One in Five Brits Rarely Experience a Full Day Outdoors, Study Reveals
A recent poll of 2,000 adults has uncovered that one in five Brits never get the chance to spend a full day outside, primarily due to poor weather, a lack of free time, and work commitments. The research, commissioned by The Camping and Caravanning Club, found that 21% of respondents only manage a day or longer outdoors once or a few times a year, with 5% experiencing this less than once annually.
Barriers to Outdoor Access
The main obstacles preventing more time in nature include a lack of personal time (21%), working in an office (16%), and childcare responsibilities (10%). These factors vary by generation, with Millennials more affected by family duties (21%) and Gen Zs losing interest in outdoor activities (11%), often due to indoor-based hobbies (13%).
As a result, the average person spends just 84 minutes daily outdoors, with 5% reporting fewer than five minutes. When it comes to contact with green spaces, time drops to only half an hour per day, and 22% have under five minutes of daily nature interaction.
Generational Differences and Life Stages
The study highlighted generational trends, with 25-34-year-olds being the most outdoorsy, averaging 104 minutes daily and 11% spending six hours or more. In contrast, those aged 45-54 average only 73 minutes outdoors, though time increases again after age 55 as responsibilities ease.
Key life stages impacting outdoor time include entering full-time work (48%) and starting a family (18%). Educational milestones like university enrollment (11%) and moving to secondary school (12%) also play a role. Additionally, 28% believe their generation spends less time outside than previous ones, blaming technology such as increased screen time (55%) and digital entertainment (47%).
Aspirations for More Nature Time
Despite these challenges, 61% of Brits aim to increase their outdoor time. Plans include visiting new outdoor places (31%), going on more walks (24%), making social plans outside (25%), and setting daily or weekly goals (24%). One in ten specifically intend to go camping for longer excursions.
Sabina Voysey, director general at The Camping and Caravanning Club, commented: "Outdoor time is obviously important, but we also acknowledge how hard it can be due to everything else we have on our plates. Taking a holiday that allows proper disconnection and reconnection with nature is a great option to boost your outdoor dose."
She added: "It's such a shame that we don't get more opportunities as a nation to get outdoors. When you do find that motivation to disconnect and breathe in the fresh air, it can't be beaten."
