'I just followed my nose': understanding visitor wayfinding and information needs at forest recreation sites

This paper presents original research from a scoping study of visitor wayfinding and information needs at UK forest recreational sites. The starting point was dissatisfaction with road signs and information boards at Forestry Commission sites. The methodology recreated the first-time user experience, and combined semi-structured interviews, route and spatial analysis, and an audit of signs and environmental cues. Results indicated that wayfinding problems were related to the context and location of signs, rather than the materials and details of sign design, and encompassed broader issues such as site promotion, visitor expectations, wayfinding preferences, and the accessibility of information. Signs are costly to design, construct, install and maintain, and a crucial concern must be to provide the minimum information for maximum benefit, based on what the user needs to know at each stage. A signage model is proposed, and a toolkit is currently being developed to enable site managers to assess visitor information and wayfinding needs.