Survey Reveals The Green, Green Sites Of Home Are A Hit With Visitors

Visitors to Welsh woodlands, forests and National Nature Reserves (NNR) managed by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) have rated a high level of visitor satisfaction a recent survey has revealed. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The results of the survey commissioned by Natural Resources Wales showed that an impressive 93% of visitors felt that NRW sites were great places to visit and enjoy, rating their experience as either ‘excellent’ or ‘very good’. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Seven sites across Wales were surveyed to find out visitors views on NRW sites and whether they were well managed, welcoming and safe and the type of activities visitors participated in during their visit. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Rachel Parry, Access and Recreation Information Advisor, Natural Resources Wales said: ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“The picture is very positive with visitors enjoying their experience when visiting our recreation sites and using our facilities. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“By providing a quality visitor experience it was encouraging to know that over half of the survey’s respondents were repeat visitors and would recommend our sites as a great place to visit and enjoy the outdoors.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

• 93% rated NRW sites as ‘excellent’ or ‘very good’
• 91% of visitors go for a walk whilst visiting one of our woodlands or NNRs
• 89% rated NRW sites as ‘excellent’ or ‘very good’ on how safe and welcoming they felt
• 63% of visitors were repeat visitors
• 60% stated the main strength of the sites was the beautiful scenery

Newport Wetlands National Nature Reserve was the highest rated visitor attraction with 98% of visitors considering the sire ‘excellent or ‘very good’ and 97% of visitors considering the site safe and welcome. Additionally, visitors commented on the beautiful scenery and the variety of children’s activities available. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Hafod Uchtryd, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, managed in partnership with the Hafod Trust is one of the finest examples in Europe of a Picturesque landscape also received a high rating with 91% considering the site ‘excellent’ or ‘very good’ and 96% of visitors felt the site was safe and welcoming. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Rachel Parry added: ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Additionally, the survey results reflect the positive impact of green spaces on our health and wellbeing with visitors highlighting the benefits of the peace and tranquility of the sites, the fresh air and being outside.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​