Discover the delights of the UK's National Parks

What is a National Park?

National Parks are the lungs of the country. They are areas that are protected because of their beauty, wildlife, and cultural heritage. Our National Parks welcome visitors, providing opportunities for everyone to experience, enjoy, and learn about their special qualities.

Why are National Parks open?

The first National Park opened in 1951 at the Peak District, which takes in the site of the mass trespass on Kinder Scout in 1932. This famous episode, aimed at lobbying the government and landowners to open up access to Britain’s countryside, laying the foundations for the National Parks Act of 1949. The act led to the designation of 15 National Parks over the following decades, the latest being the South Downs in 2010.

How many National Parks are there in the UK?

There are 15 National Parks in the UK. Each one is looked after by its own authority and work together as National Parks UK. They are independent bodies funded by central government to preserve the land and promote opportunities within for you to enjoy.

Where are the UK’s National Parks?

The UK’s National Parks span from the Cairngorms in the north of Scotland to Dartmoor in Cornwall. They cover over 10% of the land mass of England & Wales and 7% of Scotland. 

There are 13 National Parks in England & Wales including:

• The Broads
• Dartmoor
• Exmoor
• The Lake District
• The New Forest
• Northumberland
• The North York Moors
• The Peak District
• The South Downs
• Yorkshire Dales
• Brecon Beacons
• Pembrokeshire
• Snowdonia

There are 2 National Parks in Scotland:

• Cairngorms
• Loch Lomond & the Trossachs

Which National Park is the largest?

The Lake District National Park is the largest National Park in England at 2,292 square kilometres (885 sq mi) and second largest in the United Kingdom after Scotland's Cairngorms National Park.

Which UK National Park is the most visited?

The most visited National Park in the UK is the Lake District, with 16.4 million visitors in 2014. The second largest National Park is the Yorkshire Dales, with 9.4 million visitors.

Why visit UK National Parks?

There are so many things to do in each National Park at any time of the year. They are vibrant, breathing spaces, where people live and work, where you can sample local food, learn arts and crafts, buy unique gifts, and find museums of rural life. They are massive outdoor playgrounds where you can cycle, climb, canoe, sail and glide. They are glorious canvasses of the British landscape where you can walk, enjoy picnics, stargaze or simply stand and stare. They are wildlife havens where you can watch birds, see rare plants, spot elusive wild animals, visit forests, rivers, lakes, meadows, and moorland and at the end of the day unwind with a soak in your holiday lodge with hot tub. The question is, why wouldn't you visit?

Stay at Forest Holidays and visit a National Park

Forest Holidays are ideally situated for visiting the National Parks. 6 of our 13 locations sit within UK National Parks: Ardgartan Argyll and Strathyre are in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, Cropton and Keldy are in the North York Moors, Beddgelert is in Snowdonia National Park (Eryri) and Garwnant is in the Brecon Beacons National Park (Bannau Brycheiniog).

A further four Forest Holidays locations are well under an hour’s drive from a National Park: Deerpark is 45 minutes from Dartmoor, Blackwood Forest is just half an hour from the New Forest, Thorpe Forest is under an hour away from the Broads, and Sherwood Forest is 45 minutes' drive from the Peak District. The Brecon Beacons, just over an hour away from Forest of Dean, is a longer journey but gives you an excuse to visit Wales. Scroll down this page for more about which National Parks are near Forest Holidays Locations.

15 secret pleasures to enjoy in our National Parks

1. Soak up the breath-taking views of Kildrummy Castle in the Cairngorms

2. Spot red squirrels in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs

3. Take the Hethpool Wild Goat Walk in Northumberland

4. Visit the Laurel and Hardy Museum in the Lake District

5. Witness the purple carpet of heather over the North York Moors

6. Discover Ease Gill Caves, the longest cave system in the UK under the Yorkshire Dales

7. Choose from 1700 climbing and bouldering routes at Stanage in the Peak District

8. Visit the Ugly House in Snowdonia

9. Decipher the distinctive painted signs of the Broads villages

10. Enjoy some of the 60 iconic views of the Pembrokeshire Coast

11. Stargaze from the one of the few World Dark Sky Reserves in the Brecon Beacons

12. Find the 20 inspirational sculptures on the Shipwrights Way in the South Downs

13. Spot the rare dragonflies and damselflies in the New Forest

14. Take in the views from Great Hangman, Britain’s highest sea cliff, in Exmoor

15. Go Letterboxing on Dartmoor

The National Parks are part of the fabric of the nation, ready to be explored and enjoyed. Which one will you visit first? Find out more about the National Parks and book your Forest Holiday.

Which National Parks are near Forest Holidays Locations?

Does the thought of untamed, open countryside excite you? Thousands of holidaymakers love to stay in the National Parks each year, and there’s plenty of ways to enjoy it. A gentle pet appropriate walk through clearly marked paths, cycling through the country lanes, or going off-road completely on a mountain scramble. Our Locations are all within or near to a National Park and are perfect for a weekend, midweek or week-long break. What could be better than enjoying a day in spectacular countryside before coming home to a forest cabin for a soak in the hot tub.

All of our National Parks have their own character. Below are our suggestions for things to do in the National Parks close to our holiday locations. Which National Park do you think you’d like to try first?

North York Moors National Park

Picture wide open moors, beautiful swathes of purple heather and the call of birds. If you’re looking for peace and quiet, you’ve found it. But don’t think the moors are empty. 

Hop onto the NYMR steam train from Pickering to Whitby to take in just a few of the popular destinations across the moors. 

Near to: Keldy and Cropton
Must see: The natural wonder of the Hole of Horcum

South Downs 

The South Downs stretches from Winchester in Hampshire to Eastbourne in East Sussex, and along the 100-mile length you’ll find a diversity of stunning views. But one of the best times to visit is actually at night. As one of the world’s newest International Dark Sky Reserves, you’ll find incredible views of the stars – weather permitting, of course.

Near to: Blackwood Forest
Must visit: Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium

The Broads

As Britain’s largest protected wetland, the Broads in Norfolk and Suffolk have a completely different atmosphere to the open moors. The Broads National Park is full of rare wildlife, including the harbour porpoise, red-flanked blue tails and the swallow tail butterfly. You can explore over 125 miles of waterways by bike or on foot of course – but why wouldn’t you choose to take a boat?

Near to: Thorpe Forest
Must try: Hire a boat for a day

Loch Lomond & the Trossachs

Dramatic mountain views, deep serene lochs and ancient forest, you’ll find it all in the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. Here truly is the wild, challenging scenery that more experienced hikers love. 

Climb to the top of some of the towering mountains and take a deep breath. Now you understand just what makes our National Parks so special.

Near to: Strathyre and Ardgartan Argyll
Must climb: Relatively gentle Ben A’an offers spectacular views

Snowdonia (Eryri) National Park

A land of ups and downs, Snowdonia’s nine mountain ranges make for a varied and often rugged landscape. Stretching from Conwy in the north east to Aberdyfi in the south west, Snowdonia National Park covers over 2,132 square kilometres . While there’s plenty of ways to discover this National Park, surely gorge walking must be one of the most exciting?

Near to: Beddgelert 
Must try: Gorge walking

Dartmoor

The name Dartmoor conjures images of misty, magical landscapes. One of the more archaeologically important National Parks, Dartmoor has stone circles, medieval villages and plenty of history to discover.

Near to: Deerpark
Must see: Grimspound

Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog)

Rivers collide in the Brecon Beacons to form a series of cascading waterfalls, tumbling through narrow gorges. For family fun, wading and a refreshing walk on a summer’s day, this is the National Park to visit.

Near to: Garwnant
Must see: Waterfall Country

Peak District National Park

The Peak District was the first National Park and has nearly 200 square miles of open access land for walkers. But don’t let your lack of orientation skills put you off. There are miles of family-friendly, clearly marked trails to explore, including the popular stepping stones of Dovedale.

Near to: Sherwood Forest
Must do: Guided walks

The UK’s National Parks hold a treasure for everyone. Stay on the signposted routes or, for the more experienced explorer, find your own way through the open access lands. You’ll discover fresh air, nature, history and plenty of adventure.