- Distance or area: 2176 sq km
- Type: National Park
- Location: Wales
Hikers have a network of challenging mountain walks to try, which include six footpaths up Snowdon to feast on the stunning views from the summit. The paths can be testing and so more suited to experienced walkers. Those looking for something less tricky than a mountain climb are well served by the various treks through the hills of Snowdonia.
More information:www.snowdonia-npa.gov.uk
- Distance or area: 620 sq km
- Type: National Park
- Location: Wales
Pembrokeshire Coast National park is Britain's only truly coastal national park.
More information:www.pembrokeshirecoast.org.uk
- Distance or area: 1437 sq km
- Type: National Park
- Location: East Midlands
This national park has an illustrious CV. It was chosen as the country’s first national park, is home to the first ever long distance path and the moorland plateau that symbolised the access struggled in the 1930s. It is also the second most visited national park in the world.
More information:www.peakdistrict.gov.uk
- Distance or area: 1624 sq km
- Type: National Park
- Location: South East England
In 2011, the most populated corner of Britain finally got the recreational refuge it was desperate for. The South Downs is the most visited of all the national parks, with 39 million visitors per year. Walkers are well served by the 100-mile South Downs Way, woodlands, countryside, coast and an impressive 3,000 kilometres of rights of way.
More information:www.southdowns.gov.uk
- Distance or area: 2292 sq km
- Type: National Park
- Location: North West England
There has long been a fascination with this place. Alfred Wainwright made the Lakes his life’s work, writing seven guidebooks in which he created beautiful pen and ink sketches, maps and descriptions and we haven’t stopped eulogising about it since. And with good reason. It is justifiably famous for the interplay between its mountains and water, not forgetting its high fells, rocky crags and lush dales.
More information:www.lakedistrict.gov.uk