Oxford News
1 in 5 Brits never get to spend a full day outside per year
A poll of 2,000 adults found 21% admitted they are only able to spend a day or longer outside once or a handful of times a year – with 5% saying they get this chance less than once in any given 12-month period.
Other main barriers to spending more time in nature were identified as a lack of time to themselves (21%), working in an office (16%), and childcare commitments (10%).
Some factors affected some generations more than others, as significantly more Millennials (21%) have their outside time impacted by the responsibilities of raising a family.
Gen Zs say they’ve simply lost interest in outdoor activities
Whereas a higher number of Gen Zs say they’ve simply lost interest in outdoor activities (11% versus 7% overall), possibly because all their hobbies are based indoors (13% versus 10% overall).
Barriers such as these mean the average person spends just 84 minutes a day in the incredible outdoors – and are stuck inside the rest of the time.
5% even confirmed they spend fewer than five minutes enjoying the outdoors in a 24-hour period.
When it comes to actually seeing anything green or growing, time spent reduces further to only half an hour per day – and a significant 22% have under five minutes of daily contact with nature.
Sabina Voysey, director general at The Camping and Caravanning Club , which commissioned the research, said: “Outdoor time is obviously important, but we also acknowledge how hard it can be to spend time in it due to everything else we have on our plates.
“This is one of the reasons we’re so passionate about the benefits of being able to properly switch off and reconnect with nature for longer periods.
“Which is why taking a holiday that has this built in makes it a great option to up your weekly, monthly, or yearly dose of the incredible outdoors.”
What age group spends the least amount of time outdoors?
But how does your age compare to different generations when it comes to ‘touching grass’?
An interactive timeline , developed by the club, shows the exact age where hours spent outdoors tails off due to other commitments – so you can see how you’re doing for your age group.
Factors such as furthering a career, raising a family, and balancing a hectic social life all contribute to time spent immersed in nature at various points, but find out if the barriers you’ve experienced or are facing now are the same as your peers.
The most outdoorsy cohort of 25-34-year-olds are able to spend an average of 104 minutes in the fresh air per day and the highest proportion of this group (11%) habitually do so for six hours or more.
What encourages you to get outside in the fresh air? (Image: Maria Sbytova/Getty)
Those between the ages of 45 and 54 only spend 73 minutes not stuck indoors on a typical day.
Time spent outside then starts to increase again steadily when adults hit the age of 55, reflecting a return to a slower pace of life and easing of responsibilities.
But 61% have aspirations to turn this around and actively make an effort to increase the time they spend in nature.
Methods they are planning to use to achieve this aim included thinking about new outdoor places they want to visit (31%) or walks to go on (24%), making more social plans that take place outside (25%) and setting daily or weekly goals to hit (24%).
One in 10 (10%) are also specifically planning to take longer excursions by going camping.
The research also found which life stages have the largest impact on the time people have to connect with nature, with going into full-time work at number one (48%) and starting a family coming in second place (18%).
Educational milestones such as enrolling in university (11%) or moving up to secondary school (12%) were also mentioned.
When the 28% who believe their generation spends less time outside than the previous one were asked why this is, most pointed the finger at technology.
As increased screen time (55%), more digital, indoor entertainment options (47%), and an overall overreliance on tech (48%) were to blame for this perception, according to the OnePoll.com figures.
It may be this inability to switch off which has become a staple of modern life that has led some (51%) to enjoy fewer extended periods outdoors, to reduce the chance of becoming distracted when they venture back inside.
Aside from being able to disconnect (41%), key reasons for those who actively prefer this option were finding they are able to relax more (54%), properly immerse themselves in nature (38%), and explore new places (38%).
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Sabina Voysey, for The Camping and Caravanning Club, added: “It’s such a shame that we don’t get more opportunities as a nation to get outdoors and re-connect with nature.
“It’s understandable given the pace of life most people have, with multiple commitments on their time.
“But I think all can agree when you do find that motivation to disconnect and breathe in the fresh air, it can’t be beaten.”
How much time do you spend outdoors and with nature? Let us know in the comments below.
Oxford News
All holidays cancelled due to collapsed UK travel company
On the Content Ltd was a private limited company that was officially dissolved via a strike-off on April 14, 2026.
The business was originally incorporated on November 24, 2022, and operated with directors Anna Louise Cole and Roma Cots Cole.
The Chipping Norton-based company was involved in travel agency activities, according to Companies House.
The most recent accounts it filed shows the business had just £40 in its bank, down from around £14,000 the year before.
READ MORE: Electric car company collapses into administration with £56m debt
At the financial year ending March 2025, the accounts also show On the Content Ltd had trade debts of £12,396 and owed £215 in tax.
On the Content is not the only Oxfordshire travel company to close in recent weeks.
The Padel Travel Club Limited, which operated from a Henley address, organised padel‑themed breaks and training camps in the UK and overseas.
The business was incorporated in February 2023 and has since been removed from the Companies House register following a voluntary strike‑off, with the final notice of dissolution published in late May 2026.
And Set Sail Cruises Ltd, registered to an address in Bicester, was formally dissolved on March 17, 2026, after a strike-off process, meaning it no longer exists as a legal company.
The travel agency was incorporated on February 4, 2024 and listed its main activity as “travel agency activities”.
Oxford News
Oxford – Prosecutors to decide if sexual assault case will continue
Zion Zion, of Bierton Road, Aylesbury, was due to appear at Oxford Crown Court over a video link from hospital on Monday, June 15.
The 65-year-old is charged with two counts of sexual assault which relate to an incident in Oxford on January 7, 2023.
Zion has refused to co-operate with the proceedings so far and did not appear over the video link.
READ MORE: Busy classic car show in sunshine attracts villagers
Due to his refusal to co-operate, Zion is unrepresented.
During a previous court hearing, not guilty pleas were entered on the defendant’s behalf.
A trial date was previously given for November 22, 2027.
On June 15, the court heard an expert’s report had concluded Zion was not fit to plead.
The case will next be heard on August 17 to decide if the case will continue.
Oxford News
Oxford congestion charge hits hospitality hardest, survey shows
Oxfordshire County Council today (June 15) published a long-awaited report by Survation Ltd on the impact of the controversial congestion charge on 300 businesses across the city.
It presents a survey carried out by Indiefield on businesses in postcodes from OX1 to OX4 between April 30 and May 15.
READ MORE: Oxford: Elderly woman hospitalised after ‘attempted robbery’
The survey found that the most common pressure reported by businesses was rising costs (69 per cent), while economic uncertainty and transport or travel costs followed closely as key pressures, reported 61 per cent of businesses.
The impact of the congestion charge on Oxford’s businesses has been revealed in a new survey (Image: Oxfordshire County Council)
The survey found shop-front businesses, including retail, hospitality and tourism, were most likely to report the congestion charge has had a negative overall effect at 47 per cent compared to 24 per cent for other business types.
Shop-front businesses were similarly most to say to the charge has decreased customer numbers (58 per cent versus 18 per cent), made deliveries or servicing more difficult (57 per cent versus 33 per cent), and increased operating costs (43 per cent versus 33 per cent).
Across business types, 39 per cent said deliveries or servicing has become more difficult and more businesses have reported customer decreases (29 per cent) than increases (21 per cent).
However, overall, most businesses in Oxford said they are performing well (72 per cent) and 79 per cent of businesses who gave a view on their performance compared to a year ago said they are doing the same or better.
READ MORE: 15 caravans set up ‘unauthorised encampment’ in Oxford park
The council’s survey indicated that nearly half of businesses (48 per cent) reported no noticeable effect from the congestion charge, while 30 per cent reported negative impacts and 22 per cent positive.
Spend in Oxford’s suburban food and beverage destinations has gone down more than average with comparable cities, and businesses with mobile or transport-intensive operations reported sharper pressures on their trade, particularly around costs and travel.
More businesses in Oxford reported customer decreases (29 per cent) than increases (21 per cent) (Image: NQ)
Councillor Gareth Epps, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for transport, said: “This new data gives us an evidence-based picture of how businesses are faring in the city.
“There are many challenges affecting businesses at this time, and data can help us understand what is having an impact.
“While it’s great that nearly 80 per cent of businesses who gave a view on their performance compared to a year ago said they are doing the same or better, it is clear that many are feeling significant pressures due to a number of local and national factors.
“There is still more to do to improve travel in and around Oxford and help keep the city moving.
READ MORE: Police cordon off Oxford road amid ‘suspicious package’
“The traffic filters trial, from autumn, is one way we’ll further reduce traffic.”
It’s the first monitoring report on the impact of the temporary traffic scheme on businesses to have been published by the council, after it was initially promised that data would come out in January.
The temporary congestion charge has been in place on six roads in Oxford since October 29, designed to help reduce traffic while Botley Road remains closed and the traffic filter trial is delayed.
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