New research from The National Lottery reveals how much the public has missed visiting their ‘happy place’ – their favourite visitor attraction or venue – during lockdown restrictions, as well as the most popular ‘happy place’ locations around Wales.
The research was commissioned to celebrate The National Lottery Open Week and The National Lottery Cinema Weekend this month, which sees venues around the UK offer discounts and free entry as a thank you to National Lottery players for the £30 million raised for good causes every week.
Snowdonia National Park (48%) topped the poll as the place most people would consider the best attraction in Wales, followed by St Fagans National Museum of History in Cardiff (34%), Cardiff Castle, pictured, (29%) and National Botanic Gardens of Wales in Carmarthenshire (27%).
The types of ‘happy places’ missed most in lockdown are the wider countryside (61%), heritage sites such as castles and gardens (34%), and theatres or cinemas (28%).
The study reveals that almost 9 in 10 adults in Wales (88%) have missed their ‘happy place’ during lockdown, while more than half (55%) have developed a greater appreciation of the UK’s visitor attractions, cultural sites, history, and art in the wake of the pandemic.
Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Chair of the National Lottery Forum, said: “National Lottery Open Week and The National Lottery Cinema Weekend are really exciting moments in the year for us, where an amazing variety of venues and projects across the UK give thanks to National Lottery players for the £30 million they raise each week for good causes.
“Now, more than ever, people are excited to rediscover their happy place, or find a new one close to home, and we’re proud that so many incredible spaces across the arts, screen, heritage, sport, and community sectors have signed up to offer their thanks.”
The National Lottery has also commissioned photographer Tom Oldham to capture a portrait series celebrating people revisiting their happy places following lockdown.
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