National Parks of Britain
Fourteen locations across England, Wales and Scotland currently hold National Park status, with a fifteenth proposal for the South Downs pending appointment to the National Park institute for beauty, history and conservation. They are areas of unique beauty and heritage covering mountains, meadows, moorland, woodland, wetland, towns and villages but don’t take our word for it. Discover the timeless landscape protected and preserved for today and tomorrow.
Dartmoor National Park : Dartmoor covers a vast expanse of continually changing terrain including open moorland, ancient woodlands, the lofty High Willhays – climbing to 2040 ft and down into the valleys and wetlands. Explore the different aspects of Dartmoor on foot, on a bicycle, from horseback or via canoe on the River Dart and experience the perfect blend of modern luxuries alongside historic scenery, buildings, farmers markets, Neolithic monuments and the largest collection of Bronze Age artefacts in the UK. The famous Dartmoor ponies share the moors with wild deer, otters play on the riverbanks and birds of prey rule the skies.
To keep up your strength, savour the fine Devon cooking and hospitality, which offers Michelin Star restaurants, homemade cream teas, cheeses, honey, cakes and locally produced meat, vegetables and most importantly, ales. Relax into a slower pace of life enjoyed by many residents in the hamlets, villages and towns across the Dartmoor National Park.
Exmoor National Park: Although one of the smallest National Parks, Exmoor manages to offer every terrain and sprawls across acres of Devon and Somerset. With beaches to the North, then sweeping South over rolling hills and up some of the highest cliffs in Britain to meadows, wild moorland, wooded valleys and the deep waters of the River Exe and River Barle.
Steeped in history and folklore, the magical wilds of Exmoor are home to the native Exmoor pony, wild red deer, badgers, foxes, birds. The landscape provides perfect conditions for many activities such as fishing, bird watching, walking, mountain biking, horse riding, sailing, kayaking, rock climbing or a trip on the West Somerset Steam Railway.
Sample West Country hospitality in the picturesque hamlets and villages and dine on fresh local produce daily in a unique location where not only the dishes but the endless views change with the seasons.
New Forest: the New Forest is a true walkers paradise with over 140,000 acres, which can also be explored on a bicycle or on horseback with numerous locations to stop and picnic, relax, play or have an afternoon nap. Home to the New Forest ponies, donkeys, cattle and free-range pigs, the area also has many wildlife centres, activity parks, museums, historic buildings and stunning gardens, successfully offering attractions and entertainment for all the family.
The terrain covers thick woodland, heath land, farmland and soft bogs, leading to the mudflats and salt marshes of the coast and is under two hours from London with good motorway access for a great week away or short break in one of the last true “breathing spaces” of England.
Norfolk Broads: the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads is the largest protected wetland and third largest inland waterway in Britain with the status of a National Park. The Norfolk wetlands are home to some of the rarest plants and animals in the UK, which makes it a great location for bird watching, and currently welcomes over two million visitors each year.
Norfolk’s greatest attractions are the open waterways, 125 miles of uninterrupted sailing and motor boating on lock-free rivers, canoeing and freshwater fishing. The unique terrain also offers many walking and cycle routes with historic buildings, gardens, workshops and theme parks spread across the remote landscape and leading towards the coastal resort of Great Yarmouth.
With good over ground rail links and motorway access, the Norfolk Broads make an accessible and stress-free getaway for activity holidays, boating enthusiasts, wildlife fans and relaxing breaks in a diverse and refreshing part of Britain.
Lake District: Birthplace of the Cumberland Sausage, the Lake District is Britain’s largest National Park, displaying a mountainous landscape punctuated by deep valleys and crystal lakes. It is also home to Lake Windermere, Britain’s largest lake and a haven for sailing, fishing, mountain biking and hill climbing.
The Lake District also offers deep rivers rushing through low valleys, towering forests and crashing down mountainsides in impressive waterfalls while red deer and Osprey are just a few of the local residents you may find going about their day to day business within the dramatic landscape.
Often forgotten, the Lake District also covers a stunning stretch of the Peninsular Coast with beautiful farmland, mud flats and salt marshes creating a wildlife haven in a virtually uninhabited location.
Yorkshire Dales: The Yorkshire Dales stretch across the central Pennines covering areas of North Yorkshire and Cumbria and offer some of the best caving in the UK with a subterranean utopia hidden beneath the surface of the earth. The landscape is chequered with pathways for walkers, cyclists and horse riders to explore the area on short or long-distance routes, the Pennine Way, Dales Way and the Coast-to-Coast Walk all pass through the Yorkshire Dales, as does the world famous Settle-Carlisle railway line.
Afterwards relax in historic towns, market towns, picturesque villages and enjoy a bit of Northern hospitality. Fresh local produce and local crafts are a few of the delights available from markets and shops across the park whilst historic buildings, gardens and numerous attractions make it much more than just a sports enthusiasts playground.
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