Cultural constructs of nature and urbanity
Participants discussed natural spaces and urban settings in opposition to each other. Participants
enjoyed getting lost in wild spaces, and the feeling of being amongst large areas of open space, such
as up a hill in the Peak District (Participant 3) or experiencing the views of the city from Meersbrook Park
(Participant 8). In these places participants had a feeling of awe in relation to the natural environment.
There was a sense of spiritual escapism or ‘a little bit of paradise’ (Participant 1) in the green space or
‘small pockets of sanctuary’ (Participant 2) that the city offered. In the Botanical Gardens, Participant 4
could ‘pretend you’re in Narnia for half an hour’.