The UK's Best National Parks for Outdoor Lovers

As Brits, we’re often quick to point out the downsides of living in the UK. It's almost always about the cold and wet weather, but we also complain about the heat in the summer! But not everyone dislikes the country’s variable and inconsistent climate. If you're someone who loves the outdoors, the UK weather offers the perfect conditions for outdoor activities. Although it can be unpredictable, there’s certainly a good variety of different conditions, offering everything from sunny skies to snow-covered landscapes. Once the conditions are confirmed, you can start to think about which of the UK’s national parks to visit. The best thing about the UK’s national parks and scenic landscapes is that each one offers something entirely different to the next, so it’s worth exploring as many as you can. Here are the UK’s best national parks for outdoor lovers.

Northumberland National Park

If you live in the north of the country - or if you’re an outdoor enthusiast travelling from the south - Northumberland's national park is the perfect outdoor destination to visit. Its size is particularly impressive as it stretches all the way from the Scottish border down to Hadrian's Wall. The Northumberland National Park is popular with residents of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne as it sits only an hour’s drive from the city’s centre. Within the 1,050-square-kilometre park, there are three distinct areas that thousands of hikers from across the country visit every year. Kielder Forest, located towards the west of the park, is one of the largest woodlands in the country, perfect for hikers spending a few days in the park. Kielder Forest also has a brand-new mountain bike trail designed for intermediate riders, who can enjoy the twists and turns of its 650-metre off-road course. Hikers choose Northumberland’s national park for its isolated and picturesque location, which rarely attracts disruptive and busy crowds - even during the warmer months.

The Lake District

When you think of the UK’s famous national parks, the Lake District often springs to mind first. The Lake District is popular for some of the highest peaks in the UK, including Scafell Pike at 978m high and Helvellyn at 950m. The Lake District is a good choice for new walkers and hikers because it's easy to reach from a number of major cities and areas in the north of the country. For example, from Manchester you can get to The Lake District National Park in just under an hour and a half by car. The park is particularly close to Lancaster and Carlisle. The national park is home to 16 glacial lakes, popular for fishing and outdoor watersports activities like canoeing and kayaking, making it an appropriate outdoor destination to visit during the summer. The Lake District National Park is popular among walkers and ramblers because they can easily stay in a nearby lodge or Airbnb and experience the tranquillity and cosy pubs of the wider Lake District county. The park is also appreciated and visited by wildlife enthusiasts as its woodlands are home to a wonderfully ancient but diverse ecosystem, and it is also one of the few places in England where you can spot the native red squirrel. Some explorers visit the park to experience and understand its rich literary legacy, which has inspired famous writers like William Wordsworth and Arthur Ransome.

Snowdonia  

Snowdonia National Park can be found in the North West Region of Wales and spans 823 square miles of the country’s west coast. The park features one of the highest peaks in Wales, known as Mount Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa in Welsh), and has become popular amongst hikers who are determined to face the challenging hike to reach its summit. Walkers who visit the park typically begin in the village of Llanberis and weave their way to the top of Mount Snowdon, passing miles of dense forest and beautiful waterfalls along the way. Snowdonia offers a landscape unlike any other national park in the UK, as it is home to historic coastal towns like Barmouth, which hikers can pass when travelling along the western and southern edges of the park's outskirts. Snowdonia attracts walkers of all levels and abilities because, although it is renowned for its advanced route to Mount Snowdon, the park also offers a variety of shorter and easier routes for beginners. What’s more is that the park is home to a number of perfectly located, quality coffee shops and cafes managed by members of Snowdonia's welcoming community. If you’re planning on camping during your hiking adventures, Snowdonia is well-known for its serene camping destinations where you can expect to be undisturbed in its vast wilderness. Finally, Snowdonia is the perfect way to take advantage of your British citizenship and is the perfect location for thrill-seekers who are looking to make the most of their time in the park. It features the world’s fastest zip wire and a 1km-long roller coaster through the park's towering forests, which is both terrifying and amazing (I can tell you that firsthand). You'll never run out of things to discover in Snowdonia National Park.