Over half of Brits are keen to spend more time in the great outdoors

19 July 2023 , 11:19

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Sailing has topped a list of outdoor activities Brits want to take up in 2023 (Image: SWNS)

Over half of Brits (54%) are keen to spend more time outdoors - and would consider taking up activities include sailing, horse riding, and archery in order to do so.

Other outdoor pursuits that adventurous Brits would push themselves to try include hot air ballooning, paddleboarding, and canoeing

A poll of 2,000 adults found that 55% consider themselves an “outdoorsy” person – with three-quarters (76%) saying their top reason for wanting to take up a new outdoor pastime is to improve their physical and mental health.

Wild swimming, rowing, hiking, and rock-climbing rounded out the top 10 – with four in ten saying that feel more “alive” when they are in a green, open space.

Other motivations include to spend more time in natural sunlight (60%), while 58% believe breathing clean air can only be a good thing.

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However, 44% don't think they will realistically spend any more time outside this year, compared to last year.

To enter the Volvic x Beautiful Destinations competition, please visit @volvic or @beautifuldestinations on Instagram (Volvic)

The research was commissioned by Volvic, ahead of launching a one-of-a-kind competition to win a stay at the Chaîne des Puys, at the heart of the brand’s water source – which will include an adrenaline-fuelled itinerary to experience the outdoors like never before.

It also emerged more than a third (34%) of respondents don’t believe they get a good balance of time indoors and outdoors – although in the last 12 months, 34% have hiked, while 33% have been for a run, and 18% have mountain biked.

And 63% want to challenge themselves, both physically and mentally, in the next 12 months, according to the data from OnePoll.com.

Over two-thirds (67%) rated being outdoors in nature as something that boosted their mental health most, ahead of reading or talking to loved ones.

Fishing, horse riding, and rock climbing were other activities that have provided positivity in the last 12 months.

And as well as the mental health benefits, 65% have seen a noticeable improvement in their physical health as a result of getting out in the great outdoors.

Tomas Rojas, from Volvic, said: “We can’t wait to welcome the lucky pair to Europe's largest regional park and the home of Volvic.

“We’re passionate about connecting with nature and enjoying the outdoors to help boost our physical and mental wellbeing, which is why we're thrilled to offer this once-in-a-lifetime adventure in the stunning Chaîne des Puys region this summer.”

To enter the Volvic and Beautiful Destinations competition, please visit @volvic or @beautifuldestinations on Instagram.

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Top 10 outdoor activities adults would like to try in 2023:

1. Sailing
2. Archery
3. Hot air ballooning
4. Canoeing
5. Paddleboarding
6. Horse riding
7. Wild swimming
8. Hiking
9. Rock climbing
10. Rowing

Martin Winter