Space to Grow: why people need gardens

"If you want to feel better, get out into a garden," says Alan Titchmarsh

Over 70 per cent of the population think that spending time in gardens is important for their quality of life. Given the choice, many would rather spend time in their gardens than in front of the television or shopping. The overwhelming majority of the public (80 per cent) also believe that children should learn about gardening and growing at school. These are the top findings from an Ipsos survey commissioned by the National Trust to coincide with the publication today of its new report, Space to Grow: why people need gardens. The nation's favourite gardener, Alan Titchmarsh, said: "I am delighted that the National Trust has produced this report to highlight how gardens and gardening can benefit everyone in society, regardless of age, background or circumstance. The message is clear, if you want to feel better get out into a garden. Never has access to a garden been more important for our spiritual and physical wellbeing than it is in today's rapidly changing landscape." Fiona Reynolds, Director General of the National Trust, said: "In today's fast-paced world, finding space and time to unwind and relax is becoming ever more crucial. "Nowhere does this better than the quiet corner of a garden or park that gives us the chance to breathe in our natural surroundings and refresh our weary spirit. I am passionate about the idea that everyone should have access to a garden or green space that they feel entitled to enjoy and use. Yet there is still a lack of awareness of the vast opportunities gardens can offer society which is why we've published this report today to highlight just how important they are." The National Trust cares for over 200 gardens and landscape parks, more than any other organisation in the UK. The report is the first of its kind to look at the significance of Trust gardens across different sectors, from their role helping children learn about growing food and the natural environment, to the contribution they make to improving the lives of many disadvantaged groups. The Ipsos research showed that for many people gardens are seen as places to unwind and de-stress and one in three of those surveyed consider gardens to be romantic places that can give your love life a boost. To coincide with the launch of the report, the National Trust has also created a downloadable recording of the sounds and atmospheres found in one of the finest gardens in its care - Stourhead in Wiltshire. And the Head Gardener at Stourhead, Alan Power, has recorded his thoughts on why gardens are such special places. Simply visit http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/spacetogrow A PDF copy of the report is available from the National Trust - Space to Grow website.

For further details of the research carried out by Ipsos please email Edward Langley.

Summary of Gardens Survey for the National Trust carried out by Ipsos

1. The importance of gardens and gardening for the general public Amongst the general public over 7 in 10 thought that it was important (critical, very, or fairly important) to their quality of life to spend time in gardens (71% agree). 
2. Reasons why gardens are important (amongst those who feel that it is at least fairly important to their quality of life to spend time in gardens). Gardens provide the public with an opportunity to unwind / relax. This is the most frequently mentioned response (68%) when people are asked why spending time in gardens is important to them. This is important to people irrespective of their age or life stage. 
3. Should all children learn about gardening, including growing food, at school? The majority of the public (80%) think that all children should learn about gardening including growing food at school. 38% of people strongly agree with this statement. 
4. Are we a nation of gardeners? Just over half the general public agree that we are a nation of gardeners (53%). 12% of people strongly agree with this statement. Agreement with this statement increases with age; from 31% of 15-24 year olds to 66% of people aged 65+. 
5. Gardens are romantic places which can give your love life a boost 1 in 3 members of the public consider gardens romantic places which can give your love life a boost (32% agree). Men (35%) are more likely than women (29%) to agree with this statement. 
6. Is spending time in a garden more enjoyable than shopping or watching TV? Out of those who believe spending time in gardens is of some importance to their quality of life, just under half (48%) feel it is on balance the most enjoyable activity of the three - 33% say watching TV, and 14% shopping.

Technical Note:

Ipsos conducted a survey of 956 adults aged 15+ in England and Wales, carried out between April 24 and April 30 2009 (question 1, 2, and 4 only). Question 3 is based on a survey of 1086 adults aged 15+ in England and Wales, carried out between 15 and 21 May 2009. Both surveys were conducted face-to-face, in home, using CAPI. Data is weighted to be representative of the adult, 15+, population of England and Wales.