New report and research reveal why people need gardens.

• Reactions to the report
• What gardens mean to the National Trust
• View the full report
• Listen to Stourhead's head gardener reflect on what gardens mean to him.

'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 MORI survey commissioned by the National Trust to coincide with the publication today of its new report, Space to Grow: why people need gardens.

Reactions to the report

©National Trust

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.'

What gardens mean to the National Trust

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 report also highlights gardens’ role as important havens for wildlife, as gene banks for endangered plant species and as barometers of climate change.

Bettina Harden, Chairman of the Gateway Gardens Trust, which helps disadvantaged groups such as refugees and children from deprived urban areas experience the gardens at many Trust properties, sees access to green spaces as a basic human right. 'Gardens offer infinite resources to feed our needs as people,' said Bettina.

'One refugee child, amazed to discover the beauty of the walled gardens at Dinefwr asked us whether he was in paradise. A group of school children with no access to gardens of their own, planted and tended their own plot at Moseley Old Hall in Staffordshire and wrote amazing poems and drew pictures about their experience, it was a spectacular success.'

© National Trust

Mike Calnan, Head of Gardens & Parks at the National Trust, said: 'Gardens and gardening have a special place in our national culture. Our collective interest in gardening far outweighs that of any other country – our survey showed that over half the population believes that Britain is a nation of gardeners.

'Octavia Hill, one of the Trust’s founders, was passionate about the idea that gardens could serve as ‘open air sitting rooms’. Indeed, the National Trust was very nearly called the ‘Commons and Gardens Trust and caring for gardens so they can be enjoyed by millions of people each year remains a massive part of what we do.'

The Ipsos MORI 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.

Hear Stourhead's Head Gardener reflect on what gardens mean to him