ENGLAND North York Moors Peak District
New Forest
A stone’s throw from the busy port city of Southampton, the beautiful New Forest was originally created by William the Conqueror back in 1079 as a royal hunting ground.
This wonderful natural resource is easily accessible for many people in the southern part of England, and is a popular destination for half-term breaks.
And what fun visiting families have, with New Forest ponies roaming free, diverse woodlands providing sanctuary to a wide variety of wildlife and a network of cycling routes across much of the park.
Ancient woods, heathland and coastline combine to create a wildlife-rich landscape, and it’s a perfect place to experience the many benefits of forest bathing.
For more on this park, see p34.
Need to know…
Size 220 square miles
Landscape Woodland
Animal spotting New Forest ponies
Best view Bluebells and Roydon Woods Nature Reserve
Stay at n Black Knowl Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite
› www.caravanclub.co.uk n Denny Wood Campsite
› www.campingintheforest.co.uk n Red Shoot Camping Park
› www.redshoot-campingpark.com
Fell-running, horse-riding, market towns and amazing vistas make the North York Moors a sight to behold – views are sensational at night, too, particularly from the Dalby Forest Dark Sky Discovery Site.
Combining moors, woodland and coast, there’s a lot to enjoy, with open moorland rubbing shoulders with ancient trees. Yes, it may have ‘moors’ in the title, but this is one of the most wooded of England’s National Parks, with 23% woodland cover.
Meanwhile, visitors to the coast can enjoy the cliff path, part of the Cleveland Way National Trail. Rivers are also an important habitat, with populations of otters and water voles – the River Derwent is home to the white-clawed crayfish, the only native species of crayfish in Britain.
Need to know…
Size 554 square miles
Landscape Moors, woodland, coast and dale
Animal spotting Merlin falcons
Best view From Sutton Bank, overlooking the Vale of Mowbray
Stay at n Black Bull Caravan Park
› www.blackbullcaravanpark.com n The Howard, Rosedale
Abbey CAMC Campsite
› www.caravanclub.co.uk n Hutton Le Hole Caravan Park
› huttonleholecaravanpark.co.uk
Back in 1951, this was the first area to be designated a National Park in the UK, its wildlife, landscapes, geology and public demand making it an obvious choice.
Today, these dramatic hills, moors and caves are as alluring and popular as ever. Views abound throughout the park and hikers will head for the moorland plateau at Kinder Scout, the highest point in the whole Peak District.
Potholers, in contrast, will be drawn underground to sites such as Poole’s Cavern in Buxton – the limestone cavern here is one of the finest in England.
Other outdoor activities include climbing, fell-running, watersports and fishing; you could also try one of the gorgewalking or rock-scrambling experiences.
For more on this park, see p30.
Need to know…
Size 555 square miles
Landscape Moors, heath, bog, woods
Animal spotting Mountain hare
Best view From the
Great Ridge towards Mam Tor
Stay at n Beech Croft Farm
Caravan Park & Campsite
› beechcroftfarm.co.uk n Hayfield C&CC Site
› campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk n Pomeroy Caravan & Camping Park › www.pomeroycaravanpark.co.uk
South Downs
There’s a gentle beauty to the rolling hills of the UK’S newest National Park (established in 2010), which ambles easily over the South Downs Way.
This route along the ridgeline of the South Downs stretches from Winchester to the chalk cliffs of the Seven Sisters.
A new park it may be, but this is an ancient landscape, defined by Iron Age forts and impressive beacons at Ditchling and Firle, used centuries ago to warn of invaders from the sea.
Delightful villages dot the landscape and, despite its proximity to major tourist resorts at Brighton and Eastbourne, this is one of only 16 International Dark Sky Reserves. Visitors will revel in the chalk uplands, peaceful home to grazing sheep and delicate butterflies.
Need to know…
Size 628 square miles
Landscape Heathland and hills
Animal spotting Adders
Best view Cuckmere Valley and the Seven Sisters
Stay at n Brighton CAMC Campsite
› www.caravanclub.co.uk n Concierge Camping
› www.conciergecamping.co.uk n Graffham C&CC Site
› campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk
Northumberland
What did the Romans ever do for us? Well, they built the wonderful Hadrian’s Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site within the boundaries of the magnificent Northumberland National Park.
The least populated of the UK’S national parks, this is also home to the largest protected Dark Sky Park in Europe.
About 70% of Northumberland National Park is open moorland and the area is hugely popular with hikers, drawn to the many archaeological sites and the natural beauty of the Cheviot Hills.
Don’t miss The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre, which has exhibitions and a rooftop walk with views of the park. And if you visit the conifer woodlands, look out for native red squirrels – this is one of the few places in the UK where these wonderful animals can still be seen.
Need to know…
Size 410 square miles
Landscape Moorland, hills, meadows
Animal spotting Red squirrels
Best view Linhope Spout waterfall and plunge pool
Stay at n Bellingham C&CC Site
› campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk n Elf Hills Farm Caravan CL
› elfhillsfarm.wordpress.com n Kielder Campsite
› kieldercampsite.co.uk