N is for National Parks

The 15 national parks across the UK offer unique landscapes, wildlife, and outdoor activities for visitors. There are 15 National Parks in the UK, and each one has been designated as a protected landscape because of its special qualities.

You will find 10 National Parks in England, three in Wales and two in Scotland. England Parks are Broads, Dartmoor, Exmoor, Lake District, New Forest, Northumberland, North York Moors, Peak District, South Downs and Yorkshire Dales. Wales - Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons), Pembrokeshire Coast, and Eryri (Snowdonia) Scotland - Cairngorms and Loch Lomond & The Trossachs. The unique landscape of our National Parks has been shaped by people just like you and me over thousands of years and provides a rich source of inspiration for visitors. Home to a host of historic sites, castles and monuments - some dating back to the last Ice Age - it's the perfect opportunity to step back in time and explore beautifully preserved structures charting the history of our ancient isles. Whether hiking through smooth glacial carved valleys or relaxing riverside with a picnic, you'll see how water has shaped the surrounding iconic landscape over thousands of years.

The National Parks are a source of high-quality drinking water for millions of people and havens for wildlife. They're also packed with places to learn new skills or to simply be near the water to unwind and feel calmer. Whether it's a gentle pedal on woodland tracks and quiet country lanes, or the heart-pounding challenge of mountain biking in rugged uplands, National Parks have a cycling adventure for everyone. Dales Countryside Museum, Hawes, shares the stories of the people and places of the Yorkshire Dales. We’re free for kids, tickets last all week and with a £10 Annual Pass you can come and enjoy making memories together all year round. Take time out having fun exploring our family friendly galleries, outdoor trail, kids Mini Museum on the railway carriages and hands-on family activities.

Changing exhibitions mean there’s always something new to see. Learn a new skill at one of our creative workshops or experience days. Relax and recharge at our café and browse our Distinctly Dales shop to find a little piece of the Dales to take home.

The museum is an accessible site with backpacks and activities for SEND families and a Changing Places facility. We are a National Park Museum and Visitor Centre, so our welcoming staff will help you find out all you need to know to make your visit to the Museum, Hawes, Wensleydale and the wider Yorkshire Dales a special one. www.dalescountrysidemuseum.org.uk With less light pollution than the rest of the UK, National Parks are an astronomers' delight and offer a wealth of stargazing opportunities for all.

You can find accommodation to suit every budget and taste in the National Parks. There are luxury hotels, cosy rental cottages, traditional family run B&B's and of course the best way to get closest to nature - camping. National Parks Something For Everyone!