National Parks in England

Twirling ribbons of calm water lend themselves to a multitude of beautiful locations in the Broads National Park. Our favourites include:

• Hickling Broad. The largest of the broads, Hickling is a haven for wildlife. Look out got bittern, swallowtail butterflies and cranes amidst the country’s largest reed bed.
• Hoveton Little Broad. Located on the northwest stretch of the Broads National Park, Hoveton Little Broad is better known as Black Horse Broad. As with all good nomenclature, the name comes from a pub which once stood nearby. Open from Easter to mid-September, there is a charming paddle route to the broad from the quaint village of Horning.
• St Benet’s Abbey. Standing proud against the wide Norfolk horizon, the Abbey of St Benet is the only Anglo-Saxon monastery in Norfolk. The only monastery in the country to survive Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries, the abbey is a picturesque ruin today.

The Broads offer a unique haven for flora and fauna. Watch out for a glimpse of cranes, bittern, marsh harriers and the Norfolk hawker dragonfly, to name a few.

Yes, you can drive around much of the Broads National Park. For the best views and the full experience, take to the water and enjoy the park by boat.

The Dartmoor National Park is an atmospheric landscape of wild moorland and dramatic tors. The most beautiful part of Dartmoor is Haytor. To the east of the national park, Haytor offers panoramic views of Devon and the coast. Half a mile from the Dartmoor National Park visitor centre, this is a great palace to get a feel for the area. Make a day of it following the 29 km/18 mile Templar Way walk along the shadow of the former granite tramway from Haytor to Teignmouth on the coast. In the spring, listen out for the call of cuckoos, a traditional symbol of spring’s arrival in England.

On the western edge of Dartmoor National Park, visit the pretty Sourton Tors. Offering expansive views across to neighbouring Cornwall, the landscape also bears the scars of the late 1800s ice works here, part of Dartmoor’s long industrial past.

The moorland of this national park in England offers a great environment for wildlife. Look out for barbastelle bats, skylarks and ring ouzel. There is also livestock roaming Dartmoor including sheep, cattle and, of course, the iconic Dartmoor pony.

You can drive around much of the Dartmoor National Park. Be mindful of animals – there is a 40mph speed limit in places.

A varied landscape of heather moorland, soaring cliffs and ancient history, Exmoor is a picturesque national park. One of the most iconic sections is the Valley of the Rocks. Falling into the sea, the valley is surrounded by steep cliffs. Offering dramatic views out to sea, keep an eye out on the rock face for the wild goats who scramble around the craggy terrain. The valley is best seen on foot – the 5 km/3 mile loop from Lynton is surprisingly level.

Another one of the prettiest parts of the Exmoor National Park is Dunkery Beacon. At 1703 ft/519 m, the beacon is the highest point in Exmoor, offering gorgeous views of the surrounding countryside and across the Bristol Channel to Wales. A fine heather moorland, the landscape is dotted with Bronze Age archaeology.

Much like Devon’s other national park, Exmoor has its own breed of pony which can be seen across the park. Look for wildlife like red squirrels and a kaleidoscope of butterflies alongside the livestock.

There is a legend of a big cat on Exmoor, the Beast of Exmoor, dating back over 50 years. Although you are unlikely to encounter a big cat roaming the moor, you never know…

Yes, you can drive in the Exmoor National Park, and plenty of car parks are available. However, the park is best enjoyed by foot along the extensive rights of way, or on bike along the West Country Way cycle route.

With so many beautiful areas, you are never far from the prettiest part of the Lake District. Stroll beside iconic lakes like Windermere and Buttermere, soaking in the atmosphere of the Lakes, or stop by a charming village such as Grasmere. Once home to the great poet William Wordsworth, the village is also home to the famous Grasmere Gingerbread. Follow your nose to uncover this unique treat.

The Lake District is full of fascinating wildlife. Enjoy sightings of deer, red squirrels and otters while red kites and peregrine falcons circle overhead. The Lakes are also home to the cute Herwick sheep, a symbol of the national park.

Yes, you can drive in parts of the Lake District. However, don’t miss enjoying the area on foot; the best views are from the water. There is also a reasonable bus service across the national park and surrounding areas.

Despite being one of the smallest national parks in England, the New Forest packs in plenty of attractive features, from meandering rivers to a Georgian shipbuilding hamlet.

• Beaulieu River is one of the few private rivers in the world. The water winds through the New Forest, from its heart down to the Solent. Find out more about this attractive river and 13th century village in our list of England’s Secret Nature Spots.
• On the bank of the Beaulieu River sits Buckler’s Hard. A former shipbuilding yard and accompanying 18th century village, the site has remained unaltered over time. A two mile walk from Beaulieu, combine the two for an idyllic day of history and picturesque architecture.
• If you prefer your locations to be more shaped by nature, the New Forest has many such sites. Some of our favourites include Telegraph Hill and Rhinefield Ornamental Drive.

The New Forest offers no shortage of animals, including the iconic New Forest ponies, one of many free-roaming farm animals in the national park. Watch for other wildlife, including bats, dragonflies, oystercatchers, deer, and more.

You can drive in much of the New Forest National Park, although some roads have a 40mph speed limit to protect the animals. The national park has a good bus network and many lovely walking trails.

The rolling hills and rugged moorland of the Northumberland National Park provide endless beautiful locations. Perhaps the most iconic is the sharp slopes of the Sycamore Gap on Hadrian’s Wall.

Walk out on the Simonside Hills for panoramic views of the surrounding area. A distinctive ridge, Simonside is packed with history. Look out for Bronze Age burials, evidence of 18th century farming and more. To the west, the region of Coquetdale is not to be missed.

The Northumberland National Park is a haven for many animals, including red squirrels, grouse, wild goats and owls.

Yes, you can drive through the Northumberland National Park, and plenty of car parks are available. Head out along the paths to experience the remote landscape that inspired great writers and artists.

The North York Moors includes over 40,000 hectares of heather moorland. In the summer, when the flowers bloom vivid purple, anywhere is spectacular. Walk out along the trails for a peaceful private viewing.

On the western edge of the North York Moors sits Helmsley Walled Garden. Filled with orchards, wildflowers and more, this garden is a tranquil beauty loving created by a team of volunteers.

Animals found in the North York Moors National Park include grouse, golden plover, Duke of Burgundy butterfly, and moorland merlin, the UK’s smallest bird of prey. Off the coast, whales can also be seen.

Yes, you can drive in much of the North York Moors National Park.

The Peak District National Park has no shortage of lovely spots. One of the most iconic is Stanage Edge, a plunging stone face famous for its breathtaking views. Another site for stunning views of the region is Mam Tor, and of course, Kinder Scout, the highest point in the national park, is worth the climb.

Towards the southern end of the Peak District sits the pretty village of Bakewell. It is best known for its ties with Bakewell pudding, better known today as delicious Bakewell tarts. Further north, Hathersage is another charming village. With streets of quaint cottages, the town also has connections to Charlotte Brontë’s novel, Jane Eyre.

Many species call the Peak District home, including the golden plover, mountain hare and grouse. More endangered residents include the white-claw crayfish and willow tit.

Driving is a popular way to experience the Peak District, but with a good bus service available, especially in summer, it’s easy to leave the car at home. Heading out on foot, there are numerous trails to enjoy. The Pennine Way, or the ‘backbone of England’, starts in the Peak District.

The most beautiful part of the South Downs Way is hard to choose amidst a landscape full of charming scenery. Some of our favourites include Harting Down, Kingley Vale and Devil’s Dyke. Perhaps the most iconic sight is of the Seven Sisters, a row of white chalk cliffs stretching along the English Channel.

The chalky soil supports a unique range of flora and fauna. Look out for rare species such as the adonis blue butterfly, chalk carpet moth, barbastelle bat and greater mouse-eared bat. The otter, barn owl and brown trout are more common but no less special.

You can drive through much of the South Downs National Park. Excellent bus routes and affordable bike hire offer a greener alternative. There are also several trains which stop in the national park.

The Yorkshire Dales offer an abundance of scenic spots. Some of our favourites include the towering Malham Cove, the dramatic waterfalls of Gordale Scar and the enchanting Janet’s Foss. Bolton Abbey, and the stepping stones, are a charming stop on any adventure in the area.

The sheep are perhaps the most iconic animals in the Yorkshire Dales. From fluffy white Wensleydale to round-eyed Swaledale, sheep have a long history in the national park. While not an animal, keep an eye out for the moss in the Yorkshire Dales – some of these species are unique to the Dales!

You can drive through much of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. However, hop on a regular bus to enjoy the Dales without worrying about the directions – the added height will mean you can see over those famous walls too!

For a more green alternative, hop on your bike to experience roads used at the start of the 2014 Tour de France. For the adventurous hiker, take advantage of the chance to attempt the Yorkshire Three Peak challenge.