The National Trust thinks the countryside is scary for some people and they’re launching a campaign to find out what can be done to make it less frightening.

A recent report says that children spend 60% less time outdoors than their parents did at the same age. Playing games consoles and using computers, and worrying about safety, means young people spend far more time indoors than previous generations.

Because many people who live in cities and urban areas may not get the chance to spend time in the countryside, the National Trust thinks that more people find unknown rural areas scary. Worrying about getting lost on a walk, fewer people being around, and the lack of buildings can put some off enjoying the hills and fields of

the country.

Dame Fiona Reynolds, director general of the National Trust, says: “A lot of people aren’t confident in setting off for a walk. They can’t follow a map, there might be a farmer who tells them off, they may get lost. People find it inhibiting.”

Outdoor Nation is the National Trust’s new campaign to find out what people really think of the countryside, what might be putting them off visiting it and what would help them to spend more time in rural areas.

Dame Fiona thinks that more kids should have the chance to camp outdoors overnight: “…in a safe environment but one that stretches them, makes them able to explore.”

She also thinks that doctors should prescribe walks in the country to patients as research has found that spending time in nature has a calming and positive effect.

What do you think? Do you live in a town or city and wish you spent more time in the country? Or do you find the idea scary? If you do, what do you find most scary about the countryside? Write to us at newsdesk@firstnews.co.uk with Countryside as the subject title, or vote in the poll at www.firstnews.co.uk/polls