Archive Website of the UK government

Local parks

Good quality parks enhance the quality of life in towns and cities. Parks provide a focal point for communities, a place for relaxation or recreation, and the opportunity to experience nature in an urban environment. The majority of parks are run by local councils. For more information about your local parks, visit your council's website.

• Find out about local parks Opens new window

National Parks

National Parks contain some of the most remote and beautiful open spaces in the UK.

There are 14 National Parks in Britain. These are mostly located in the less populated upland areas with extensive swathes of open country and spectacular views.

Find out more on the ‘National Parks’ page.

• National Parks

Green Flag and Green Pennant Awards

The Green Flag Award recognises high standards in the management and maintenance of public parks and green spaces in England and Wales. It can also be awarded to green spaces managed by voluntary or community groups. Participation is voluntary and awards are given on an annual basis.

The number of Green Flag Awards is increasing every year, helping to improve the quality of parks across the country. Find out about Green Flag Award winners in your region.

• Green Flag Award winners Opens new window

Royal parks

Each year, millions of people visit London's eight royal parks. The 5,000 acres of historic urban parkland provide opportunities for walks, sport, education and exploration – right in the heart of the capital.

Why not make a trip to the royal parks part of your visit to London?

• Information on visiting the royal parks Opens new window

Country parks

• Find a country park: Natural England Opens new window

• Country parks accreditation scheme Opens new window

Town or village greens

There are many areas of land in cities, towns and villages that are used by local residents for sport, recreation and enjoyment. Years of use by the local community has established a legal right to use them for sports and pastimes.

Many of these spaces are legally registered and protected as town or village greens.

In addition to registered greens there are many other types of greens available for public use. You can find out about the different types of greens from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Open Spaces Society.

• Town and village greens: Defra Opens new window

• Open Spaces Society Opens new window

• Find out about common land and village greens from your council Opens new window

Millennium and doorstep greens

• Doorstep and millennium greens information from Natural England Opens new window

Common land

Common land has been a feature of the countryside for 1000 years. It is found in every part of the country. It ranges from Lake District fells to Surrey picnic spots; from Norfolk saltings to Dartmoor hill grazing.

Some common land is very well-known, like the Malvern Hills or Wimbledon Common, while others are small areas known only to local people.

Most common land is listed in registers held by local authorities, and nearly all is available for public access. The National Trust owns a lot of common land that is open to the public.

You can find maps of accessible common land on the Natural England website. General information is also available from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Open Spaces Society.

• Accessible common land maps from Natural England Opens new window

• Common land: Defra Opens new window

• Open Spaces Society Opens new window

More useful links

• Visiting places of interest if you are disabled (disabled people section)

• Travel and holidays in the UK (disabled people section)

• Countryside access for disabled people (disabled people section)