## Forestry Statistics 2020 Chapter 6: Social

 
Release date: 
24 September 2020 
Coverage: 
United Kingdom Geographical breakdown: 
Country 

Issued by:  
Forest Research 231 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh, EH12 7AT 
Enquiries:    
Robert Stagg 0300 067 5238 statistics@forestresearch.gov.uk  
Statistician: 
Sheila Ward 0300 067 5236 
Website:    
www.forestresearch.gov.uk/statistics/ 

## Contents

| Introduction 3                                                           |     |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----|
| Key findings 4                                                           |     |
| 6.1 Visits to woodland - household surveys 5                             |     |
| 6.1.1 England 7                                                          |     |
| 6.1.2 Wales                                                              |     |
| 6.1.3 Public Opinion of Forestry Survey - Woodland visitors              |     |
| 6.1.4 Public Opinion of Forestry Survey - woodland visitors by age group | 16  |
| 6.2 Visits to woodland - on-site surveys                                 |     |
| 6.2.1 Scotland All Forests Survey                                        | 18  |
| 6.2.2 Northern Ireland Forest Service day visitors                       | 19  |

## Introduction

This chapter contains statistics on: 

- the number and profile of visits to all woodlands from household 
surveys; and 
- the number and profile of visits to Forestry England/ Forestry and Land 
Scotland/ Natural Resources Wales/ Forest Service woodlands from onsite surveys and administrative sources.  
The statistics in this chapter need to be viewed in the context of broader changes in the UK population, with an increasing and ageing population. More recently, the Covid-19 pandemic has led to an increase in visits to the outdoors. Initial studies are providing some information on these changes, but these have not been incorporated into this release yet. For further information, see: 

- https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/people-and-nature-surveyfor-england (see monthly interim indicators); 
- https://gov.wales/national-survey-wales-monthly-survey-july-2020 - https://www.nature.scot/outdoor-visits-and-engagement-nature-duringcoronavirus-lockdown and 
- http://www.outdoorrecreationni.com/news/new-survey-highlightsimportance-of-accessing-outdoors-safely-during-covid-19/. 
Geographical coverage for social statistics varies. Estimates are presented at country level and, where possible, UK or GB totals are included. Further information on the data sources and methodology used to compile the figures is provided in the Sources chapter. Most of the statistics presented in this chapter have been previously released by other organisations. The latest year figures for day visitors to Forest Service sites in Northern Ireland are published for the first time in this release. Figures for earlier years have not been revised from those previously published. For further details on revisions, see the Social section of the Sources chapter. The frequency with which the estimates in this chapter are updated varies depending on the data sources used.  Whilst some of the information presented is now several years old, it represents the latest available data and has been included to provide a more rounded picture of the social use of forests in the UK. 

 
Further information on the advantages and disadvantages of household surveys and of on-site surveys is provided in the Social section of the Sources chapter. A copy of all social tables can be accessed in spreadsheet format from the Data Downloads web page at www.forestresearch.gov.uk/tools-andresources/statistics/data-downloads/. 

## Key Findings

The main findings are: 

- There were an estimated 368 million visits to woodlands in England in 
2018-19.  
- Around one half (49%) of visits to woodlands in England in 2018-19 were 
within 2 miles.  
- "Health and exercise" and "fresh air or to enjoy pleasant weather" were 
important reasons for visits to woodlands in England and Wales.  
- Walking was the most common activity on visits to woodland in England. - Around 465 thousand people visited Forest Service sites where a charge 
is made in Northern Ireland in 2019-20. 

## 6.1 Visits To Woodland - Household Surveys

The information shown below in Table 6.1 has been obtained from the following general population household surveys. 

- Scottish Recreation Survey (2009 to 2012) - Welsh Outdoor Recreation Survey (2011, 2014) - Monitor of Engagement with the Natural Environment (England, 2009-10 
onwards)  
- Scotland's People and Nature Survey (2013, 2017/18)  
It is likely that differences in survey design and methodology have contributed to a considerable proportion of the differences in results between these surveys. The figures in Table 6.1 should not be interpreted as time trends but instead as separate results from each survey. Further information on the differences between surveys is provided in the Recreation section of the Sources chapter. In common with all sample based surveys, the results from each survey are subject to the effects of chance, depending on the particular survey method used and the sample achieved, thus confidence limits apply to all results from these surveys. Results from the Monitor of Engagement with the Natural Environment 2018- 19 estimate a total of 368 million visits to woodlands in England (Table 6.1). This is a statistically significant decrease from the 2017-18 figure of 437 million visits. The Welsh Outdoor Recreation Survey 2014 estimated a total of 68 million visits to woodlands by Welsh residents. This is a statistically significant decrease from the estimated total of 86 million in 2011, but similar to the 2008 estimate (64 million). Scotland's People and Nature Survey 2017/18 reports an estimated total of 117 million visits to woodlands in Scotland. This is a statistically significant increase from the 2013 estimate of 90 million visits. 


## 

million visits 
Year 
England 
Wales 
Scotland 
2009 
317 
.. 
57 
2010 
326 
  .. 
63 
2011 
358 
86 
65 
2012 
357 
.. 
62 
2013 
378 
.. 
90 
2014 
417 
68 
.. 
2015 
446 
.. 
.. 
2016 
439 
.. 
.. 
2017 
437 
.. 
117 
2018 
368 
.. 
.. 

 
Sources: England 2009 on: Monitor of Engagement with the Natural Environment (MENE), carried out by TNS; Wales 2011, 2014: Welsh Outdoor Recreation Survey carried out by TNS; Scotland 2009 - 2012: Scottish Recreation Survey (ScRS), carried out by TNS; Scotland 2013, 2017: Scotland's People and Nature Survey (SPANs), carried out by TNS. Notes: 
1. MENE covered trips taken in England, including those from holiday bases, by respondents 

living in England. Results relate to 12 month periods from March to February. 
2. The Welsh Outdoor Recreation Survey totals shown are for trips with woodland as the main 
destination.  
3. The Scottish Recreation Survey ran from July 2003 until December 2012. It was replaced 
by Scotland's People and Nature Survey that ran from March 2013 to February 2014 and from May 2017 to April 2018. Both surveys covered visits to the outdoors for leisure and recreation in Scotland by people living in Scotland. The total shown is for all trips that included a visit to woodland. 
4. In each survey, visits to overseas destinations are excluded. 5. .. Denotes data not available. 
 
These figures are outside the scope of National Statistics.  For further information see the Sources chapter. 

 

## 6.1.1 England

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-ofengagement-with-the-natural-environment-survey-purpose-and-results. Tables 6.2a to 6.2e shows the main characteristics of visits to woodlands over the most recent 5 years. In 2018-19, walking was the main mode of transport for almost one half (47%) of visits to woodland.  

per cent of respondents 
Main mode of 
transport 
2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 **2018-19** 
On foot 
60 
60 
54 
53 
47 
Car / van 
36 
36 
42 
44 
45 
Bicycle 
2 
2 
2 
1 
1 

 
Source: Monitor of Engagement with the Natural Environment (MENE), Natural England. Notes: 
1. All trips that included a visit to woodland. These figures are outside the scope of National Statistics.  For further information see the Sources chapter. 



Around one half (49%) of visits to woodland were within 2 miles. 

per cent of respondents 
Distance travelled 
(one way) 
2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 **2018-19** 
Less than 1 mile 
39 
32 
28 
29 
25 
1 to 2 miles 
25 
31 
28 
27 
24 
3 to 5 miles 
19 
20 
21 
23 
26 
6 to 10 miles 
9 
8 
11 
11 
10 
Over 10 miles 
9 
10 
12 
10 
16 

 
Source: Monitor of Engagement with the Natural Environment (MENE), Natural England. Notes: 
1. All trips that included a visit to woodland. These figures are outside the scope of National Statistics.  For further information see the Sources chapter. 



Health or exercise was the most popular reason for visiting woodlands in England in 2018-19 (70%). 

per cent of respondents 
Motivation for visit 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 **2018-19** 
For health or exercise 
53 
60 
55 
56 
70 
To exercise your dog 
66 
65 
60 
53 
53 
39 
41 
39 
41 
46 
For fresh air or to enjoy pleasant weather To relax and unwind 
35 
42 
37 
37 
40 
To enjoy scenery 
32 
38 
34 
36 
34 
To be somewhere you like 
23 
26 
25 
26 
29 
For peace and quiet 
22 
27 
33 
26 
29 
To enjoy wildlife 
27 
30 
28 
28 
28 
To spend time with family 
17 
14 
15 
16 
28 

 
Source: Monitor of Engagement with the Natural Environment (MENE), Natural England. Notes: 
1. All trips that included a visit to woodland. 2. Excludes other reasons for visiting, each reported by fewer than 20% of respondents in 

2018-19. 
3. Respondents were able to select more than one option, so results do not sum to 100%. 
 
These figures are outside the scope of National Statistics.  For further information see the Sources chapter. 



Walking (with or without a dog) was the most popular activity on visits to woodland in England in 2018-19. 

per cent of respondents 
Activities during 
visit 
2014-15 
2015-16 
2016-17 
2017-18 **2018-19** 
Walking without a dog 
22 
23 
31 
56 
56 
Walking with a dog 
68 
66 
59 
36 
36 
Playing with children 
6 
6 
8 
10 
15 
Eating or Drinking Out 
5 
6 
8 
10 
15 
Cycling/ mountain biking 
4 
3 
6 
4 
6 

 
Source: Monitor of Engagement with the Natural Environment (MENE), Natural England. Notes: 
1. All trips that included a visit to woodland. 2. Excludes other activities, each reported by fewer than 5% of respondents in 2018-19. 3. Respondents were able to select more than one option, so results do not sum to 100%. 

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


## 

Most visits to woodlands in England (62%) lasted up to 2 hours in 2018-19. 

2018-19 

per cent of respondents 
Duration of visit 
2014-15 
2015-16 
2016-17 
2017-18 
2018-19 
Up to 1 hour 
51 
50 
43 
45 
39 
1+ to 2 hours 
28 
29 
29 
26 
23 
2+ to 3 hours 
8 
9 
11 
12 
18 
Over 3 hours 
5 
4 
9 
7 
11 

 
Source: Monitor of Engagement with the Natural Environment (MENE), Natural England. Notes: 
1. All trips that included a visit to woodland. These figures are outside the scope of National Statistics.  For further information see the Sources chapter. 


## 6.1.2 Wales

Household surveys in Wales The National Survey for Wales began in March 2016 and replaced a number of separate surveys of households in Wales, including the Welsh Outdoor Recreation Survey (WORS). The survey is completed by around 12,000 people each year and covers a wide range of topics. Further information on the survey, including copies of reports and data, is available at https://gov.wales/national-survey-wales. Table 6.3 shows the reasons provided for their visit to the outdoors by respondents who stated that the main destination of the visit was woodland. "Health and exercise" and "fresh air or to enjoy pleasant weather" were the most important reasons reported for visits to woodlands in Wales. 

per cent of respondents 
Reason for visit 
2016-17 
2018-19 
For health or exercise 
47 
55 
For fresh air or to enjoy pleasant weather 
50 
47 
For pleasure / enjoyment 
42 
42 
To spend time with family 
39 
41 
To relax and unwind 
34 
41 
To enjoy scenery and wildlife 
38 
39 
To exercise the dog 
38 
30 
For peace and quiet 
22 
29 
To spend time with friends 
16 
22 

 
Source: National Survey for Wales (Welsh Government). Notes: 
1. Visits where the main destination was woodland. 2. Respondents were able to select more than one option, so results do not sum to 100%. 3. Excludes other reasons for visiting, each reported by fewer than 20% of respondents in 

2018-19. 

## 6.1.3 Public Opinion Of Forestry Survey - Woodland Visitors

The Public Opinion of Forestry Survey is carried out every two years and obtains people's attitudes to forestry and forestry-related issues, including visits to woodland. Copies of reports and detailed data tables are available at www.forestresearch.gov.uk/tools-and-resources/statistics/statistics-bytopic/public-opinion-of-forestry/. The results shown in Tables 6.4 and 6.5 and Figure 6.1 have been taken from the UK and country reports on the latest surveys in 2019 and from surveys in earlier years. The reports also include other recreation-related results, such as whether the woodlands visited were in towns or the countryside and any reasons given by survey respondents for not visiting woodlands. In the UK 2019 survey, over three fifths (63%) of respondents said that they had visited woodland in the last few years for walks, picnics or other recreation (Table 6.4). 


per cent of respondents 
Year 
England 
Wales 
Scotland 
Northern 
Ireland 
UK 
2003 
66 
62 
64 
77 
67 
2005 
65 
69 
50 
67 
65 
2007 
76 
79 
75 
62 
77 
2009 
77 
.. 
57 
.. 
77 
2010 
.. 
.. 
.. 
72 
.. 
2011 
68 
68 
75 
.. 
67 
2013 
65 
64 
76 
.. 
66 
2014 
.. 
.. 
.. 
75 
.. 
2015 
55 
64 
78 
.. 
56 
2017 
62 
72 
84 
.. 
61 
2019 
63 
77 
.. 
78 
63 

 
Source: UK/GB, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland Public Opinion of Forestry Surveys Base: UK/GB = 4,000 respondents (2003 to 2007), 2,000 respondents (2009 to 2019); Scotland and Wales = 1,000 respondents each; Northern Ireland = 120 respondents (2003), 1,000 respondents (all other years). Notes: 
1. Those stating that they had visited woodland in the last few years. 2. The range of uncertainty around any result should be no more than ±3.5% (for surveys 

with around 2,000 respondents) and ±4.7% (for surveys with around 1,000 respondents). To compare results over time, a difference of at least 5 percentage points (for surveys each with around 2,000 respondents) and at least 7 percentage points (for surveys each with around 1,000 respondents) is required to indicate that there is a significant difference. 
3. .. Denotes data not available (survey not run that year or question not asked). 
 
These figures are outside the scope of National Statistics.  For further information see the Sources chapter.  


Survey respondents were asked how frequently they had visited during the previous summer and winter. Figure 6.1, which presents aggregated UK results for the 2015 to 2019 surveys, shows that respondents visited much more often during the summer, with 44% of respondents visiting at least once a month in the summer compared to around one quarter (27%) in the winter. 

Source: UK Public Opinion of Forestry Surveys, 2015 to 2019. Base: Average visit frequencies from last three UK surveys: 2,000 respondents per survey. Notes: 
1. The range of uncertainty around any result should be no more than ±3.5% in any 

individual year and no more than ±1.1% for the 3 surveys combined. 
 These figures are outside the scope of National Statistics.  For further information see the Sources chapter. 


## 6.1.4 Public Opinion Of Forestry Survey - Woodland Visitors By Age Group

In the UK 2019 Public Opinion of Forestry survey, 71% of respondents aged 35 to 54 said that they had visited woodland in the last few years for walks, picnics or other recreation (Table 6.5). This compares with around three fifths (61%) of respondents aged 16 to 34 and 56% of those aged 55 or over. 

per cent of respondents 
Year 
Aged 16 to 
34 
Aged 35 to 54 
Aged 55 and 
over 
Total 
1999 
73 
74 
55 
67 
2001 
75 
77 
63 
72 
2003 
71 
72 
60 
67 
2005 
66 
74 
56 
65 
2007 
79 
82 
69 
77 
2009 
78 
84 
69 
77 
2011  
65 
74 
63 
67 
2013 
62 
75 
60 
66 
2015 
54 
62 
53 
56 
2017 
60 
68 
55 
61 
2019 
61 
71 
56 
63 

 
Source: UK and GB Public Opinion of Forestry Surveys, 1999 to 2019. Base: 2,000 respondents (1999, 2001, 2009 to 2019); 4,000 respondents (2003 to 2007). Notes: 
1. Those stating they had visited woodland in the last few years. 2. The range of uncertainty around any result should be no more than ±3.5% (for surveys 

with around 2,000 respondents) and ±2.3% (for surveys with around 4,000 respondents). To compare results over time, a difference of at least 5 percentage points (for surveys each with around 2,000 respondents) is required to indicate that there is a significant difference. 
 These figures are outside the scope of National Statistics.  For further information see the Sources chapter. 


## 6.2 Visits To Woodland - On-Site Surveys

The previous section provided information on visits to all woodlands (regardless of ownership), based on data from household surveys.  This section provides information on visits to Forestry England/ Forestry and Land Scotland/ Natural Resources Wales/ Forest Service woodland only, based on data from on-site surveys and administrative sources. The information provided in this section covers: 

- Visits to the National Forest Estate in Scotland (Forestry and Land 
Scotland woodlands) from the All Forests Scotland surveys run from 2004 to 2007 and in 2012-13.  An updated estimate of total visits in 2016 is also provided. 
- Day visitors to Northern Ireland Forest Service sites where an admission 
charge was made.  

## 6.2.1 Scotland All Forests Survey

All Forests surveying in Scotland has been undertaken on two occasions. The first All Forests Survey in Scotland was carried out across a three-year period from June 2004 to June 2007, and estimated that around 8.2 million visits are made annually to Forestry and Land Scotland woodland. An estimated 150-200 thousand visits to events in forests and around 300 thousand visits during the hours of darkness (when fieldwork was not undertaken) were also made, giving an overall total of around 8.7 million visits per year. The second All Forests Survey was carried out from November 2012 to October 2013, and estimated an annual total of 9.1 million visits (including visits to events and in the hours of darkness) to Forestry and Land Scotland woodland. This represents a 5% increase on the estimated overall total of 8.7 million visits from the 2004-2007 survey. The estimated number of visits has been updated using data from 224 automatic counters at 165 sites.  For sites without counters, estimates have been produced using the results from the 2012-13 All Forests Survey and advice from local managers.  This gives an overall estimate of 10.2 million visits to Forestry and Land Scotland woodland in 2016, a 12% increase from 2012-13. Further information is available on the Forestry and Land Scotland website at https://forestryandland.gov.scot/what-we-do/tourism-andrecreation/research-resources-guidance. 


## 6.2.2 Northern Ireland Forest Service Day Visitors

Information on visitors to Forest Service sites in Northern Ireland is provided by the Forest Service and relates only to sites where an admission charge is made. In Northern Ireland in 2019-20, 465 thousand people visited those Forest Service sites where an admission charge was made (Table 6.6).  This represented a 13% decrease from the previous year, and is reflective of new partnership agreements with local councils for the management of recreation facilities in Forest Service forests coming into effect. 

   thousands 
Year 
Visitors to Forest 
Service sites 
2010-11 
468 
2011-12 
430 
2012-13 
340 
2013-14 
364 
2014-15 
397 
2015-16 
432 
2016-17  
584 
2017-18 
509 
2018-19 
532 
2019-20 
465 

 
Source: Forest Service Notes: 
1. Number of people visiting sites where an admission charge was made, excluding campers. These figures are outside the scope of National Statistics.  For further information see the Sources chapter.