National Parks in England

The Broads

  • Designated: By separate Act of Parliament 1989
  • Considered to be "one of the family of National Parks"
  • Location: east of Norwich, around the rivers Yare, Waveney, Bure, Ant and Thurne
  • What to see: the area is a network of tidal and slow moving rivers, fens, marshes and carr woodland
  • Current issues: improvement of water quality, undergrounding of power lines, support for tourism and sustainable development
  • Places of interest: Ranworth Broad with wildlife centre, Barton Broad, Hickling and How Hill NNRs, Whitlingham Broad Activity Centre and Burgh Castle
  • Broads Authority
  • Broads Society

Dartmoor

  • Designated: 1951
  • Location: south west England
  • What to see: granite massif rising out of the Devon lowlands to form a dramatic landscape with a distinctive geology, flora and fauna
  • Current issues: military presence, renewable energy
  • Places of interest: Princetown, Widecombe, Wistman's Wood, and Grimspound
  • National Park Authority
  • Dartmoor Preservation Association

Exmoor

  • Designated: 1954
  • Location: south west England
  • What to see: magnificent coastline a mixture of extensive wild open moor land, ancient woodland, river valleys, coasts and cliffs, wild ponies and red deer, historical archaeology
  • Current issues: recreational use of rights of way by motorised vehicles, telecommunication masts, wind turbines
  • Places of interest: Valley of Rocks, Snowdrop Valley, Tarr Steps, Wimbleball Lake, Dunster village
  • National Park Authority
  • Exmoor Society

Lake District

  • Designated: 1951
  • Location: north west England
  • What to see:  open fells, high peaksclear lakes, tarns and rivers, ancient woodlands  traditional farms and villages
  • Current issues:   Reservoir creationat Ullswater, A66 and A590 road improvements, Windermere 10 mph speed limit, Upland footpath erosion - sustainability of upland farming, wind farms, inappropriate tourism development, traffic and transport
  • Places of interest:  Ambleside , Coniston, Keswick, Grasmere
  • National Park Authority
  • Friends of the Lake District

New Forest

  • Designated: 2005
  • Location: south England
  • What to see: a mosaic of ancient woodland, open heather-covered heaths, rivers and valley mires, coastline of mudflats and salt marshes
  • Current issues: conservation of wetlands, campsites, commoning
  • Places of interest: Bolderwood, Exbury
  • National Park Authority
  • New Forest Association

Northumberland

  • Designated: 1956
  • Location: north east England
  • What to see: breathtaking rolling moors and grassland and inspiring valleys
  • Current issues: wind energy, farm subsidies, wildlife protection
  • Places of interest: Hadrian's Wall, the Cheviots and the Breamish Valley
  • National Park Authority
  • Northumberland and Newcastle Society

North York Moors

  • Designated: 1952
  • Location: north east England
  • What to see: miles of stunning heather, towering sea cliffs, secluded beaches and grassy dales
  • Current issues: military presence including helicopter training, wildlife protection
  • Places of interest: Whitby, Hutton-le-hole, Robin Hood's Bay, Goathland
  • National Park Authority
  • North Yorkshire Moors Association

Peak District

  • Designated: 1951
  • Location: central England
  • What to see: magnificent expanses of purple heather moors and colourful daleside displays of orchids and cowslips
  • Current issues: renewable energy, telecommunication masts, quarrying, new roads
  • Places of interest: Langsett, Hope Valley and Dovedale
  • National Park Authority
  • Friends of the Peak District 

Yorkshire Dales

  • Designated: 1954
  • Location: north England
  • What to see: Limestone pavement, heather moorland and hay meadows
  • Current issues: public transport, affordable housing, light pollution
  • Places of interest: Hardraw Force waterfall, The Howgills, Swaledale
  • National Park Authority
  • Yorkshire Dales Society

 

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