Britain's National Parks: The Countrygoer Guide

National Parks

Lo-Carbon ways to explore Britain's National Parks and special landscape areas. Take advantage of travelling light!

Treasured Landscapes

National Parks in Britain differ from most European and North American National Parks in that they are not strict reserves, but areas of protected landscape (which may contain some strictly protected areas such as National Nature Reserves). Not only are there extensive agriculture and forestry, but also sometimes quite large residential areas, tourist resorts and even extractive industry such as quarries - creating conflict in terms of visual blight, noise and industrial traffic.

They are essential cultural landscapes, where the interaction between man and nature has, over many centuries, and indeed sometimes millennia, created a distinct countryside, often rich in archaeological and historical features. National Park Authorities have a duty to conserve and protect these landscapes - but also to promote their enjoyment and understanding by the public.

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