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Home / TRIP IDEAS / A-List Travel Advisors / Here are ten of the United Kingdom's National Parks that are not to be missed for their breathtaking scenery, abundant wildlife, and unforgettable tra

Here are ten of the United Kingdom's National Parks that are not to be missed for their breathtaking scenery, abundant wildlife, and unforgettable tra

2022-12-02  Maliyah Mah

The following are the ten national parks in the United Kingdom that receive the most visitors annually, and I'll explain why.

British hills
 

Are you contemplating a trip to the mountains in the near future? Why not make them seem like hills in Britain? The countryside is maybe the one area in which the United Kingdom excels. The phrase "green and pleasant land" is synonymous with England; but, the landscapes of Scotland and Wales, England's neighbors, are every bit as stunning in terms of their rural splendor.

It doesn't matter where you are in the United Kingdom; you're never too far away from a national park, whether it's the verdant valleys of the Lake District, the white cliffs of the South Downs, or the rolling moorland of the Yorkshire Dales. Each of these national parks is dotted with picture-perfect villages and is teeming with various species of wildlife.

Here is a list of the 10 most visited national parks in the United Kingdom, ranging from the breathtaking peaks of Scotland's Highlands to the peaceful vales of southern England.

National Park in the South Downs

National Park-2
 

The South Downs National Park is the newest national park in Britain, yet it is also one of the most popular parks in the country because of its close proximity to the capital city of London. The park extends from Winchester in the west to Eastbourne in the east, making it easily accessible via a rail ride that takes exactly one hour from the center of the capital city. The South Downs Way is a superbly scenic hiking and biking trail that runs through rolling green hills, ancient forests, and along world-famous white cliffs. It connects all of these different landscapes and is punctuated along its length by a procession of charming old pubs where you can spend the night in comfort.

The well-preserved remains of Arundel Castle, which date back to the 11th century and stand guard over the charming, compact town of Arundel, should not be missed. (This train station is a great starting place for exploring the national park, as it is located in the heart of the park.)

National Park of the Lake District

Lake District-2
 

The exceptional natural splendor of the Lake District, a hilly region in the northwest of England, served as inspiration for the renowned poem "Loneliness of the Clouds" that was written by William Wordsworth. This national park, which is more commonly referred to as the Lakes, is a true all-star in terms of its diversity, including mountains, valleys, villages, coastline, and, of course, lakes. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and among its many attractions, it is home to England's tallest mountain, Scafell Pike, as well as the country's largest natural lake (Windermere). Wordsworth and the other Lake Poets of the 19th century were inspired to write by this enchanting beauty, which is also famed for its rich literary history. Beatrix Potter, Arthur Ransome, and John Ruskin are just a few of the authors who have been influenced by this area.

The Drunken Duck, which has been around for 200 years and is located at a crossroads between the adorable towns of Ambleside and Hawkshead, has a legitimate claim to being one of the best pubs in all of Britain. You shouldn't miss it! Make sure you order the restaurant's trademark dish, the Drunken Duck, which is a whole roasted duck with a cherry sauce that is served with duck-fat potatoes and all the fixings.

National Park of the Peak District

Peak District
 

The Peak District, which was the first national park in the United Kingdom, will be celebrating its 70th anniversary in the year 2021. It is a beautifully wild pocket of nature woven into the waistline of the United Kingdom between Manchester and Sheffield, and it is recognized for everything from grand stately homes to spectacular limestone valleys (including the Chatsworth House, a.k.a. "The Palace of the Peaks"). The park is divided into two distinct halves: the Dark Peak, which is higher and more rugged, and the White Peak, which is famous for its deep valleys and gorges. Both of these peaks are located in the same general region. The latter also features a collection of caves and grottos, one of which is the Castleton caves, which are the only location on the planet where the semiprecious mineral blue john is extracted from the ground.

Don't Miss Out on Bakewell's Famous Frangipane Tarts! This picturesque riverside village is located inside of the national park and is a must-see destination.

The National Park of the Broads.

The Broads
 

The Broads National Park is frequently likened to Venice, not because it contains marble palaces and baroque bridges, but because of the seemingly endless rivers that weave in every direction. This is the primary reason for the comparison. In point of fact, there are approximately 125 miles of them, each of which winds its way through quaint hamlets, golden meadows, and historic monasteries. Exploring this peaceful marsh, which is also a refuge for some of the rarest birds and butterflies in Britain, is best done so via boat over the course of a few days.

Don't Miss It: Winterton-on-Sea is one of the most striking settlements in the United Kingdom. It is located between the natural beauty of the Norfolk Broads and the expansive sandy beaches that are located farther on. Imagine quaint rustic houses with thatched roofs crammed together along a rocky shoreline and centered on an old church dating back to the 14th century.

The National Park of the North York Moors

North York Moors
 

Hikers, mountain bikers, and people who enjoy water sports all go to North York Moors National Park because of its rolling hills, wooded dales, and attractive shoreline. The park is also home to a number of historic sites. However, because of its vast fields of heather that appear to go on forever, majestic old abbeys, and other ancient places of worship, it is also a popular destination for photographers. Keep an eye out for Hayburn Wyke, a secluded rocky cove with a cascading waterfall that is tucked away behind a forest that is teeming with deer. Hayburn Wyke may be found on the edge of the mystical, misty moors.

Do not miss the opportunity to visit Whitby, a charming seaside town on the outskirts of the national park. Whitby is considered by many to be the spiritual home of the traditional British cuisine of fish and chips.

The National Park of Snowdonia

Snowdonia
 

The word "mountains" is often used interchangeably with "Snowdonia." After all, it is the location of the majestic Mount Snowdon, which is the highest point in all of Wales. The national park is home to a number of picturesque Welsh villages, a collection of glistening waterfalls, and a coastline of fine sandy beaches. In addition to that windswept colossus, which you can ascend via a vintage train that putters to the summit, the national park also features a coastline of fine sandy beaches. In addition, it is home to some of the most impressive castle ruins in all of Europe, such as Castell y Bere, which served as the royal palace for Welsh monarchs in the 11th century.

Zip World Velocity 2, the world's fastest (and Europe's longest) zip line, propels riders over Snowdonia's Penrhyn Quarry at speeds of up to 125 miles per hour. This attraction should not be missed.

The National Park of the Pembrokeshire Coast

Pembrokeshire Coast
 

Britain's only totally coastal national park is a beautifully wild and wind-sculpted piece of southwest Wales, making it one of the best spots in the country to clear your head and shake off the cobwebs. Along its 186-mile length, the Pembrokeshire Coast Path traces the undulations of the park's wavy coastline, providing hikers with breathtaking vistas as well as a plethora of chances to observe local marine life, such as seals, dolphins, and basking sharks. The path was designated as a national trail in 1949 and is designated as a scenic byway.

It is imperative that you pay a visit to the offshore islands that are located in Pembrokeshire. There is a good range of boat cruises that depart from Milford Haven and head for the fascinating islands that are visible on the horizon in the near distance. A visit to the puffin colony on Skomer Island and a stop at the active Cistercian abbey on sacred Caldey Island are two of the most popular things to do in the area.

There is a national park in the Yorkshire Dales.

Yorkshire Dales
 

The Yorkshire Dales National Park is a region that is well known for its extensive farming history. It is also well known for its untamed heathlands and historic forests, which are neatly separated from one another by medieval drystone walls. Check out Hardraw Force, Janet's Foss, and Aysgarth Falls while you're here; the winding paths here are fantastic for exploring on horseback or a mountain bike, and there is a multitude of waterfalls that provide wonderful endings along the way.

One of the most impressive man-made structures in the park is the Ribblehead Viaduct, which is located in an area that is better known for the natural beauty it possesses. The magnificent achievement of Victorian engineering which is the historic landmark rises in beautiful arches over the moors of Yorkshire to provide support for the historic railway line as it winds its way toward Scotland.

National Park of the Cairngorm Mountains

Cairngorms
 

The most visited national park in all of Scotland is also the largest national park in the United Kingdom, covering an enormous 1,748 square miles. It is a climber's paradise, as it is home to five of the United Kingdom's six highest peaks. However, it is also a paradise for outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, and skiing; in fact, the well-known ski resort of Aviemore is located right within its borders. The charming towns of Kingussie and Newtonmore, which are both surrounded by aromatic pine trees, make for picture-perfect starting points for excursions into this magnificent national park.

The Highland Folk Museum in Newtonmore is an open-air "living history" museum that is dedicated to the fascinating past (which was often filled with violent events) of the Highlanders. This museum should not be missed.

The National Park of the Brecon Beacons

Brecon Beacons-2
 

Brecon Beacons National Park, like a number of other national parks in the United Kingdom, is almost as well-known for its cultural footprint as it is for the amount of hiking footfall it receives. This is due to the fact that this picturesque region of South Wales, which is comprised of broad valleys, ancient woodlands, and sharp mountaintops, is also the location of the renowned Hay Festival. This festival takes place once a year in a tent village and brings together some of the most exciting creative voices from around the world in the fields of literature and the arts. The rest of the year is all about the rough wilderness, and one mountain in particular, the incredibly picturesque Pen Y Fan, is what draws the majority of trekkers and attention.

Do not miss the opportunity to go stargazing in western Europe's only designated Dark Sky Reserve, which encompasses the entirety of the national park. It is a sparkling reward for those who prefer to appreciate this rural part of the United Kingdom (where there are more sheep than people) in the finest conceivable way: under canvas.


2022-12-02  Maliyah Mah