Major new research has revealed that nearly 2.5 billion trips were made to England's coast, countryside and open spaces during 2010-11, with visitor expenditure topping £17bn.

It is the second year of the Monitor of Engagement with the Natural Environment (MENE) survey - compiled by Natural England with support from the Forestry Commission. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has also helped with the research, which has involved a survey of more than 46,000 people in 'weekly waves'.

According to the findings, there were an estimated 2.49 billion visits to the countryside in 2010-11 - down 13 per cent on the figures for 2009-10. Forests and woodland areas received 13 per cent of all visits, an increase of two per cent on the previous year. The most significant decreases were trips to urban parks and spaces.

Natural England chair Poul Christensen said: "MENE is a fantastic tool that enables all those engaged at a national or a local level to assess the impact of policy and to make informed decisions in developing or promoting access to the natural environment." Image: Kevin Eaves/shutterstock.com