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The Wildlife Trusts defines low access as having at least 20% of properties more than a 15-minute walk from such a space. The results identified 238 constituencies meeting that threshold, equivalent to 44% of all English parliamentary constituencies. Some of the largest concentrations are in urban areas, with London accounting for 50 of the constituencies, followed by the South East with 42 and the North West with 28.
Harrow West, Croydon West and Nottingham East were among the constituencies with the lowest levels of access according to the analysis. The Wildlife Trusts’ head of health and education, Dom Higgins, told The Guardian access to nearby natural spaces is particularly relevant as extreme weather events become more significant for public health. The analysis examined Defra data and applied it to Westminster constituency boundaries to assess how easily people can reach accessible green and blue spaces. The charity points to evidence linking nature-rich environments with physical and mental health benefits, while stressing that these opportunities are not distributed equally.
The research therefore highlights a geographical dimension to access to nature: proximity alone does not guarantee that people can easily reach or use natural spaces. The charity has additionally called for improved access to major rivers, particularly in urban areas, and for community-led walking and cycling routes to be easier to establish. The Wildlife Trusts is now urging policymakers to use the data alongside local knowledge and public experiences when considering how England’s parks, waterways and other green spaces should be planned and maintained.
Its earlier analysis argues that new housing should increase, rather than reduce, access to nearby green space.