Belfast
Trip Planning
A quick guide to National Parks in the UK
Photo: Patrick Hendry
Aug 15, 2017
For its size (on par with Oregon), the United Kingdom is one strikingly diverse nation. From mountains to beaches to rolling plains, its landscapes come in many varieties, one never more than a day’s journey from another. Britain’s 15 National Parks are tasked with showcasing this diversity, as well as protecting it. Here are some of the best National Parks in the UK. 
Brecon Beacons — Wales
Features an 8-day trek that takes in a historic church, Iron Age castle, and nature reserve, in addition to the high, angular terrain that dominates this region of Wales.
Peak District — England
Set square in the heart of England, Peak offers a range of climbing opportunities on its gritstone outcroppings — a type of rock found practically nowhere else on Earth.
Cairngorms — Scotland
The system’s most extreme park by all counts (biggest, tallest, farthest north) draws mountain bikers looking to take on Scotland’s most epic trails.
Pembrokeshire Coast — Wales
Sea kayak is the vessel of choice for exploring this Welsh park and its 250 miles of rocky coast dotted with cliffs, sea caves, and marine wildlife.
Snowdonia — Wales
This national park is located in the beautiful mountainous region of North Wales and spans 823 square miles.
Dartmoor — England
This National Park is an area of moorland in southern Devon. It covers over 368 square miles and is known for archaeological digs of Neolithic tombs, Bronze Age stone circles, and medieval villages.
Northumberland — England
The northernmost National Park in England. It covers an area of more than 400 square miles between the Scottish Borders and Hadrian’s Wall.
Loch Lomond and The Trossachs — Scotland
Loch Lomond and The Trossachs is the fourth largest National Park in the British Isles. It includes 21 Munroes, 19 Corbetts, two forest peaks and 57 designated nature conservation sites.
Yorkshire Dales — England
Famous for its stunning scenery and distinctive hills, the Yorkshire Dales attract over eight million visitors every year.
The Lake District — England
The Lake District is famous in the UK for, you guessed it, its lakes. Located in the North West England the region is very popular for hiking and climbing.
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