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Often, aspiring travellers reduce the Great Britain to a handful of experiences – drinking ale, enjoying pub life, and munching on fish and chips. Believing that there’s not much to do, they end up prioritising travel to more ‘interesting’ countries and unwittingly end up missing out on the fantastic experiences that these countries have to offer!
With wildly dramatic landscapes, stunning mountain ranges, breath-taking cliffs, and so much more, the National Parks in Great Britain are certainly worth a visit. Here’s a list of 10 beautiful national parks that offer a diverse range of experiences for you to enjoy!
1.Cairngorms National Park
2.Dartmoor National Park
3.Snowdonia National Park
4.New Forest National Park
5.Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park
6.Exmoor National Park
7.Norfolk Broads National Park
8.Brecon Beacons National Park
9.Northumberland National Park
10.Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
If your heart belongs to the mountains, then there’s no way you can leave Cairngorms National Park out of your travel plans. Apart from offering views to die for, this national park offers a range of amazing experiences for you to enjoy. If you visit this national park during the winter months, you can participate in adrenaline-pumping activities like skiing, ice climbing, and even rock climbing. In fact, if you can wrangle it, you certainly should head here during the winter as you’ll get to experience artic-like conditions – a fun experience for those who consider themselves staunch survivalists!
If you’re visiting with friends, you’ve simply got to head to the Edradour Distillery to enjoy a delicious glass of single malt. This is an experience worth boasting to your friends about – after all, how many times do you get to pull a Ron Swanson and spend time at a Scottish distillery?
The Dartmoor National Park is a place where history meets the present, letting you feel as though you’re slightly suspended in time, while surrounded by an unforgettably beautiful landscape. The national park should be marked as a dream-destination for anyone who enjoys a good stroll, and that’s because its winding trails take you through some of the most well-known spots that’ve made this park so popular. For instance, ever thought you’d get a chance to walk around Neolithic tombs? Have you always wanted to stand in front of the Bronze Age stone circles? Do you love mildly-spooky abandoned farmhouses? You see – the Dartmoor National Park offers myriad experiences.
While in the area, you should also check out Castle Drogo (before you ask, it’s not about Khal Drogo), the Buckfast Abbey, and even Haytor if you love rock climbing.
The Snowdonia National Park doesn’t just sound like the name of a medieval fantasy-slash-magic world, it also looks like it. Climb the iconic Snowdon mountain to marvel at panoramic views of seemingly endless greenery around you. Make sure you take an entire day out of your itinerary to do this because it can take anywhere between 5-7 hours to climb all the way to the top and back. Of course, you can always take the Snowdon Railway and reach the peak in just an hour, but why on earth would you want to miss out on what could very well be the most beautiful walk you’ve ever enjoyed in your life?
While in the Snowdonia National Park, you must also visit the Conwy Castle, Harlech Castle, and Caernarfon Castle to marvel at these ancient buildings that have stood the test of time.
The New Forest National Park, located in New Forest, is one of the most beautiful national parks in England, with stunning forests and open lands. One of the top experiences that you can enjoy here is riding a horse through the forest to spot wild birds and ponies. If you’re someone who loves surrounding yourself with luxury, then you must stay at the Limewood Hotel – they’ve got a really nice cookery school and if you’re travelling with your significant other, taking a few lessons can be a really enjoyable experience for the two of you. Make sure that you try fly fishing at the River Test before heading down to the nearby deer sanctuary.
An experience that you definitely cannot miss out on is visiting the New Forest Lavender Park, especially when the flowers are in full bloom. Go during dusk so that the dominant colour in the area is purple – this won’t just let you take beautiful pictures but will also let you feel like you’ve stepped into a magical land.
Finally, don’t forget to go to the New Forest Paddle Sport Company to enjoy a bit of paddling!
If you’re a fan of outdoor activities like camping, biking and hiking, then you’ve got to go to the Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park. Stay in a tiny tent with your partner and wake up to the smell of dewy grass and campfire. You can also enjoy a range of water activities such as paddle boating, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, sailing and windsurfing, provided you don’t visit the park during the rainy season. Cycle through the beautiful landscapes and watch unforgettable sunsets, book a spot on the Loch cruise with all your friends, or enjoy a fun ride on the water bus!
If you’re a fan of wildlife, you’re in for a treat! Keep your camera ready because you just might spot a red deer, red squirrels, wood warblers, Ptarmigan, black grouse, and more!
The Exmoor National Park is located in England, but you’d probably be forgiven for thinking it’s in Scotland if you’re basing your judgement on the pictures alone! With beautiful mountains and cliffs that overlook open landscapes, you’re likely to fall in love with this national park the minute you lay eyes on it. Make sure you take a walk down the South West Coast Path because it overlooks crystal clear blue waters and it’s a view you’ll remember forever. You should also make sure that you walk through the Valley of Rocks because the landscape is filled with ancient geological features and adorable wild goats that might just come up to you to say hi. Watersmeet is another great spot for a walk thanks to the stunning waterfalls and woodland area that surrounds it.
The Norfolk Broads National Park is home to a wide range of animal species, so if you’re looking for a traditional national park experience that includes a bunch of furry friends, then this is certainly a place to add to your list. You’ll get to see the largest butterfly species in Britain, along with hawker dragonflies and Swallowtails. You can also try your hand at freshwater fishing and see if you get lucky!
When you’re in the Brecon Beacons National Park, the first place you must head down to is the National Showcaves Centre of Wales. The extensive cave network is a joy to navigate and you’ll find that even underground, nature can look absolutely remarkable. While in the area, head down to the local dinosaur park and give your children another thing to marvel at. Pen y Fan, a part of the Brecon Beacons National Park, is a great place to enjoy a scenic hike with your family – you’ll truly feel blessed to be there.
If you go to the Brecon Beacons National Park, you must also make it a point to check out the Afan Forest Park, Llyn Cwm Llwch, Tretower Court and Castle, and the National Trust.
Have you always wanted to lie down under the open sky, gazing at stars as you fall asleep? Well, then you’ve got to visit the Northumberland National Park and do just that! With one of the largest sections of protected dark sky, this national park is the best place to drag your sleeping bag to just so you can watch the highest number of stars you’ve seen in your life. While this experience is open to everyone, we believe that couples travelling together would probably enjoy this the most!
It’s time to head away from the mountains and rolling landscapes and straight to coastal areas for some seafood and stunning views! The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park offers exactly that. Stay in traditional fishing villages and explore all the hidden coves along the golden beaches. You’ll find majestic cliffs in this area as well, and these certainly make for a good picnic spot. One of the top experiences to look out for while in this area is spotting dolphins, sea creatures, seals, birds, and even sharks basking lazily in the sun! Yes, you can do so from the coast itself, however, your chances are far better if you take a boat out on the open waters.
If you’re travelling with children (or managed to hold on to some healthy childish wonder), then you’ve got to go to the Oakwood Theme Park to enjoy the rides. Enjoy a stroll down the Pembrokeshire Coast path, take in the views at Barafundle Bay, and head down to Skomer to spot puffin and birds!
So, there you have it! These are some of the best national parks in Great Britain, and if you’re travelling to this part of the world, then you should definitely add them to your list of places you must visit before you leave! Whether you’re travelling with friends, a loved one, or your family, these national parks offer ample experiences for everyone to enjoy. Check out our UK Holiday Packages, and start planning your trip of natural wonder with Thomas Cook.
