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10 BEST NATIONAL PARKS IN the UNITED KINGDOM.

Wherever you find yourself in the United Kingdom (UK) you may not be far from a national park.

The U.K is known for its acres of rolling beautiful countryside, rugged hills and unspoilt coast.

The best way to enjoy Britain鈥檚 natural beauty is by visiting national parks.

The landscape, wildlife and plant species have inspired famous British poets to pen down some of the most immortalized verses, notably, Byron and Woodsworth.

It is estimated that 110 million people visit the parks annually.

Let鈥檚 look at the 10 best national parks in the UK.

1. Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

Pembrokeshire coast Photo by cattan 2011-

The national park is one of the smallest parks in the UK but is packed with diverse habitats.

It is the only park in the UK that has been designated a park for its coastal features.

The coastline is made up of limestone cliffs, coves, beaches and rock pools.

The National Geographic Traveler Magazine US rated the park as one of the best coastal destinations in the world.

The park is a haven for water sports such as surfing, swimming and kayaking.

The 186 mile Pembrokeshire Coast Path provides unfettered access for trekking and hiking activities.

Additionally, the wildlife on offer is amazing from sea birds to rabbits, seals to pods of dolphins.

The park is a culturally significant site for Wales; experience the rich heritage by visiting the scheduled 286 ancient monuments.

2. Lake District National Park.

Panorama of Keswick by Dilif-

Also referred to as Lakelands it’s England’s largest park. It is mountainous with deep lakes and a saw-toothed coastline. 

All land higher than 3,000 feet in England is located within the park. It is a popular holiday destination a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The park is home to 40,000 people and receives approximately 12 million visitors per year.

The park is home to rare species such as Ospreys, Vendace fish and red squirrels.

The tranquillity of the valleys and openness of the highlands coupled with minimal development gives one the feel of wilderness.

The park boasts a unique landscape that combines a mix of wild uninhabited land with human settlements and farmlands making each valley distinctive.

Outdoor activities to be enjoyed are mountaineering and recreational walking.

3. Yorkshire Dales National Park.

  Just 50 miles North East of Manchester is the Yorkshire dales national park.

It is a wildlife sanctuary with a rich cultural heritage. Some visitors allege it is a moody park; it can be wild, windswept or tranquil.

It is known for the beautiful scenery and natural attraction such as Aysgarth Falls and Malham Cove. 

Most tourists are attracted to Yorkshire by the hiking and cycling trails that take you by the picturesque hamlets.

Interestingly, 90% of Yorkshire Dales national park is privately owned giving the local community responsibility of taking care of the environment sustainably.

It is commonly referred to as 鈥淕od鈥檚 own county鈥� because of its alluring landscape.

4. Cairngorms National Park.

Photo by Daniel Hartog –

The Cairngorms are home to a quarter of Scotland’s forests, it is the largest national park in the whole of the UK.

It is located in the Scottish Islands 140 miles north of Glasgow city.

The park protects a wide range of wildlife and the terrain provides tourists with the opportunity to view wildlife up-close in their natural habitat.

18,000 persons reside within the park and depend on tourism as the main economy.

The park receives close to 2 million visitors per year majority of whom are domestic.

It is a water catchment area that gives birth to three major rivers, the Spey, the Dee and the Don.

The park’s popular outdoor activities are cycling, canoeing, walking, hiking, mountain biking and skiing in the winter.

For historical fanatics, there is the Strathspey railway a preserved steam engine locomotive still in service. 

Moreover, there are 6 distilleries in the park that allow visitors but some need prior planning.

5. North York Moors National Park.

Photo by on

North York Moors National Park is a special area of sea cliffs, primaeval woodlands and large uninhabited valleys covered in heather.

The largest expanse of heather moorland in the United Kingdom. It is a place of pristine beauty with a rich history and welcoming people. 

The park consists of a moorland plateau, cultivated valleys, hills and rivers.

At the coast the rocky shores shelter seaweeds, rock pools home to small sea animals.

The park is an archaeological treasure trove with 12,000 archaeological sites.

The park has a network of 1,400 miles of public rights of way ideal for cycling, horse riding, mountain biking and walking. Gliders use high cliffs to launch.

6. Snowdonia National Park.

Looking into Snowdonia National Park Photo by Redbannana-

The park derives its name from Snowdon the highest mountain in Welsh. Most of the land is mountainous or open land.

Visiting the park you will encounter mountains, rivers, lakes, and the coast.

The forests contain a variety of species of trees and wildlife such as feral goats, otters, polecats, birds and insects.

The national park is home to welsh villages and impressive castle ruins.

Touristic activities include hiking, climbing and sightseeing.

There are recreational facilities in the park and, textile and craft shops geared to the tourist.

To walk with your dog ensure its on a leash.

7. Peak District National Park.

Gratton Dale by David Grimshaw-

It is the oldest national park in the UK found smack between Manchester and Sheffield.

The park is divided into two distinct halves, the dark peak which is wild and at a higher elevation while the white peaks are famous for their deep gorges.

 For most visitors, the scenery and the landscape are what draws them to the park.

It provides a welcome hinterland escape for the urban populations of Sheffield and Manchester.

Among the wildlife, visitors will see the wild hare, feral red-necked wallabies, hedgehogs, long-eared bats and fish.

Activities to engage in include cycling (hiring is available), there are public footpaths for walkers, horse riders, paragliding, rock climbing and caving.

The trails are wheelchair friendly.

In the reservoirs, visitors take part in water sports, fishing and sailing.

8. South Downs National Park.

Just a short journey from London is the newest park in the UK, it is a very popular destination for visitors.

Human activities over centuries have shaped stunning panoramic landscapes.

South Downs provide a retreat from the busy city life and allow you to wind down in the woodlands, hedgerows, and pastures.

It’s the most populated park home to 117,000 people with 2 million more living within 10 km, making it the most easily accessible park in the  UK.

The park is a walker’s dream with 100 miles of trails to encourage you to keep walking, The park is also accessible by car with 90km of motorable road.

9. Dartmoor National Park.

Photo by Caromiajardine –

Located in Devon county, in southwest England, Dartmoor national park is arguably one of the UK’s most enchanting parks.

Rivers, marshes, forests, rocky formations and trails dot the landscape.

Trek to England’s highest waterfall.

Photograph the ornamented churches.

 Lose yourself in the fairy tale forests.  

Visitors enjoy the freedom to sleep in nature amongst the ponies as the local by-laws allow for camping. 

If the beach is your thing, then hop to Cornwall beach for a swim and frolic on the sand.

Take advantage of the hiking and walking trails to take in the vistas as you go by picture-perfect hamlets.

Learn about the area’s rich history by stopping by bronze age stone circles, Neolithic tombs and medieval houses.

The moorland is the inspiration behind Sherlock Holmes’s story.

Let Dartmoor National Park fire your imagination.

10. Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.

The freshwater body of Loch is what gives the park its name.

The core mission of the park is environmental conservation thus providing visitors with a chance to learn about how the park operates.

The Loch Lomond national park is Scotland’s first national park.

The park is famed for its wild scenery and rich history.

The freshwater lake at the centre of the park is the largest and most beautiful in the whole of Britain.

Take a boat on the Loch to view the incredible landscape and indulge in all water sports.

The lake’s rich life below the water also makes for a great angling outing.

In the hills, there are trekking trails to get you to vantage points where the lay of the land will subdue you.

The United Kingdom鈥檚 citizens are the owners of all national parks. Unlike other countries, the national park’s access in the UK is free because they are also settlement areas.

The differently-abled can access miles of the national trail path ensuring inclusive fun for all.

On visiting the parks, you not only interact with nature but also people who help conserve it and depend on tourism to make a living. For fairytale-like adventures visit UK National Parks.