 4 5 6 6
Eat/drink out 4 3 2 5 6
Visiting an attraction 2 2 2 2 2
Off road cycling or mountain biking 2 3 3 2 1
Road cycling 2 2 2 2 2
Main mode of transport          
On foot 65 65 62 60 60
Car/van 32 31 33 36 36
Bicycle 2 3 3 2 2
Distance travelled (one way)          
Less than 1 mile 30 31 36 39 32
1 to 2 miles 32 29 27 25 31
3 to 5 miles 22 23 22 19 20
6 to 10 miles 7 8 7 9 8
Over 10 miles 9 9 8 9 10

Source: Monitor of Engagement with the Natural Environment (MENE), carried out by TNS, for Natural England, Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) and Forestry Commission.

Notes:

1. All trips that included a visit to woodland.

.. Denotes data not available.

These figures are outside the scope of National Statistics.  For further information see the Source chapter.

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Sources chapter: Recreation

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