The relentless pace of urban life is leaving city dwellers feeling disconnected from nature. New research commissioned by Nestlé UK and Ireland reveals how one in five (19%) city residents feel out of touch with nature – increasing to 22% for Londoners – compared with just 9% of rural residents.

The study of 1,000 respondents – including those who live in cities and rural areas – highlights the biggest frustrations of missing nature in city life. For those living in the city, more than a third complain about the constant hum of traffic (36%), littered-strewn pavements (35%) and crowded streets (34%).

For many city dwellers, nature can feel like a distant memory. A fifth (19%) of those living in city centres admit that it’s been as long as six months since they last ventured into the countryside, despite acknowledging the positive impact the great outdoors has on their wellbeing. Urbanites are also more than half as likely (17% vs 11%) to say lack of greenery takes a toll on their mood. While a fifth (20%) say they can’t remember the last time they saw a farm animal.

Worryingly, the research found that nearly half (47%) of urbanites say they only step outside for essentials like walking to a shop, commuting to work (33%) or playing sports (22%).

To help city dwellers reconnect with nature, Nestlé UK and Ireland, in partnership with First Milk, the regenerative dairy co-operative, transformed a space in London into a farm for the day. The immersive ‘Farm Drop’ experience offered the ultimate dose of nature, bringing the serene farmland of Cumbria and Ayrshire – home to the cows that produce the milk for some of Nestlé products – straight to the heart of the city.

At the Farm Drop, visitors were invited to step into the sights, sounds and tranquillity of rural farm life. The sensory-enhanced space offered a condensed version of First Milk’s farmlands, and featured a guided mini farm experience, to learn about the farming practices which help create the perfect milk for Nestlé products, made here in the UK. The journey culminated on a sweet and satisfying note, with guests enjoying a KitKat and Nescafé Frothy Coffee made with 100% British milk sourced from First Milk farms.

Dr Emma Keller, Head of Sustainability at Nestlé UK & Ireland, said: “It’s a sad reality that so many people in the city feel disconnected from nature, especially when we all understand the benefits it offers both mentally and physically. We know how important the British countryside is, not just for our mental wellbeing but also how much we depend on it for the food and drink we produce here. For many city dwellers, getting out to the countryside to learn about agriculture can be difficult. That’s why we wanted to bring a piece of the great British farmland to the city for a respite from urban life.” 

The research reveals that almost seven in 10 (68%) urban residents say being outdoors lifts their mood, while 64% find it helps them relax and feel physically healthier (53%). As a result, 45% of urbanites long for more natural beauty where they live. 
 
The desire for a closer connection to nature extends to the choices people make, including their food. Nearly half (47%) of Brits care about where ingredients for their food are sourced, and the same number feel food producers should adopt practices that protect nature and the countryside.

For some, the connection goes beyond this. More than a third (34%) say they are more likely to buy a product if they know it is helping to protect the natural world, and one in four (25%) city residents express a desire to visit a farm to better understand where their food comes from.