At the end of April, we undertook a survey of vistors to the wood over a single weekend. Huge thanks go to everyone who helped us: our group of brilliant volunteers, and all those who took time to chat to us about their experiences of the woods.
Across the Saturday and Sunday, Fishpond Wood welcomed an impressive 368 visitors. That translates to around 40,000 visits per year, which is a remarkable figure that speaks volumes about this cherished green space.
According to the survey, 78% of people come to Fishpond Wood at least once a week, underscoring its role as a vital part of regular life for many local people. Whether it’s for walking, unwinding, spotting wildlife including our brilliant bluebells (which continue to carpet the wood), or enjoying some peace and quiet, the wood is clearly a meaningful retreat.
37% of visitors walk to the woods, while 56% arrive by car. This suggests that while the wood is primarily a local spot, its appeal stretches beyond our local area and attracts visitors from further afield.
One of the most striking findings was that the visitor density per hectare is significantly higher than that of other local open spaces (like Wimbledon Common, for example).
These findings highlight what many of us already knew: Fishpond Wood is a much-loved, highly valued green space for our local community. As we continue to care for the wood and raise funds for the new path, it’s clear that the community sees it not just as a recreational spot, but as a shared treasure worth preserving.
Thanks again to all those who helped with the survey or answered our questions on the day – we’ll be using the results in our funding bid applications and they’ll paint a really useful and encouraging picture of the strength of community feeling towards the wood.
Here’s the full summary of our findings: