Half of UK adults say they spend less than three hours a week outside in nature

Climbing trees, squelching in mud, paddling in ponds or making dens in the woods – people’s memories of playing outside as children are often vivid and, a new poll has found, overwhelmingly positive, even those who remember falling in cowpats. Almost 90% of UK adults had rosy memories of the excitement and the feeling of freedom that outdoor play had brought them, the survey found. However, almost half of adults now spend less than three hours a week in natural settings such as gardens, parks, fields or woods, according to the survey. For one in 10 it is less than one hour. The poll of 2,000 people carried out for the Wildlife Trusts found that this contrasted sharply with childhood, when almost two-thirds of people said they had spent more than half their free time outside. Spending time in nature is known to significantly benefit physical and mental health. Previous research has shown that regular access to green spaces reduces GP visits by 28% and could save the NHS £2bn a year . The government has committed to ensure everyone has access to a green space within a 15-minute walk of their home, but one in five households currently do not. Access is even worse in deprived areas. “Being outdoors in nature has so much joy to offer us all – fresh air, sunlight, birdsong and so many proven health benefits,” said Dom Higgins, head of health and education at the Wildlife Trusts. …