From the Highlands to the South Coast: 15 National Parks to Explore in the UK
In recent years, times have gotten tougher for everyone. From economic uncertainty to ongoing travel restrictions, it can feel difficult to find ways to escape the pressures of daily life. However, one silver lining of these challenging times has been a renewed appreciation for our homeland and the beauty that surrounds us. Staycations have boomed as people look to explore the natural wonders of the UK, and there's no better way to do so than by visiting one of the country's 15 national parks. From the rugged peaks of Snowdonia to the tranquil waters of the Broads, the UK's national parks offer a wealth of opportunities to connect with nature and escape the stresses of everyday life.
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Cairngorms National Park
Location: đ´ó §ó ˘ó łó Łó ´ó ż Scotland
Highlights: đď¸đ The Cairngorm Mountain Railway for a trip to the summit of Cairn Gorm mountain for stunning views across the park.
The Cairngorms National Park is the largest national park in the UK, covering an area of 1,748 square miles in the Scottish Highlands. It is home to the Cairngorm Mountains, which are some of the highest and most dramatic peaks in the UK, and includes several other mountain ranges, forests, and rivers, as well as being home to some of the UK's most important Caledonian pine forests.
There's ample opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, skiing, and wildlife watching (keep your eyes peeled for red deer, golden eagles, mountain hares and ospreys), or day trips to the Cairngorms National Park Visitor Center in Grantown-on-Spey or the Highland Wildlife Park near Kingussie.
Or, if you're after something a little different, the Cairngorm Mountain Railway (the highest railway in the UK) will take you to the summit of Cairn Gorm mountain for stunning views across the park, which is home to several historic sites, including the ruined Corgarff Castle and the 16th-century Braemar Castle.
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Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park
Location: đ´ó §ó ˘ó łó Łó ´ó ż Scotland
Highlights: 𼞠West Highland Way, a 96-mile (154 km) long-distance hiking trail that runs from Milngavie.
Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park is Scotland's first national park, established in 2002. It covers an area of 720 square miles (1,865 square kilometers) and includes the stunning Loch Lomond, which is the largest freshwater lake in the UK by volume and is home to over 20% of the UK's plant species. The park is also home to 21 Munros (mountains over 3,000 feet) and a range of wildlife, including red deer, golden eagles, and ospreys.
One of the most popular attractions in the park is the West Highland Way, a 96-mile (154 km) long-distance hiking trail that runs from Milngavie, on the outskirts of Glasgow, to Fort William in the Scottish Highlands. The trail takes in some of the park's most stunning landscapes, including Loch Lomond, Rannoch Moor, and the Devil's Staircase.
Take a day trip (or two!) kayaking, fishing or cycling, or visit one of the many visitor centres like the Loch Lomond Shores complex, home to plenty of shops, restaurants, and a sealife aquarium. The park is also home to several historic sites, including the ruins of Kilchurn Castle and Rob Roy's Cave.
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Northumberland National Park
Location: đŹđ§ Northumberland, UK
Highlights: Hadrian's Wall, a World Heritage Site that dates back to Roman times.
The Northumberland National Park is the least populated national park in the UK, with just 2.5 people per square km, and is home to some of the most unspoiled landscapes in the country - including the stunning Cheviot Hills, which straddle the border between England and Scotland.
This National Park is home to the UK's largest area of protected night sky, making it one of the best places in Europe for stargazing, and several historic sites including Hadrian's Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that dates back to Roman times.
There are plenty of walking trails, including the infamous Pennine Way which runs through the park from the Scottish Borders to the Peak District, and areas to hike, kayak or explore on your mountain bike. The national park is also home to several small villages, including the picturesque village of Rothbury, which is known for its stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
We recommend taking a day trip to Kielder Water and Forest Park, to see the largest man-made lake in northern Europe (the lake holds 200 billion litres of water!).
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Lake District National Park
Location: đŹđ§ Cumbria, UK
Highlights: đ đď¸ Lake Windermere, the largest lake in England, and Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England.
The Lake District National Park is one of the most popular national parks in the UK, attracting around 15 million visitors each year, and is famous for its stunning scenery, including its many lakes, mountains, and valleys.
This national park is home to some of the UK's most iconic landscapes, including England's deepest and longest lakes and some of the highest peaks in England, including Scafell Pike, which stands at 978 meters tall. It's also home to several historic sites, including the remains of several stone circles and the 14th-century Muncaster Castle.
The Lake District National Park has several walking trails, including the popular Wainwright's Coast to Coast Walk, which crosses the park from the Irish Sea to the North Sea, and is home to several small towns and villages like Ambleside, which is known for its charming streets and picturesque setting on the shores of Lake Windermere.
We recommend checking out Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, which is a narrow-gauge steam railway that runs for 7 miles through the stunning Eskdale Valley. The park is also home to several museums, including the Beatrix Potter Gallery in Hawkshead, which celebrates the life and work of the famous children's author.
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The Yorkshire Dales National Park
Location: đŹđ§ North Yorkshire, UK
Highlights: Malham Cove, a dramatic limestone formation, and the Ribblehead Viaduct, a spectacular feat of engineering.
Home to the famous Three Peaks Challenge (which involves climbing the three highest peaks in the area in under 12 hours), the Yorkshire Dales is located in North Yorkshire and is known for its stunning landscape of rolling hills, dramatic valleys, moorlands and limestone cliffs, as well as being home to some of the UK's most impressive waterfalls and caves, including the White Scar Cave - one of the longest show caves in Britain.
If you're looking for a challenge, you must include the Pennine Way on your travels, the walking trail will take 16 - 19 days to complete and runs through the park from Derbyshire to Scotland.
Or, take several day trip to see the Aysgarth Falls, a stunning set of waterfalls that cascade down over several tiers, visit one of the several small towns and villages, including Hawes, which is known for its charming shops and traditional market, or historic sites like the 12th-century Bolton Castle or the 16th-century Swaledale Museum.
The Yorkshire Dales National Park is rich in industrial heritage, with numerous former lead mines and quarries dotted throughout the landscape. If you have time, we recommend visiting the Settle-Carlisle Railway, which is a scenic railway that runs for 73 miles through the heart of the park.
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North York Moors National Park
Location: đŹđ§ North Yorkshire, UK
Highlights: Seal colonies at Blakeney Point and the picturesque village of Cley-next-the-Sea.
The North York Moors is not far away from the Yorkshire Dales National Park, and is known for its similar wild and rugged landscapes, from heather moorlands and wooded valleys to dramatic coastline. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including red grouse, roe deer, and the rare and elusive adder snake.
The famous North Yorkshire Moors Railway also runs through the heart of the national park, running for 18 miles between Pickering and Grosmont, where you can enjoy the stunning scenery of the park while riding on a vintage steam train! The National Park is also home to several historic sites, including the ruins of Rievaulx Abbey, one of the most important and well-preserved Cistercian monasteries in England.
The North York Moors National Park is also known for its rich geological history, with several important geological features, including the striking limestone cliffs of the coast and the unique rock formations of the inland moors.
Walk the Cleveland Way, a 109 mile trail through the park and along the coast, or visit several charming fishing villages, including Staithes and Robin Hood's Bay, which offer visitors a glimpse into the area's rich maritime history.
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Peak District National Park
Location: đŹđ§ Central UK
Highlights: Kinder Scout, the highest point in the Peak District, and the Blue John Cavern, a series of underground caves.
The Peak District National Park is located in the central part of England and is the oldest national park in the UK, having been established in 1951. The park is known for its stunning landscapes, which include rolling hills, rugged moorland, and dramatic limestone cliffs.
One of the most popular attractions in the park is the spectacular natural limestone cave system at Castleton, known as the Peak Cavern, which has been used by humans for thousands of years. Take a guided tour of the cave system and explore its winding passages and underground chambers.
The park is also home to several historic sites, including the medieval Peveril Castle, which sits atop a rocky outcrop overlooking the village of Castleton - spend some time exploring the castle ruins and enjoy stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
The Pennine Way, a walking trail which takes 16 - 19 days to complete and runs through the park from Derbyshire to Scotland (we also mentioned this in the Yorkshire Dales National Park), runs for over 400 kilometers through the Peak District.
The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including red deer, mountain hares, and several rare bird species, such as the peregrine falcon and the ring ouzel. We strongly recommend taking day trips to visit the park's charming towns and villages, such as Bakewell and Matlock, which offer a taste of traditional English country life.
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The Broads National Park
Location: đŹđ§ Norfolk and Suffolk
Highlights: Beautiful medieval architecture including the Norman Cathedral and Castle.
The Broads National Park is located in Norfolk and Suffolk and is the UK's largest protected wetland and a haven for wildlife. The park is known for its unique landscape, characterised by over 125 miles of navigable rivers and lakes known as "broads", and is home to over a quarter of the UK's rarest species, including bitterns, swallowtail butterflies, and fen orchids.
One of the best ways to explore the park is by boat, and there are plenty of places to hire a motorboat or take a guided tour to explore the waterways. Along the way you'll see a variety of wildlife, with over 400 species of bird recorded in the area, including rare species like the bittern and the marsh harrier, as well as otters, water voles, and a variety of fish.
The Broads National Park is also home to a number of charming towns and villages, including Wroxham, the "capital of the Broads", where you can cycle, walk or fish, or explore the local shops and restaurants.
The park also has several nature reserves, such as Hickling Broad and Ranworth Broad, where visitors can take guided walks and learn about the unique ecology of the area. There are also several museums and visitor centers, such as the Broads Authority Visitor Center, which provide information about the history and ecology of the park.
Don't miss the historic city of Norwich, located on the River Wensum, known for its beautiful medieval architecture, including the Norman Cathedral and Castle, as well as its vibrant arts and culture scene.