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

^{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.

Additional resources

Sources chapter: Recreation