Uncovering Hidden Nature
Annual festival of people, places and community heads outdoors.
England’s largest festival of history and culture will return in September and, with support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery, Heritage Open Days (HODs) is heading outdoors to discover Hidden Nature.
Uncovering stories, sites, places and people that traditional history has missed or forgotten has always been at the heart of HODs. This year people are being encouraged to open their gates as well as their doors and celebrate England’s extraordinary natural heritage, which has never felt more vital than now.
A recent YouGov poll commissioned by the National Trust revealed:
- Interest in nature has risen by a third (33 per cent) since the start of lockdown.
- More than two-thirds (68 per cent) of adults either agreed or strongly agreed that spending time noticing the nature around them made them feel happy during lockdown.
- More than half the population (55 per cent) agreed or strongly agreed that they plan to make a habit of spending as much time in nature once things go back to normal.
It’s hoped HODs Hidden Nature events will encourage people to spend time outdoors and discover green spaces they were unaware of or had previously overlooked. Activities will open up areas of the countryside that aren’t normally accessible and reveal the stories of not just wide-open spaces, but smaller green environments such as community gardens, urban allotments, orchards and vineyards, and city farms.
Events aren’t limited to those accessible in person either. For the first time, the Heritage Open Days (HODs) programme will feature digital events, enabling nature lovers to take tours and explore the natural world from the comfort of their sofa.
Download the full press release (including event highlights and quotes) here