Home Travel Guide Best National Parks in the UK
Travel Guide Updated April 2026

Best National Parks in the UK

The UK's 15 national parks ranked — Lake District, Snowdonia, Cairngorms and the rest.

InfoUK.org · Independent guide · Not affiliated with any government

England Parks

  • Lake District — UNESCO, England's tallest mountain Scafell Pike, 16 lakes
  • Peak District — first UK national park (1951), Mam Tor, Chatsworth House
  • Yorkshire Dales — limestone valleys, dales, James Herriot country
  • North York Moors — heather moors, abbey ruins (Whitby), steam railway
  • Northumberland — Hadrian's Wall, dark sky reserve
  • South Downs — chalk cliffs (Seven Sisters), Brighton-adjacent
  • New Forest — wild ponies, ancient woodland
  • Dartmoor — granite tors, Bronze Age remains
  • Exmoor — coastal moor, dark sky park
  • The Broads (East Anglia) — wetlands, river network

Scotland Parks

  • Cairngorms — UK's largest park (1,748 sq miles), reindeer, Ben Macdui
  • Loch Lomond & The Trossachs — Scotland's largest loch, near Glasgow

Wales Parks

  • Snowdonia (Eryri) — Snowdon (1,085m), Wales' highest peak, mountain railway
  • Pembrokeshire Coast — UK's only coastal national park, 186-mile path
  • Brecon Beacons — moorland, waterfalls, dark sky reserve

Best for Hiking

  • Lake District — most variety, well-trodden paths
  • Snowdonia — highest summits in Wales
  • Cairngorms — UK's biggest wilderness
  • Pembrokeshire Coast Path — best coastal walking
  • Peak District — closest to cities (Manchester, Sheffield)

Best for Families

  • New Forest — wild ponies, easy walks, lots of pubs
  • Lake District — Beatrix Potter sites, kid-friendly trails
  • Peak District — caves (Castleton), Chatsworth House
  • South Downs — beach access (Seven Sisters)
🌌 Dark sky reserves: Northumberland, Brecon Beacons, Exmoor are official Dark Sky parks — among Europe's best for stargazing. Cairngorms also exceptional.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How many national parks in the UK?

15 — 10 in England, 3 in Wales, 2 in Scotland.

Are UK national parks free?

Yes — entry to all UK national parks is free. Some attractions inside (castles, museums) charge.

Best UK national park for hiking?

Lake District for variety, Snowdonia for highest peaks, Cairngorms for vast wilderness.