Visits to countryside by people in Yorkshire has increased by more than a quarter since lockdown

Findings showed 26 per cent of people have increased the amount of times they visit the countryside since lockdown was implemented in March.

The survey by Yorkshire Water also revealed more than a third of 18-34 year-olds (36 per cent) are the most likely to head outdoors.

Alastair Harvey, lead countryside and woodland advisor at Yorkshire Water, said: "The countryside offers a wide range of benefits from a pure exercise and physical fitness point of view but also to provide a break away from home, which has been particularly important during lockdown."

The leading reasons for people getting out and about in the countryside were for physical fitness, to experience the mental health benefits of the great outdoors and for a change of scenery instead of their homes, according to the survey.

Reservoirs were the favourite countryside destination of respondents aged 18-34, while those over 34 preferred forests.

And wherever people prefer to spend their time outdoors, people of all ages agreed that they enjoy the opportunity to spend time with family and friends.

Mr Harvey added: "As Yorkshire’s second largest landowner we have noticed a marked increase in visitors to our sites and it’s positive to see so many people increasing their visits to their local open spaces and countryside."

More than 245 customers were surveyed as part of an initiative to support National Tree Week, which runs until 6 December and marks the start of the winter tree planting season..

Those between 18 and 34 also named parks and lakes as top countryside destinations, ahead of riversides, beaches and country homes.

"It is important people visiting the countryside act responsibly, follow the countryside code and be considerate of others while visiting Yorkshire Water sites and other countryside locations," Mr Harvey added..

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