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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 2017-18, walking was the main mode of transport for around one half (52%) of visits to woodland. Over one half (56%) of visits to woodland were within 2 miles.

Table 6.2 Woodland visit characteristics1- England 2013-14 to 2017-18

  2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18
per cent
Main mode of transport          
    On foot 62 60 60 54 52
    Car/van 33 36 36 42 44
    Bicycle 3 2 2 2 1
Distance travelled (one way)          
    Less than 1 mile 36 39 32 28 29
    1 to 2 miles 27 25 31 28 27
    3 to 5 miles 22 19 20 21 23
    6 to 10 miles 7 9 8 11 11
    Over 10 miles 8 9 10 12 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: Social

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