Each Park has its own identity, reflecting the elements of the nature contained within it and the\u00a0character of the people who call it home.<\/p>\n
In this guide we\u2019ll be revealing the various ingredients required to sustain and enhance these treasured places, not to mention stunning wildlife spectacles and exhilarating walks found throughout the\u00a0UK\u2019s 15 national parks.<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> Yorkshire architect and rambler John Dower led the campaign for national parks in the 1930s and then, during and after the Second World War, worked with the Government on plans to create \u201cextensive areas of beautiful and relatively wild country for the nation\u2019s benefit\u201d.<\/p>\n In England and Wales, national parks have\u00a0two statutory purposes: to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage; and to provide the public with enjoyment and an understanding of the special qualities of national parks. If both the statutory purposes are achieved, national parks\u00a0also have the duty to: seek to foster the socio-economic development of local communities.<\/p>\n The Broads was given equivalent status to that of a national park, with one additional purpose:\u00a0\u201cprotecting the interests of navigation over and above the two given to the English national park Authorities\u201d.<\/p>\n Meanwhile in Scotland, the parks have four aims: to conserve and enhance the natural and cultural heritage of the area; to promote sustainable use of the natural resources of the area; to promote understanding and enjoyment (including enjoyment in the form of recreation) of the special qualities of the area by the public; to promote sustainable economic and social development of the area\u2019s communities.<\/p>\n Some critics say the UK\u2019s national parks are not truly national because they\u2019re not owned by the nation and that they\u2019re not truly national parks because, in places, their natural beauty is marred by development and industry. But what a sad and deprived country this would be without them.<\/p>\n Not everything about our national parks is perfect, though: traffic congestion blights the hotspots, while access to many parks isn\u2019t easy for anyone without their own transport; there is a lack of affordable housing for locals; there are conflicts of interest between conservation and commerce; some important habitats are under threat, and funding has been cut.<\/p>\n In England, a review of protected landscapes is underway that could improve matters and maybe create another wave of national parks. In the meantime, let\u2019s cherish the parks we have and hope for even better in the future.<\/p>\n There are currently 15 national parks in the UK. These protected areas are set aside for their beautiful countryside, wildlife and cultural heritage.<\/p>\n The 15 national parks were established in the UK between 1951 and 2010. There are\u00a010 national parks in England (covering a land surface area of 9.3%), three national parks in Wales (covering a surface area of 19.9.%), and two national parks in Scotland (covering a land surface area of 7.2%). Northern Ireland currently has no national parks.<\/p>\n The Cairngorms in Scotland is the UK\u2019s largest national park \u2013 it is almost twice the size of the Lake District and is home to four of the five highest mountains in Britain. The park is pockmarked with\u00a060 lochs and many more lochans (small lochs), along with more\u00a0than half the surviving Caledonian forest. It was first established in 2003, before being extended in 2010.<\/p>\n The Lake District is the largest national park found in England, comprising 912 square miles of high mountains, lakes, rivers and coastline.<\/p>\n Words: \u00a0John Craven (above), BBC Countryfile Magazine (below)<\/em><\/p>\n Dartmoor is a breathtaking and mysterious place. \u00a0The national park comprises 386 square miles of moorlands, forests, rivers, wetlands and craggy granite tors.<\/p>\n The area is considered by many to be Britain\u2019s bleakest national park, but in spite of this reputation its varied habitats and prehistoric remains are a great draw for many outdoor enthusiasts.<\/p>\n You can explore the park by boot, bike and horseback, while a smattering of small villages and towns provide a great based from which to begin and end your adventures. Wildlife highlights include otters<\/a>,\u00a0which breed all year round\u2013 here, you are as likely to see one in the depths of winter as you are at the height of summer. They can be found in all the main rivers in and around Dartmoor, but are hard to spot.<\/p>\n This huge moorland scattered with staggering granite tors in the south-east of Devon is a hiker\u2019s paradise.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> The Lake District National Park comprises 912 square miles of high mountains, lakes, rivers and coastline. No wonder, then, that it was loved so dearly by Beatrix Potter, Alfred Wainwright, Arthur Ransome, and William and Dorothy Wordsworth \u2013 along with the 16 million visitors it receives every year.<\/p>\n The Lake\u2019s landscape is steeped with footpaths,\u00a0and by\u00a0simply climbing from your tent or stepping out of your front door,\u00a0you\u2019re likely to find yourself walking some ancient trail\u00a0with unerring scenery flanking your gait.<\/p>\n Britain\u2019s native red squirrels first appeared 10,000 years ago at the end of the last ice age when the land between Britain and Europe began to disappear. These acrobatic rodents are one of the UK\u2019s most loved animals and can be seen in the Lake District.<\/p>\n Of all the national parks in Britain, the Lake District in Cumbria is arguably the most celebrated \u2013 discover the the area\u2019s fells, rivers, waters and towns with our favourite walks.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> Home to a mix of mountains and moorland, standing stones, castles, waterfalls and wildlife, the\u00a0Brecon Beacons National Park\u00a0<\/a>extends for 42 miles from east to west, and is divided into three distinct areas: the\u00a0Black Mountains\u00a0in the east, the\u00a0Brecon Beacons\u00a0and\u00a0Fforest Fawr\u00a0in the centre, and\u00a0the Black Mountain\u00a0region (formerly called the Camarthen Fans) in the largely Welsh-speaking west.<\/p>\n As well as mountains to climb, there is a huge range of outdoor activities to try \u2013 mountain biking, horse riding, abseiling, paragliding, rafting and more. The region is also one of the UK\u2019s four International Dark Skies Reserves<\/a> and part of the national park is a UNESCO Global Geopark<\/a>, protecting and showcasing its geology, archaeology and history.<\/p>\n Thirty years ago, the number of red kites in Britain was down to near single figures. Since then, careful breeding programmes have brought this magnificent bird of prey, famous for its russet colour and forked tail, back from the brink. Red kites have been reintroduced in the Chilterns, the Midlands and parts of Scotland, but mid Wales and the Beacons provides a chance to see native kites in their ancient stronghold.<\/p>\n From spectacular ridgelines and mountains to glistening waterfalls, rivers and lakes, the Brecon Beacons National Park in South Wales has something for everyone. Our guide looks at the best walks in the Brecon Beacons \u2013 all within an hour\u2019s drive of several major cities.<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> More than 2,000 grey seal pups were born on the coastline near Horsey this winter (2018\/2019). Seals are remarkably well adapted to their environment and have developed some truly impressive senses to help them thrive in it. They can taste minute variations in seawater salinity and smell a chemical released when zooplankton feed on phytoplankton, both indicators of potentially rich feeding areas.<\/p>\n But you don\u2019t need a boat to discover Norfolk\u2019s wildlife-rich waterways and wild beaches. Our guide explores some of the best walks in the Norfolk Broads, each with its own walking map and directions.<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> The Cairngorms National Park was established in 2003, and later extended in 2010.<\/p>\n It is Britain\u2019s largest national park \u2013\u00a0almost twice the size of the Lake District \u2013 and is home to four of the five highest mountains in Britain. The park is pockmarked with\u00a060 lochs and many more lochans (small lochs), along with more\u00a0than half the surviving Caledonian forest.<\/p>\n A quarter of Britain\u2019s threatened animal, plant, insect and fungi species are found in the Cairngorms, some of which are endemic to the park. It\u2019s also one of the best places on our islands to see the elusive pine marten.<\/p>\n The Cairngorms teems with towering trees, shimmering lochs and busy wildlife. Take a hike through this vast, untamed area of Scotland with our list of the area\u2019s best walks.<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> Discover more about the UK\u2019s national parks<\/h4>\n
![\""Pembrokeshire\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2018\/09\/pembrokeshirecover-5334ecc.jpg?quality=45&resize=556,556"\" "\\"\"Pembrokeshire\\"\/")
<\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/section>What is a national park?<\/h2>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2019\/10\/GettyImages-188048692-88bdd08.jpg?quality=90&resize=619%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>How many national parks are there in the UK?<\/h2>\n
When were Britain\u2019s national parks established?<\/h2>\n
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<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Which is the biggest national park in the UK?<\/h2>\n
15 national parks of the UK<\/h2>\n
Dartmoor National Park<\/h3>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2018\/09\/Dartmoor-bcc8ef3.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C405"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Dartmoor walks<\/h4>\n
![\""Brentor,\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2018\/11\/Brentor-Devon-6661a22.jpg?quality=45&resize=556,556"\" "\\"\"Brentor,\\"\/")
<\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/section>Lake District National Park<\/h3>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2018\/09\/GettyImages-128040883-40a12d8.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Lake District walks<\/h4>\n
![\""Lake\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2019\/06\/Lake-District-Cumbria-0a85f59.jpg?quality=45&resize=556,556"\" "\\"\"Lake-District-Cumbria\"\\"\/")
<\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/section>Brecon Beacon National Park<\/h3>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2019\/01\/Waterfall-Country-Vale-of-Neath-Wales-f5c4378.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Brecon Beacons walks<\/h4>\n
![\""Hiker\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2019\/02\/Hiker-in-the-Brecon-Beacons-0369ec0.jpg?quality=45&resize=556,556"\" "\\"\"Hiker-in-the-Brecon-Beacons\"\\"\/"){kind=tracking}
<\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/section>Broads National Park<\/h3>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2018\/05\/Horsey-Mill-fb9cf56.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Broads walks<\/h4>\n
![\""River\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2018\/09\/GettyImages-471057844-13311e2.jpg?quality=45&resize=556,556"\" "\\"\"River\\"\/")
<\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/section><\/div>\nCairngorms National Park<\/h3>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2018\/09\/9.-Cairngorms2C-Scotland-9ac0697.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Cairngorms walks<\/h4>\n
Best walks in the Cairngorms National Park<\/a><\/h4>\n
![\""Clear\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2020\/12\/Loch-Morlich-Cairngorms-fd00393.jpg?quality=45&resize=556,556"\" "\\"\"Loch\\"")
<\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/section>Exmoor National Park<\/h3>\n