A new chapter for National Parks and Landscapes in Parliament

Published: 12 December 2025

We’re really pleased to share some fantastic news: a brand-new National Parks and National Landscapes All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) has been created in Westminster, and Campaign for National Parks is playing a key role as its secretariat. 

This has been one of our major ambitions since the start of the new Parliament, and it’s brilliant to see it finally up and running. 

So, what exactly is an APPG?

An APPG is an informal, cross-party group of MPs and members of the House of Lords who come together because they share an interest in a particular issue. APPGs don’t make laws, but they do play an important role: they raise awareness, bring people together, and influence government thinking. 

The new National Parks and National Landscapes APPG will champion the protection, improvement and sustainable enjoyment of England and Wales’s most cherished wild places. It will give MPs and Peers a space to work across party lines, explore what’s working (and what isn’t), and push for better policies and legislation so that protected landscapes can thrive long into the future. 

Building on the past, but with fresh ambition

Some may remember that there was a National Parks APPG in the last Parliament. This new group builds on that legacy, but it’s also a step forward. For the first time, the APPG brings together National Parks and National Landscapes, recognising the importance of championing all protected landscapes as part of a single, joined-up network. This bigger tent allows the APPG to bring in more supporters, champion more voices, and attract greater political backing.  

A strong start

The AGM in October set a positive tone, with 30 MPs and Peers from across the parties attending. Barry Gardiner MP was elected Chair, and Baroness Caroline Bakewell, Andrew Griffith MP and Sir Desmond Swayne MP were elected as officers. 

This was followed by a well-attended roundtable this week featuring on-the-ground perspectives from across the protected landscapes. Speakers included the Dartmoor Preservation Association (a member of CNP’s Council), the Co-Director of the High Weald National Landscape, alongside Campaign for National Parks, delivery bodies and other partners. Their insights highlighted both the opportunities and the urgent challenges facing National Parks and National Landscapes as they work to accelerate nature recovery, respond to climate change and improve access for all. 

With such strong early engagement, we’re excited to build momentum into 2026. 

What’s next for 2026? 

In the year ahead, we’re focused on establishing the APPG as a highly respected voice in Parliament on issues affecting National Parks and National Landscapes. 

We’ll be developing and promoting a shared parliamentary agenda centred on nature recovery, climate action, thriving rural economies, health and wellbeing, and inclusive access. We’ll also be engaging closely with Ministers and hosting parliamentary events and dinners to deepen discussion around key issues. 

A major priority will be supporting the UK Government’s commitment to update the 1949 National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act, a once-in-a-generation chance to modernise the purposes and governance of these landscapes. 

We are especially keen for the APPG to actively collaborate with the entire sector. This includes our core partners, National Parks England, the National Landscapes Association and CPRE, as well as National Trails, major environmental and land management NGOs, CNP Council members, youth and access organisations, and government bodies. Strong collaboration will be essential if we’re to secure lasting change. 

We’ll also be creating opportunities for MPs and peers to experience these landscapes first-hand, with visits planned for spring and summer 2026, and supporting evidence-based policymaking through briefings and expert engagement. 

We are also keen to partner with other APPGs, building connections across Parliament to strengthen advocacy, share expertise, and support shared goals. 

Help us grow the APPG

We want this APPG to be as strong and representative as possible, and that means getting more MPs involved. If you’d like to encourage your MP to join, we can help you write to them. 

Just get in touch with Nick Hall at [email protected].