Though England isn’t a big nation in comparison with america or Canada, you may be stunned to be taught that there are 10 nationwide parks inside its borders (out of 15 in the entire of the UK). On this information, you’ll be taught all you have to find out about visiting the nationwide parks in England.
These English nationwide parks cowl a variety of landscapes and habitats from moorland and heath, to coastal areas, lakes, rivers, and forests. Every presents a distinct alternative to find quaint English villages that haven’t modified a lot in centuries, fascinating wildlife, and loads of enjoyable actions. The nationwide parks are a number of the finest locations to go to in England.
I’ve visited a lot of the well-known parks in England (8 of the ten to be precise) and I’ve been to many of those a number of instances through the years – I believe I should have visited Dartmoor over 20 instances! These improbable wilderness parks are good for mountain climbing, biking, tenting, and a complete host of different outside actions.
Greatest Nationwide Parks in England
Under, you’ll discover data on all the nationwide parks in England from what to anticipate, find out how to go to, and issues to do contained in the parks themselves. That is based mostly alone private expertise in addition to up-to-date analysis and opinions from different vacationers.
A fast notice – the easiest way to get round these parks in England is to have your individual automobile. Goats On The Highway makes use of and recommends Uncover Automobiles. Click on right here to seek for the very best charges and evaluate the prices of rental vehicles.
1. Peak District Nationwide Park
The Peak District Nationwide Park covers an space of 555 sq. miles (1,438 sq. kilometers) in Central England. It kinds a part of the Pennine Hills, affectionately often known as the spine of England. The panorama consists of limestone dales and dramatic moorland, rolling hills, and forest.
Contained in the park, you’ll discover over 200 miles of mountain climbing trails and an enormous community of underground caves. The Peak District is house to the very best pure cave within the nation, Titan Cave, which was solely found by potholes simply over 20 years in the past. The best level within the park is Kinder Scout which stands at 2,087 ft (636 meters).
There’s a variety of actions on provide contained in the park from path strolling, biking, and horse driving to tenting, mountain climbing, and caving. Watersports can be found on the various lakes contained in the park, and thrill-seekers can actually have a go at paragliding.
Hardcore hikers can try one of many many long-distance trails such because the Pennine Manner, the Peak District Boundary Stroll, and the Peak Manner. There are additionally loads of shorter routes to select from which can be good for day hikes and straightforward strolls all through the park.
Location: The Peak District is situated in Central England about midway between Sheffield and Manchester. Click on right here for instructions.
Getting There: Renting a automotive is the easiest way to see the Peak District as public transport is considerably restricted inside England’s nationwide parks. Taking a tour, like this one from Manchester, is one other nice technique to see the highlights. Click on right here for more information.
Issues To Do: Strolling, climbing, and caving.
The place to Keep: There are just a few lodging choices contained in the nationwide park. The Barrell Inn presents deluxe rooms in a stunning rural setting near the village of Eyam. Click on right here to seek out out extra.
2. North York Moors Nationwide Park
The North York Moors Nationwide Park in northern England is likely one of the most lovely components of the nation. The park covers an space of 554 sq. miles (1,436 sq. kilometers) that features brooding moorland, valleys, hills, farmland, and historic stone villages.
I’ve household that reside in close by York so have spent loads of time up on the moors and it actually is likely one of the most picturesque locations in England. It’s the right place for mountain climbing at any time of 12 months, and fall is particularly good because the leaves on the bushes flip pink and gold.
In addition to the heather moorland, the park additionally covers a protracted stretch of shoreline from Staithes within the north to the attractive fishing city of Scarborough additional south. The city of Whitby makes an important base for exploring the park.
The park is a haven for birdlife and consists of a few of Britain’s hen of prey species reminiscent of raptors, buzzards, kites, and sparrowhawks amongst others. Actions on provide within the park embody strolling, fell-running, and biking. Occasions are held within the park all year long from nature walks and workshops to farmers’ markets and extra.
Location: The North York Moors are situated within the north of England stretching inland from the coast. Click on right here for instructions.
Getting There: As with the opposite parks in England, this one is in a rural space so renting a automotive is the easiest way to discover. There are additionally excursions from York that take within the cities and villages of the nationwide park. Click on right here for more information.
Issues To Do: Exploring fairly villages, mountain climbing, and strolling alongside the shoreline.
The place to Keep: There are many locations to remain in and across the park. Whitby makes a superb base for exploring and the Quantity 7 Visitor Home presents comfy rooms with sea views. Click on right here to seek out out extra.
3. Yorkshire Dales Nationwide Park
Yorkshire is fortunate sufficient to haven’t one, however two nationwide parks, and the Yorkshire Dales Nationwide Park is simply as spectacular because the Moors. The park covers an space of 841 sq. miles (2,179 sq. kilometers) of rolling hills and valleys punctuated by fairly villages of stone homes and outdated market cities.
There are many locations of curiosity inside the park from the beautiful Aysgarth Falls, a cascading sequence of falls on the River Ure, to the three peaks of Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside, and Ingleborough which will be climbed individually or as a part of the Yorkshire Three Peaks Problem.
One of many highlights of the park is the Settle to Carlisle Railway which winds its approach by a sequence of tunnels and throughout picturesque viaducts just like the one at Ribblehead. When you don’t have your individual transport there are many glorious day journeys and excursions to the Dales that you could take as an alternative. Click on right here for more information.
Location: The Yorkshire Dales Nationwide Park is situated within the North of England; North Yorkshire, Westmorland, and Lancashire. Click on right here for instructions.
Getting There: Renting a automotive is the easiest way to see the Dales, as is utilizing the scenic Settle to Carlisle Railway. Taking a tour is one other nice technique to see the highlights of the Dales. Click on right here to seek out out extra.
Issues To Do: See the Aysgarth Falls, trip the steam railway, and discover cities and villages.
The place to Keep: Skipton is a captivating market city on the sting of the nationwide park and is a good base for exploring. The Pinfold is a visitor home set inside a stunning seventeenth Century stone constructing within the coronary heart of Skipton. Click on right here to guide.
4. Dartmoor
Dartmoor is my favourite of the nationwide parks in England. It’s one of many wildest components of the nation and has an austere magnificence unmatched by the opposite parks (at the very least for my part). I’ve been visiting Dartmoor since childhood; mountain climbing throughout its lovely hills and valleys.
Discover villages product of native stone such because the attractive Belstone close to Oakhampton. When you’re fortunate, you would possibly spot a number of the wild Dartmoor ponies which typically come into the villages to graze. There’s a lot to do on Dartmoor from mountain climbing and tenting to orienteering, horse driving, and different outside actions.
It’s maybe no shock that such a wild, and typically inhospitable place is the house of a giant jail, and the Dartmoor Jail Museum is properly value testing. Different factors of curiosity embody the beautiful eleventh Century Buckfast Abbey which continues to be house to an order of Benedictine monks.
Though Dartmoor is likely one of the finest nationwide parks in England by way of surroundings, it’s a really wild place, and it’s simple to get into hassle with out cautious planning. Be ready when heading off mountain climbing and guarantee you may have heat climate gear (even in summer season the climate can flip rapidly), a map, and a compass, and ensure to let somebody know the place you’re going and while you anticipate to return.
Location: Dartmoor is within the west of England not removed from town of Exeter. Click on right here for instructions.
Getting There: Renting a automotive is the easiest way to discover Dartmoor. The closest city to the Moors is Oakhampton. This unbelievable 5-day tour of Devon and Cornwall features a journey to Dartmoor. Click on right here for more information.
Issues To Do: Mountain climbing, exploring villages, horse driving.
The place to Keep: Belstone makes a wonderful base for exploring the moors and there’s an exquisite river valley and waterfall only a brief stroll from the village. You possibly can keep within the native pub, The Tors, which I’ve executed many instances. Click on right here to seek out out extra.
5. Exmoor
Exmoor Nationwide Park is like Dartmoor’s happier little brother. The place Dartmoor will be brooding and forlorn (although stunningly lovely), Exmoor is brilliant and nice with rippling rivers, open pastures, and lovely coastal walks. The park covers an space of simply 268 sq. miles (693 sq. kilometers), making it one of many smallest nationwide parks within the nation.
Though small, Exmoor is a pleasant place for mountain climbing, biking, visiting historic market cities, and visiting the rugged north Devon shoreline. I’ve holidayed on Exmoor many instances through the years and it’s positively among the best parks in England for surroundings and issues to do.
A number of the locations of curiosity on Exmoor embody Dunster Citadel and Watermill, which date again to Anglo-Saxon instances and now function a stately house, and the attractive Valley of Rocks on the South West Coast Path. There’s heaps to do within the park reminiscent of mountain climbing, swimming, and browsing.
Location: Exmoor is situated in North Devon in England’s attractive Westcountry. Click on right here for instructions.
Getting There: Renting a automotive is the easiest way to see Exmoor.
Issues To Do: Coastal walks, horse driving, swimming.
The place to Keep: Ilfracombe on the north Devon coast makes an important base for exploring the nationwide park. The Devonian is a captivating resort with a non-public backyard simply 100 meters from the seaside. Click on right here to be taught extra.
6. New Forest Nationwide Park
The New Forest Nationwide Park in southern England covers an space of 219 sq. miles (566 sq. kilometers) of historic forest, heathland, farmland, and shoreline. Similar to Dartmoor, the New Forest is known for its native breed of moorland pony that decision the nationwide park house.
Different species discovered throughout the park embody wild deer, uncommon butterflies, and wading birds. The park covers an space of shoreline with lovely sandy seashores good for swimming and sunbathing in summer season. I’ve visited the New Forest just a few instances and it’s an important place for a day hike and picnic.
There’s heaps to see and do inside the nationwide park from visiting the Nationwide Motor Museum to driving the steam prepare at Exbury Gardens, mountain climbing alongside the various trails, and exploring the southern shoreline.
Location: The New Forest is 82 miles (132 km) southwest of London. Click on right here for instructions.
Getting There: As with the opposite nationwide parks, renting a automotive is the easiest way to get right here. You may as well take a prepare from London to Southampton and discover on foot and by native public transport. Trains depart London Waterloo hourly and the journey takes simply 80 minutes.
Issues To Do: Go to Exbury Gardens and the steam railway, see the motor museum, and hike alongside the south coast.
The place to Keep: Southampton is the closest metropolis to the New Forest and makes an important base for exploring the park. The Regent Visitor Home presents fashionable, comfy rooms with en-suites. Click on right here to guide.
7. Northumberland Nationwide Park
The Northumberland Nationwide Park covers an space of 405 sq. miles (1,049 sq. kilometers) in northern England near the Scottish Borders. It’s the northmost nationwide park in England, and in addition the least populated. That is the very best nationwide park for mountain climbing in England because of its wild and rugged panorama.
The park is house to the long-lasting Hadrian’s Wall, a defensive wall constructed by the Romans underneath Emperor Hadrian in 122AD to maintain the Picts (an historic tribe from Scotland) out of Britania. This is likely one of the prime sights within the area and a must-visit for historical past followers like myself.
Different locations of curiosity embody beautiful Coquetdale the place the Coquet River meanders by moorland, and The Cheviots, a variety of hills straddling the border of England and Scotland creating one of the vital scenic locations within the park. The Sill is an exhibition heart, museum, and cafe that makes a superb place to begin for exploring the park.
Location: Northumberland Nationwide Park is within the far north of England on the border with Scotland. Click on right here for instructions.
Getting There: It is a very wild and sparsely populated space, so once more, renting a automotive is finest.
Issues To Do: Stroll alongside Hadrian’s Wall, go to the Sill exhibition heart, and hike the Cheviots.
The place to Keep: Rothbury on the sting of the park makes an important base. The Haven is a captivating visitor home with quick access to the nationwide park. Click on right here to be taught extra.
8. The South Downs Nationwide Park
The rolling hills of the South Downs Nationwide Park cowl an space of 628 sq. miles (1,627 sq. kilometers) throughout Hampshire, West Sussex, and East Sussex. It’s the closest nationwide park to London and will be reached from town in underneath an hour. I’ve spent loads of time mountain climbing and exploring castles on this park.
The world is ideal for strolling as there are many simple trails and the panoramic views right down to the south coast are actually magnificent. The charming city of Lewes is situated inside the park and is properly value a go to for its picturesque excessive road and plentiful pubs and boutique outlets.
One of the spectacular components of the park is the Seven Sisters Nation Park which is house to steep white, half cliffs towering above the south coast. You possibly can stroll alongside the clifftop (don’t go too close to the sting!) or alongside the underside and spend time on the attractive Sussex seashores.
Location: The South Downs cowl a big space of southern England from Eastbourne to Winchester. Click on right here for instructions.
Getting There: In contrast to most of the extra rural nationwide parks, it’s comparatively simple to get to the South Downs with public transport. There are hourly trains from London to Lewes, Eastbourne, Brighton, and plenty of different locations inside the park, from the place you may discover on foot.
Issues To Do: Go to Lewes, see the Seven Sisters, and take within the panoramic views of the south coast.
The place to Keep: The attractive city of Lewes makes an important base for exploring the South Downs. Meadow View is a two-bedroom studio flat with a terrace and views of the Downs. Click on right here to seek out out extra.
9. The Norfolk Broads Nationwide Park
The Norfolk Broads Nationwide Park is probably the most distinctive of all of the parks in England. It covers an space of simply 117 sq. miles (303 sq. kilometers) making it the smallest of England’s nationwide parks. It’s additionally the one nationwide park that’s artifical, because the broads (a sequence of interconnecting waterways) are a byproduct of peat digging from the twelfth to the 14th Century.
The Norfolk Broads are made up of seven rivers and 63 particular person broads and it’s one of the vital widespread locations within the nation for boating (Lord Nelson allegedly realized to sail right here). It’s additionally Britain’s largest protected wetland and habitat for an enormous variety of birds and different wildlife species.
I’ve been out boating on the Broads many instances and it’s nice enjoyable. You possibly can hire a ship for the day, or take out a bigger vessel with a sleeping space and set off on a multi-day journey throughout these nice East-Anglian waterways. Costs begin from round £600 for seven nights on a ship that sleeps two folks. Click on right here to be taught extra.
Location: The Norfolk Broads are situated within the East Anglian county of Norfolk, only a couple miles from town of Norwich. Click on right here for instructions.
Getting There: The Broads are simply reachable from Norwich, which is a 3-hour prepare journey from London.
Issues To Do: Go boating, see the East Anglian sunsets, and discover Norwich.
The place to Keep: As Norwich is simply 4 miles from the Norfolk Broads this makes an important base. Nonetheless, the easiest way to expertise the Broads is to take a ship out and sleep on the water.
10. Lake District Nationwide Park
The Lake District Nationwide Park is 912 sq. miles (2,362 sq. kilometers) making it the most important nationwide park in England. It’s additionally one of the vital lovely with beautiful Lake Windermere at its heart. There’s heaps to do from boating on the lake to lakeside walks, and a few glorious mountain climbing within the close by mountains.
The park is house to England’s highest mountain, Scafell Pike at 3,208 ft (978 meters), which is a well-liked route for hikers because it presents magnificent views of the nationwide park. It takes round two hours to achieve the summit and one other two to get again down once more.
The park can also be house to some attractive English villages and market cities with stone cottages, rustic pubs, and boutique outlets promoting native produce and handicrafts. Keswick and Kendall are two of the most well-liked locations and provide quick access to the lake and surrounding hikes.
Location: The Lake District is within the north of England and adjoins the Yorkshire Dales Nationwide Park. Click on right here for instructions.
Getting There: As with a lot of the northern nationwide parks, and due to its rural location, renting a automotive is the easiest way to see the Lake District.
Issues To Do: Go boating on Lake Windemere, climb Scafell Pike, and discover the cities and villages of the park.
The place to Keep: There are many lodging choices round Lake Windemere. Meadowcroft Nation Visitor Home presents comfy rooms with mountain views simply two miles from the lake. Click on right here to seek out out extra.
Getting Round England
By far the easiest way to get round when visiting the English nationwide parks is to have your individual automobile. Because the parks are rurally situated, public transport is sort of non-existent in some locations. Hire a automotive while you get to England and this can will let you discover these unbelievable locations at your individual tempo.
A number of the nationwide parks are simpler to go to with Public transport such because the Norfolk Broads, the South Downs, and the New Forest. For the Broads, you may take a prepare from London to Norwich which takes round three hours. For the South Downs, take the prepare to Eastbourne or Lewes (underneath one hour from London), and for the New Forest go to Southampton.
Fast Itineraries for Visiting the Prime Parks in England
Listed here are just a few easy itineraries to observe when visiting the nationwide parks:
3 Days in England
With simply three days in England, it’s finest to select only one nationwide park and focus on exploring that space. You possibly can, in principle, go to a number of parks on this time, however it’ll imply you’ll spend most of your time touring and have little or no time to take pleasure in the great thing about these nationwide treasures at leisure.
Select a nationwide park based mostly on the place you’ll be flying into or staying. The closest nationwide parks to London are the South Downs and New Forest, the closest to Bristol is Exmoor, the closest to Manchester is the Peak District and the closest to Leeds are the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors.
One Week in England
With every week to spend visiting the nationwide parks in England, select one or two parks to spend time exploring. Dartmoor and Exmoor can each be explored inside every week because it’s solely an hour’s drive alongside the A38 between the 2. This will provide you with time to expertise the great thing about Dartmoor earlier than heading to the beautiful north coast of Devon.
When you’d reasonably spend your time within the north of England, you may mix the North York Moor and Yorkshire Dales, or the Dales and the Lake District (this is likely one of the most scenic within the nation and is house to the attractive Lake Windermere). You possibly can select a base between parks and go to as day journeys, or spend time in a single earlier than shifting on to the subsequent.
10+ Days in England
With 10 days to discover, you may expertise three to 4 of England’s nationwide parks, however you’ll want your individual transport to take action. If beginning in London, you may make your technique to Dartmoor through the New Forest. You possibly can then go to Exmoor earlier than heading north and stopping on the Peak District.
Alternatively, you can begin within the north and go to Northumberland earlier than shifting south to the Lake District and each of Yorkshire’s nationwide parks. You might additionally base your self someplace like Leeds which might provide the alternative to discover the Peak District, each Yorkshire parks, and the Lake District.
Nationwide Parks in England: FAQs
Listed here are some solutions to generally requested questions on visiting the parks and reserves in England:
There are 10 nationwide parks in England and 15 in the entire of the UK together with Scotland and Wales. The parks are unfold throughout the nation and embody inland and coastal parks, mountains, lakes, and rivers.
The most effective nationwide park in England will largely rely on what you’re searching for. Personally, I believe Dartmoor is the very best nationwide park in England for its austere magnificence and wildness. The South Downs, Lake District, and Peak District are three of probably the most visited nationwide parks in England so are additionally thought-about the very best by many.
All of the nationwide parks in England are free to enter (although parking costs could apply). Lots of the parks even have glorious customer facilities with a wealth of knowledge on find out how to go to that are additionally free to enter.
The Lake District is the most important nationwide park in England because it covers an space of 912 sq. miles (2,362 sq. kilometers). By comparability, the Norfolk Broads Nationwide Park is the smallest with an space of simply 117 sq. miles (303 sq. kilometers).
The entire nationwide parks in England are stunningly lovely and every has its personal distinctive promoting factors, so it might be unattainable to decide on only one park. Nonetheless, on a private degree, I’d say Dartmoor is probably the most lovely, adopted intently by Northumberland.
Wild tenting within the nationwide parks isn’t allowed (you’ll have to go to Scotland for this), nevertheless most of the parks have designated campsites and amenities the place you may camp. Go to the web site of the actual park for extra particulars.
In Conclusion
Now you recognize about the very best nationwide parks in England, which one would you want to go to first? From the wild and windswept Dartmoor and Northumberland to the picturesque New Forest and Exmoor, Yorkshire’s two nationwide parks, and extra, there’s no excuse to not go to considered one of these attractive locations.
I really like exploring these lovely, and nonetheless comparatively untouched components of the nation as there’s a lot alternative for outside journey. From mountain climbing and biking to swimming, caving, and rock/mountaineering, there’s one thing to maintain everybody entertained.
