Tony Bywater from Salop Leisure, which has sales centres in Shrewsbury, Machynlleth and Stourport, has welcomed the Real Richness report compiled by leading academics in the field of outdoor education at Liverpool John Moores University for The Camping and Caravanning Club.

The academics also gathered information from an online survey amongst 1,000 adults and 500 children aged seven to 11 who have experience of camping or caravanning and 1,000 adults and 500 children aged 7-11 who have never camped to holidayed in a caravan.

The research, which took place in February this year, revealed that 93 per cent were made happier by camping and caravanning. The club said there was growing evidence that simply spending time outdoors surrounded by nature is linked to improved psychological wellbeing.

Dr Kaye Richards, from Liverpool John Moores University, said: “Camping and caravanning allows us to get away from the routines – and relative comforts – of our daily lives. Even though camping and caravanning today is a much more comfortable experience thanks to modern equipment and facilities, the simple fact that we have taken ourselves out of our normal environment and into a different one, surrounded by nature, means we act, think and even communicate differently with each other.”

Half of all adults interviewed said they felt most happy when they were spending time with family and friends, whilst 96 per cent of kids said they felt happy when playing with their friends outdoors. 85% of adults thought camping and caravanning can make you healthier and nearly half though it should be prescribed on the NHS!

The idea that spending time in nature is ‘good for our physical health and mental wellbeing’ is not a new one. The World Health Organisation estimates that depression and depression-related illnesses will become the greatest source of ill health by 2020. Predictions like these are putting pressure on Governments to encourage people to spend more time with nature.

In the United States, ‘therapeutic camping’ has a long tradition, going back to the early 1900s and the emergence of ‘tent therapy’.

Mr Bywater, who has been involved in the caravan industry for 45 years, is a firm believer in the therapeutic benefits of caravanning.

“I sincerely believe that doctors ought to prescribe caravan holidays to people with serious health problems to aid their recovery,” he said. “We have many examples of touring caravans, static holiday homes and motorhomes giving people a new lease of life.

“Business owners and managers who spend a relaxing weekend in their caravan are able to return to work refreshed on a Monday and they tell us that they are able to do their job a lot better.”