Archive Website of the UK government

What National Parks are

National Parks are areas of countryside in which the wildlife and scenery are protected from being damaged. Everyone can visit and enjoy National Parks, and many people live and work in the farms, villages and towns within them.

National Park land is owned by private landowners, including farmers, organisations like the National Trust, and the people who live in the parks.

Each National Park is looked after by a park authority that works to protect its natural beauty, wildlife and historic sites. Park authorities also help visitors to learn more about and enjoy the parks.

• The National Trust Opens new window

Where National Parks are

There are 14 National Parks in England, Scotland and Wales, plus the Broads. The parks range in size from 305 to 3,800 square kilometres.

The Broads, in Norfolk and Suffolk, is Britain's largest protected wetland. Although it is not a National Park, it has been given equal status, and is managed by the Broads Authority.

You can find a list of the National Parks, and links to their websites, on the National Parks website. You can also find a map showing exactly where the parks are.

• British National Parks, including the Broads Opens new window

Visiting National Parks

Whether you’re looking for a peaceful break or a more active visit, national parks have a lot to offer. Whatever you plan to do, you can rely on seeing some stunning scenery and exceptional wildlife.

National Parks are great places to indulge in outdoor activities like walking, cycling, sailing and adventure sports. Visit the National Parks website for all you need to know about visiting the parks, where to stay and maps to help you get around.

• National Parks visitor information Opens new window

Help to look after National Parks

You can get involved with looking after National Parks by volunteering to guide visitors or helping to build walls, for example. You can also find out about job opportunities at National Parks or become a ‘friend’ by joining a National Park society. See the National Parks website for more information.

• Volunteer or work in a National Park Opens new window

• Conservation projects in National Parks Opens new window

• Become a friend of National Parks Opens new window

Climate change and National Parks

Climate change is affecting the landscape and wildlife in National Parks. The threats from climate change include:

• more floods that can trap farm animals in fields or cause problems for birds that nest on the ground
• a greater risk of fires that can damage peat bogs and heather
• some plants and animals could be unable to adapt quickly enough to new weather conditions, and die out
• cliffs being eroded (worn away) by the sea and rain
• peat bogs being eroded and leaking out carbon dioxide (CO2) rather than storing it

National Parks can actually help to combat climate change, by:

• creating more woodlands so that new trees can soak up CO2
• protecting peat bogs, which soak up and store CO2

To read about the work happening in National Parks and future plans to combat climate change, visit the National Parks website.

You can find out more about the effects of climate change on the natural world by reading ‘Effects of climate change’. The importance of peat is explained in ‘Choosing peat-free soils and fertilisers’.

• National Parks Climate Change action plans Opens new window

• Effects of climate change

• Choosing peat-free soils and fertilisers

More useful links

• Cycling