For blissful scenery, there’s the North Tyne Valley and Redesdale, a landscape filled with winding rivers, rolling hills and peaceful woodland. The valley is especially gorgeous in autumn, as the leaves turn from deep green to bright yellow and red. The park is also famed for its incredibly clear dark skies and is part of the Northumberland International Dark Sky Park, Europe’s largest area of protected night sky. This map helps park-goers discover the best spots to see their favourite constellations.
The Lake District’s landscape has also provided inspiration for famous writers such as Beatrix Potter, author of Peter Rabbit. Potter purchased her home in the Lake District in 1905 and lived there until her death, taking ideas from the picturesque surroundings when creating her much-loved stories. Potter's former Hill Top home on Near Sawrey is currently closed (its garden and shop is now open), but a scenic bridle path runs towards the village of Hawkhead and includes lovely views over Esthwaite Water.
With over 700 Scheduled Monuments and 3,000 listed historic buildings, the North York Moors is a park steeped in history. From crumbling castles and abbeys to ancient landmarks and museums, there’s plenty to transport you back in time. Historic highlights include the Gothic ruins of Whitby Abbey, the 7th-century monastery that inspired Bram Stoker's Dracula. There’s also Levisham Moor, an area known for its array of prehistoric remains dating back to the Bronze Age.
Another park home to some of England’s most epic scenery, the Dales are a jewel of North Yorkshire. The park is filled with some amazing natural wonders, most notably its striking rock formations. Formed by centuries of erosion, the 260-foot-high (80m) Malham Cove is a limestone curve north of Malham with a steep rock face, popular with climbers. You may recognise the cove from the adaptation of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 – it served as the location where Harry, Hermione and Ron camped during the film.
Adventurers and thrill-seekers are also known to flock to the Dales for the park’s epic Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge. The demanding 24-mile (39km) journey involves trying to climb the three mountain peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough, with a total ascent of 5,200 feet (1,585m), in under 12 hours. As well as challenging climbs, the Dales also boasts a handful of winding rivers and incredible waterfalls. Descending into the River Ure is one of the park’s most impressive features – a striking series of waterfalls known as Aysgarth Falls.
Nestled between Manchester and Sheffield in central England is this peaceful stretch of parkland and woodland. Founded in 1951, the Peak District became Britain’s very first national park and typically attracts over 10 million visitors each year, making it one of the UK’s most popular. Surprisingly, despite its name, the park does not have any mountain peaks, but there are theories that ‘peak’ came from an Anglo-Saxon tribe called the Pecsaetan, or Peaklanders, who lived in the region.
One of the UK’s most famous walking trails and England’s first national trail also exists in the park. The Pennine Way spans 268 miles (431km) from the village of Edale in Derbyshire all the way up to Kirk Yetholm on the rugged Scotland borders. There are plenty of scenic spots on the trail such as Jacob's Ladder, a series of stone steps that wind around a steep hill. Take a look at these stunning photos of Europe's best national parks.
Aside from the unique waterways, the Broads are also known for the historic mills that are dotted throughout the park. The lovingly-restored Hardley windmill is probably the most famous and sits on the banks of the River Yare. The Broads have some adorable towns and villages too. One of them is Horning, an ancient market town popular for boating activities. It folds out along the River Bure which is lined with pretty waterside houses. Take a look at the UK's prettiest towns and villages here.
Confirmed as a national park in 2010, the South Downs is the newest national park to make the list. Covering over 618 square miles (1,600sqkm), the park is most famous for the Seven Sisters, a series of striking chalk cliffs that frame the coastline near Eastbourne. The best way to see the cliffs is via the South Downs Way, the only national trail that exists entirely within a national park. The 100-mile (161km) trail stretches along the southeast coast, passing by rolling hills with epic views across the Channel.
Devil’s Dyke, a deep V-shaped valley close to Brighton, is another popular spot with walkers and hikers. It’s the longest ‘dry’ valley in the UK and features plenty of trails and scenic spots. Nearby is Ditchling Beacon, the highest point in East Sussex, with spectacular views across the park. Time a visit for dusk to catch the epic sunsets. If you're an early riser, here's where to see incredible sunrises around Britain.
With a diverse landscape of moorland, woodland, valleys and coastline, this park in Devon has it all. England’s longest national trail, the 630-mile (1,114km) South West Coast Path, partly spans across the Exmoor wilderness. Arguably the most breathtaking area of the park is its charming coast. Stretching across 37 miles (59km), it's hailed for bright blue waters, sandy coves and traditional seaside towns, and is one of the main reasons why Exmoor was granted national park status in 1954.
The Valley of the Rocks is a dramatic formation on the northern edge of the Exmoor coastline, featuring rugged cliffs, steep valleys and jagged rocks. Located west from Porlock along the coastal path, the valley overlooks the coast with a jaw-dropping view of the sea. Take a look at the UK's most beautiful beaches from above.
Named after the River Dart, this brooding park in South Devon is one of the largest stretches of moorland in the southwest. At 368 square miles (953sqkm), the park features an abundance of scenic trails and prehistoric monuments. Dartmoor’s rugged landscape has provided the setting for many great works of film and literature such as Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes, Hounds of the Baskervilles and the film adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s War Horse by Stephen Spielberg.
The New Forest, which was granted national park status in 2006, covers swathes of ancient woodlands, wild heathlands and miles of stunning coastline. It was once a royal hunting ground and today there are still animals aplenty, including its famous ponies, deer, birds and even some species of snakes. Now discover the world's most beautiful trees.
Alongside its majestic mountains and valleys, Snowdonia is famed for its incredible slate caverns and caves. The Llechwedd Slate Caverns chronicle the history of the town’s slate quarrying, which boomed during the Industrial Revolution, while the Llechwedd Deep Mine Tour typically takes visitors on Britain's steepest cable railway travelling over 500 feet (152m) underground. There’s also Zip World’s Bounce Below, a series of giant underground trampolines, nets and slides within the old mines for thrill-seekers. Although the Deep Mine Tour is temporarily closed, walking tours across the quarry are still running.
Another park famous for its dark skies and starry nights, Brecon Beacons is recognised as one of the only International Dark Sky Reserves in the world. On a clear night in some parts, visitors can see the Milky Way. The park’s Sugar Loaf Mountain is a favourite stargazing spot – its rural setting in Abergavenny means there's very little light pollution. Find more reasons to love Wales here.
Hidden half a mile's (0.8km) walk from Stackpole Quay is the remote Barafundle Bay, often tipped as one of the UK’s best beaches. With its pristine sand and eye-popping blue-green water, it’s a nice spot for a picnic in the sun. The bay has no road access so it can only be reached by a walk from the nearest car park in Stackpole Quay. Coasteering – a daring sport that involves climbing along rocky coastlines and cliff jumping – is a favourite activity here and the bays have some great waves for surfing.
The park is a haven for some incredible wildlife too. One of the Loch Lomond islands, Inchconnachan is inhabited by a population of wild wallabies. The Aussie natives were introduced to the island by Lady Arran Colquhoun in the 1940s and have been living there ever since. Heathland cows, golden eagles, otters and adder snakes also call the park home. Take a look at the world's most stunning natural wonders here.
While mountains dominate the landscape, the park has its fair share of hidden lochs and lakes hemmed by sandy beaches. Loch Morlich Beach, a freshwater strand in Glenmore Forest Park, is one of the most picturesque. Fringed by a pretty pine forest and set at the bottom of the rugged Cairngorm Mountains, the loch’s sandy shores are a breathtaking backdrop for swimming.