Your Guide to Britain's National Parks

In 1951, the first area of land to be designated a National Park in Great Britain was the Peak District.

In 2008, there are 14, (South Downs is proposed as the 15th) and internationally there are around 6,000 National Parks and similarly protected areas cover approximately 12% of the Earth's surface.

Today National Parks in the UK, are areas of the countryside which incorporates peoples homes, villages, towns, as well as beautiful unique landscapes and wildlife.

They are all wonderful places to explore and visit - they have unique attractions, a choice of accommodation from traditional guest houses, modern bed and breakfasts, self catering houses, country cottages to farm campsites, and amazing scenery - they really should be explored and enjoyed.

Unique places to explore amongst our National Parks include:

• Ben Macdui - the highest mountain in the Cairngorms, the second highest mountain in Scotland.
  
  
• Snowdon - the highest mountain in Wales, 1085 metres at its highest point. You can even get to the top by train - so an ideal National Park area to explore for families.
  
  
• Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland, is a World Heritage Site, and was built slightly north of the Stanegate "to separate the Romans from the barbarians" in AD122.
  
  
• Lake Windermere is the largest natural lake in England. It has been one of the country’s most popular places for holidays and summer homes since 1847. You can enjoy all sorts of adventurous activities in the Lake District.
  
  
• The Broads is one of Europe's most popular inland waterways and is Britain's largest nationally protected wetland - the whole area is 303 sq km. Its rivers, broads (shallow lakes), marshes and fens make it a unique area, rich in rare habitats, which support myriad plants and animals. Globally, wetlands are among the most threatened of landscapes.
  
  
• Some of the most wonderful waterfalls in the UK can be found in the Brecon Beacons National Park.
  
  
• Letter boxing is a combination of orienteering and treasure hunting where predetermined clues are used to locate boxes placed on the moor by others, and is a really interesting way to explore Dartmoor National Park.
  
  
• Formed in the Ice Age, the Valley of Rocks in Exmoor, offers spectacular rock formations, wonderful views, and a resident herd of wild goats! The valley is unique in England in running parallel with the sea.
  
  
• Loch Lomond is one of the UK's premier boating and water sports venues and the fantastic scenery draws people from all over the UK and beyond, here have tried to achieve a balance between land based tourists and loch users with environmentally sensitive areas subject to a strictly enforced 10 km per hour speed limit, but the rest of the loch open to speeds of up to 90km per hour.The loch is open to every kind of watercraft including kayaks, canoes, wind-surfers, jet skis, speedboats and cruisers and they are all very well represented. Loch Lomond Rescue Boat provides 24 hour safety cover on the loch.
  
  
• You can wander through woods, saunter through picturesque villages of honey sandstone, throw pebbles in a stream or build sand castles on the beach. All around are the signs of past generations, historic abbeys, embattled castles, churches, crosses, ancient routes and all this can be found in the North York Moors.
  
  
• There's a fascinating world of stalactites, stalagmites and former mine workings waiting to be explored beneath your feet in the Peak District cave network, on above land stunning scenery and great rock climbing.
  
  
• 260 miles of coastline can be enjoyed in Pembrokeshire. Seals, puffins and dolphins can be viewed from the shore, relax on quiet sandy beaches or walk around the ancient Iron Age Hill Forts.
  
  
• The Yorkshire Dales straddles the Pennines, the backbone of England, and is a landscape that has shaped by Glaciers. Small attractive villages allow you to step back in time as you explore the narrow lanes and tracks between meandering stone walls.
  
  
• The New Forest, on the south coast of England and offers miles of woodland and cycle tracks to enjoy. An ideal National Park for cyclists, horse riders and walkers to explore. Famous for its free roaming New Forest Ponies and Deer.
  
  
• The South Downs has over 2000 miles of easily accessible trails. Enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the high chalk downland and the small fields and deep wooded valleys of the Weald. Discover the ancient history of the area with its historic castles, charming old villages, and parish churches. The South Downs is comprised of two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

National Parks are areas where everyone can go to enjoy the outdoors.