Britons asked to respect nature as UK enjoys outdoor summer

At the outset of the Covid pandemic in March last year, nature and walking enthusiasts across the country were confined to the villages, towns and cities they lived in after the government introduced a nationwide lockdown.

But with measures gradually easing and summer upon us, hikers are back out enjoying some of Britain's best beauty spots.

And according to a National Trust survey, almost 70 per cent of adults said they were looking forward to a walk in nature over the warmer months, with 46 per cent saying they could not wait to kick off their shoes for a barefoot stroll.

The YouGov poll of 2,193 adults also found 46 per cent were looking forward to going on a day trip to the countryside with their family this summer, while 42 per cent said they enjoyed a picnic in a green space.

As more people holiday at home this year due to the pandemic, the charity is urging people to protect the UK's wild spaces as they make the most of the great outdoors.

It is calling on everyone spending time in nature to care for it by binning their litter or taking it home with them, and avoid using disposable barbeques that are often abandoned and risk causing wildfires.

Last year, when restrictions were eased slightly and people flocked to nature spots, many National Trust sites struggled with high volumes of rubbish and dumped equipment from 'flycamping'.

The trust said cleaning up after visitors diverted rangers from their conservation work.

It said despite the efforts of staff and volunteers to avoid a similar situation this year, some beauty spots were already experiencing issues.

In the past two years, the RSPCA has received 8,000 reports of wildlife injured or caught up in litter.

Celia Richardson, director of communications and insight at the National Trust, said: "We know from the volume of visitors we're seeing at our places just how popular walking is for all age groups and we look forward to welcoming people over the summer as they enjoy the hundreds of walks across our landscapes, woodland, trails and coastal footpaths.

"With more people having to 'staycation' this summer due to restrictions on foreign travel we want people to be mindful of their surroundings and look after the very thing they are there to enjoy."

She added: "We all need to stick to pathways, to take litter home to recycle or dispose of, and not use disposable barbeques, which can be very hazardous."

From July, more than 100 National Trust sites will be launching it's "Get Set Go" initiative featuring a range of sensory and playful activities designed to appeal to children and the young at heart.

The scheme aims to help families get active and connect with nature through challenges such as "go barefoot", "make a splash" and "work together".

Annie Reilly, experience development manager at the National Trust said: "With people's desire to reconnect with family and friends, and to enjoy time outdoors and the simple and sensory pleasures in life, we will be concentrating on ensuring families can do just that at many of our places this summer by providing safe spaces to enjoy and to have fun."

Some 60 per cent of the respondents said they have more appreciation of the simple and sensory pleasures in life since the start of the pandemic.

Lockdown had the biggest impact on the youngest cohort's relationship with nature, with 75 per cent of those aged 18 to 24 saying they now had a greater appreciation of life's little pleasures.

Just over half, 51 per cent, said they felt their children or grandchildren had more of an appreciation of simple pleasures, largely due to having more time to spend outdoors during lockdown.

And 52 per cent said listening to the sound of the sea was one of the simple pleasures they are looking forward to.