National Park

The UK has 14 National Parks, 9 in England, 3 in Wales and 2 in Scotland. A national park is a protected area of outstanding natural beauty that is open for everyone with stunning scenery and wonderful wildlife. The parks attract millions of visitors all year round as they offer picturesque unspoilt landscape, walks, attractions, sporting activities, delightful villages and towns and much, much more. Below is a list of the UK’s parks, all are well worth spending a weekend away relaxing in or a holiday break exploring the truly wonderful scenery, villages, historic sites and attractions.

England National Parks

* Broads Authority is a network of picturesque waterways in Norfolk on England’s East Coast and is a very popular boating holiday destination.
* Dartmoor NP is 368 square miles of open countryside situated in Devon in the South West Country.
* Exmoor NP is located in Devon and Somerset in the South West Country and offers visitor’s wilderness and tranquillity in 267 square miles of rural landscape.
* Lake District is a magnificent mountainous area with stunning lakes and charming villages located in Cumbria in the North West of England.
* New Forest lies in the county of Hampshire along the England’s South Coast and is a walkers and cyclists paradise.
* North Yorkshire Moors in North East Yorkshire is famous for its miles of grassy dales, sandy beaches, ancient woodland and soaring cliffs.
* Northumberland is England’s most northerly National Park, all of the park is within the county of Northumberland and is very close to the Scottish Border.
* Peak District is located within the county of Derbyshire and is Britain’s first designated National Park. The Peak District is a diverse area, northern part is mainly moorland and the southern part is mainly limestone based and is where the majority of the population live.
* Yorkshire Dales is 680 miles of wonderful scenery with a rich cultural heritage located in North and West Yorkshire and Cumbria.

Scotland National Parks

* Cairngorms NP covers the Cairngorms range of mountains and its neighbouring hills in the North East of Scotland.
* Loch Lomond and the Trossachs NP provides visitors with stunning surroundings, lovely walks and picturesque lochs in the west of Scotland north of Glasgow.

Wales National Parks

* Brecon Beacons NP in South Wales is known for its rolling countryside, valleys and abundance of castles.
* Pembrokeshire Coast is Britain’s only truly coastal National Park. Rugged cliffs, sandy beaches and wooded estuaries make up this park.
* Snowdonia consists of 823 square miles of stunning and untouched countryside in North Wales. Snowdonia is the second largest and second oldest NP in England and Wales.

You will find the level of accommodation within and around the national parks are to a very high standard and there is a great diverse choice to choose from. Although there is a huge selection you will find during the busy periods booking early is advisable, as most places will be booked up. Self catering breaks are most probably the best choice of accommodation in the national parks as they allow you to explore the beautiful surroundings at your own pace and enjoy home comforts without breaking the bank.