Three-quarters of urban households visit urban green spaces most weeks, new CSO figures show.

Over 74% of urban households visit urban green spaces most weeks for recreational purposes while 31% of households visit a forest or woodland, the statistics reveal.

Around 31% of households visit fields, farmland or the countryside most weeks for recreational purposes while over 78% went for a walk during their most recent visit.

The CSO release shows that almost €46 million was spent by households on their most recent visit to nature areas for recreational purposes.

The ‘Household Environmental Behaviours’ survey analyses the frequency and location of visits to nature.

The survey found that 32% of occupied private households visit urban green spaces for recreational purposes most days with a further 34% visiting most weeks.

In urban areas 74% of households visit at least most weeks compared with 48% in rural areas.

Woodland

Around 31% of households visit a woodland for recreational purposes most weeks while 31% of households visit fields, farmland or the countryside most weeks.

Asked about their most recent visit, 31% of household visits were to urban green spaces with a further 26% to beach and coastline areas and 13% to fields, farmland or countryside.

Around 60% of households used private motorised transport while 35% went on foot or by bicycle or wheelchair.

Around 24% of visits were within one kilometre while a further 26% of visits were to a location within five kilometres.

Walking was the most popular activity on the most recent visit, being reported by 78% of households.

Scenery

Around 43% enjoyed appreciating scenery, 28% reported eating and drinking out, 23% spent time playing with children and 19% watched wildlife.

The total expenditure by households on their most recent visit for recreational purposes was €45.9 million of which 49% was on food and drink and 27% was spent on motor fuels.