One of the reasons why I started my Staycations In The UK blog was to highlight the hidden treasures the UK has to offer. And for me, England national parks are some of the best-hidden treasures available.
With so many amazing national parks in England and Wales, why would you not want to stay in the UK for a holiday? If you have never been to one of the many national parks, then you are seriously missing out. For me, the best England national park is the Lake District.
All the national parks in England and Wales have their own selling points, from unique landscapes to history, and the amazing wildlife they have.
I would love for you to let me know what you believe to be the national park in the UK, and what national parks you have been to.
What Is A National Park
Before we look at the best national parks in the UK, let’s look at one of the most popular questions when it comes to national parks, and that is, what are national parks? UK has 15 national parks, but what are they?
A national park that is protected by governments is a natural park that is used for conservation purposes. They are areas of scenic landscape and relatively undeveloped land.
National Parks in the UK are a lot different in many ways from national parks around the world. In England and Wales, a National Park is different from a national park in the USA. Our national parks may include settlements, where national parks in the USA are largely unspoiled.
When Was The First National Park Created?
The first National Park established was in 1872 in the USA called Yellowstone National Park. However, the first National Park in the UK was established after the second world war. In 1951, the Peak District became the first national park.
After the first national park in the UK was established, it was followed by Lake District, Snowdonia, Dartmoor, Pembrokeshire Coast, North York Moors, Yorkshire Dales, Exmoor, Northumberland and Brecon Beacons.
How Many National Parks Are There In The UK
One thing that does surprise me. And that is, many people who live on the doorstep of a national park don’t know there is a national park near them. A lot of people who search on Google, is there a national park near me, are shocked that there is one within a few hours drive from them.
There are 15 UK national parks. England – Broads, Dartmoor, Exmoor, Lake District, New Forest, Northumberland, North York Moors, Peak District, South Downs and Yorkshire Dales.
Wales – Brecon Beacons, Pembrokeshire Coast, and Snowdonia.
Scotland – Cairngorms and Loch Lomond & The Trossachs.
Read Wales Best Campsites
When was the National Parks Established?
1951: The Lake District, Dartmoor, The Peak District, Snowdonia.
1952: The North York Moors, Pembrokeshire Coast
1954: Exmoor, The Yorkshire Dales
1955: Northumberland
1957: The Brecon Beacons
1989: The Broads (designated under its Act of Parliament)
2005: The New Forest
2010: South Downs
How Many People Visit UK National Parks
UK National Parks are becoming more popular. Some say that is down to COVID, with more people wanting to be outdoors, while others have said, with so many more activities becoming available, more people are now spending their spare time at national parks in England and Wales.
It is estimated that around 110 million people visit national parks in England and Wales every year. The national parks in the UK are helping to boost much-needed tourism.
Read The Best Aquariums In England
What Is The Biggest National Park In England and Wales
Outside the Scottish Highlands, the largest national park in England is the Lake District. The Lake District which is 2,292 square kilometres (885 sq mi), is the second largest park in the UK. It is an incredible place to visit, and there are lots of affordable caravan parks to stay in nearby.
What Are The Biggest National Parks In England and Wales
The biggest national parks in England and Wales are:
The Lake District National Park, Snowdonia (Welsh: Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri), Yorkshire Dales, South Downs, Peak District, North York Moors, Brecon Beacons (Welsh: Bannau Brycheiniog), Northumberland, Dartmoor, and Exmoor.
The biggest national park does not mean the best national park.
Read The Highest Mountains in England
The Best UK National Parks Revealed
Lake District National Park
The best national park UK has to offer is the Lake District. If you have never visited the Lake District, then you need to go. I have just come back from the Lake District National Park, and it was amazing. I stayed on a caravan park which provided me with the perfect location for Morecombe, Blackpool, and The Lake District.
The Lake District National Park which is in the North West Of England is known for its amazing lakes. Windermere is a large lake in Cumbria’s Lake District National Park.
There is a diverse range of activities to enjoy in the Lake District from hiking, paddleboarding, sailing, and even skydiving.
Read Things To Do In Scarborough
The Lake District National Park is not only the best UK national park, but it is also the biggest national park in England and Wales. It offers lots of great tourist attractions and many wonderful places to stay.
Activities and attractions include:
Climb England’s highest mountain Scafell Pike
Visit Lake Windermere
Hire some kayaks at Windermere
Linthwaite House for a nice meal
Go on a boat trip
Snowdonia (Welsh: Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri)
The second best national park in the UK is Snowdonia (Welsh: Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri). I have been to Snowdonia many times, and first went when I was a kid. The Welsh Mountain Zoo is only 38 minutes away from Snowdonia. So, if you want somewhere magical to take the children while visiting Snowdonia National Park, then the Welsh Mountain Zoo should be one of your first choices.
Snowdonia National Park was established in 1951. It is not just me who thinks it is one of the best national parks in the UK, lots of hikers also believe it to be. It is located in North Wales and is perfect for people who want to keep fit by hiking. It is known as one of the best hiking places in the UK.
If you are a thrill seeker, then how about visiting Snowdonia to experience one of the world’s fastest zip lines?
Activities and attractions include:
Hiking
Cycling
Hiking
Zip World Forest
North York Moors National Park
A national park near me that I love is the North York Moors National Park, which has been the home to lots of great television shows including Heartbeat. Not sure why they stopped filming Heartbeat, but if you are a fan of the show then you can visit the village of Heartbeat which is called Goathland.
The North York Moors has some spectacular moorland and hills. There are lots of things to do at the North York Moors National Park from horse riding, hiking, and riding.
One place you need to visit if you are off to the North Moors National Park is Whitby. I really love Whitby. The only problem I have with Whitby is some days you could have trouble parking.
Activities and attractions include:
Explore the coastal village of Sandsend
Howardian Hills
Dalby Forest for cycling trails
Hiking
Northumberland National Park, England
The Northumberland National Park covers an area of more than 1,050 square kilometres. It stretches from the Scottish border in the north to just south of Hadrian’s Wall. One thing that I was shocked about when I visited the UK national park was Northumberland National Park is the least populated and least visited of all the England national parks.
There are lots of things to do here from visiting Hadrian’s Wall which was built in AD 122. Other great things to do is to go sailing at Kielder Water, or hiking. Or you can visit The Sill, which is a National Landscape Discovery Centre.
There are more castles in the Northumberland National Park than other parts of the country.
Don’t be put off that this is England national park with the least visitors, it is truly a remarkable place to visit.
Activities and attractions include:
Housesteads Roman Fort – Hadrian’s Wall
Waterskiing
Sailing
Hiking
Cycling
Pembrokeshire Coast
The Pembrokeshire Coast in South Wales is an amazing national park. Some people say the Pembrokeshire Coast is as near to heaven as you can get before crossing to the other side. It is an amazing place to visit with a 186-mile path that follows the coastline.
If you want a nice walk while on holiday in the South of Wales, then the Pembrokeshire Coast with its golden sands is for you. There are 600 miles of public footpaths to follow. If you manage to walk all of them, then please let me know.
The US Geographic Traveler magazine rated the Pembrokeshire Coast as the best coastal destination in the UK and the second-best coastal destination in the world.
There is so much to do here from fishing, sailing, surfing, cycling, walking, diving, and so much more. No wonder it is one of the best national parks in the UK.
Activities and attractions include:
Walking
Diving
Fishing
Cycling
Hiking
Exmoor National Park
Back in the day, the royal family would visit Exmoor National Park to go hunting. With 267 square miles, with a variety of landscapes is an amazing place to visit.
There are lots of things to do here from walking, hiking, hot air balloon rides, and wildlife tours. There are also lots of places to visit like Dunster Castle. With so many things to do in the Exmoor National Park, it does surprise me that this is another England national park that is one of the least visited.
Activities and attractions include:
Hiking
Visit the historic site of Dunster Castle
Walk along the cliff path on the historic Valley of the Rocks walk
Cycling
Broads National Park
The Broads National Park is one of the latest England National parks which was established in 1989. I love the Broads National Park and agree when people say this is one of the best national parks in England.
When I visit Great Yarmouth, I always make sure that I spend a day at Broads National Park. It is such a lovely place to visit and is an amazing place to go for boat trips. You can either jump on a boat for a tour, or you can rent a boat. There is a 125-mile network of channels to explore by boat. The River Wensum runs right into the city of Norwich.
If you go for a boat trip on the Norfolk Broads, then you will be shown the house where George Formby lived. If you don’t know who George Formby is, then get on Google and research him, and watch his films, they are amazing.
The Broads National Park is the only UK national park that’s completely man-made.
Activities and attractions include:
Boat Trips
Boat Hire
Cycling
Walking
Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, Scotland
I just wished the national park near me was Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, Scotland. If it was then I would be there every week because it is a truly amazing place to visit.
When I was compiling my list of the best national parks in the UK it was hard which ones to put in the top five and even as the best national park. Some people may disagree with me and say that Loch Lomond and the Trossachs is the best national park in the UK.
It is only 30-minutes from Glasgow, so it is easy to get to. It is a huge national park that borders Scotland’s Lowland and Highland regions. A lot of people visit the Scottish national park so they can Ben More and Ben Lomond.
There are lots of places to stay here including wooden holiday lodges. It is a magical place to visit and a great place to stay for a relaxing week or two.
Activities and attractions include:
Hiking
Cycling
Walking
Camping
Peak District National Park
The Peak District is a mixture of bleak moorlands and stately homes and wooded valleys. It is located near Manchester, Sheffield, and Stoke-on-Trent, so it is very accessible. It is only a four-hour drive from London, so it is an easy national park to get to.
There are lots of things to do at the Peak District National Park, and for that reason is why it is one of the best national parks in England.
For those that love to go bike riding, then there is an eight-mile Monsal Trial.
Activities and attractions include:
Mountaineering/rock climbing
Climb Thorpe Cloud, Kinder Scout, and the High Peak trail
Walk the circuit of the Burbage Valley
Quad-biking
Boat trip along Cromford Canal
Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales
The Brecon Beacons National Park in Wales offers so much from things to do to beautiful scenic views. It was established in 1957 as a national park. Situated in South Wales, it has more sunny days than most UK national parks.
It is the perfect national park to visit for thrill seekers. From hiking, climbing, and caving, to Kayaking, you will never be bored when visiting the Brecon Beacons National Park.
Activities and attractions include:
Pen y Fan Sunset Hike
Walk the 4 waterfalls valley
Brecon Beacons and Caerphilly Castle
Hike up the Brecon Beacons’ highest mountain, Pen-y-fan
Visit the market town of Brecon
Kayaking
Abseiling
Yorkshire Dales, North England
The Yorkshire Dales is another national park near me. When we think of the Yorkshire Dales, we think about the popular ITV soap drama Emmerdale. Originally, Emmerdale was filmed in the village of Arncliffe in Littondale which is in the Yorkshire Dales.
The popular UK National park covers 683 square miles. It is a great playground for mountain bike riders and hikers.
There are so many great places to have a holiday in the Yorkshire Dales, from adventure holidays to family holidays, and even romantic holidays.
Activities and attractions include:
Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge
Hiking
Mountain Bike Riding
Visit the Ribblehead Viaduct
Cheese tasting at Wensleydale Creamery (yes Grommit!)
With 15 national parks in England, there are so many great places to visit. It is important to appreciate what the UK has to offer. We have some stunning national parks in the UK that are the envy of the world.
The Best UK National Parks
Lake District National Park
Snowdonia (Welsh: Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri)
North York Moors National Park
Northumberland National Park, England
Pembrokeshire Coast
Exmoor National Park
Broads National Park
Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, Scotland
Peak District National Park
Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales
Yorkshire Dales, North England
