National Park

Named for the mountain Cairn Gorm, the Cairngorm National Park in North East Scotland was established in 2003 and is Britain’s largest.  Twice as big as the Lake District, it covers a diverse area of 1748 square miles (4,528 sq kilometres), which includes spectacular landscapes, wild mountains, moorland, forests, rivers and farmland.  There are 43 mountains over 3000 feet (914 metres); the highest point is Ben Macdui at 4294 feet (1309 metres).  So, this is challenging walking and climbing territory – and remote.  The forests are part of the ancient Caledonian Forest that covered much of northern Scotland thousands of years ago.  The Park is also home to some of Britain’s rarest animals, including the golden eagle, red squirrel and Scottish wildcat.

All of Scotland’s traditional wild creatures can be seen at the amazing Highland Wildlife Park and there’s a herd of reindeer that can be visited on the slopes of Cairngorm.  The Cairngorm National Park experiences some of Britain’s coldest weather.  It is one of the few places in Britain to offer the prospect of skiing on real snow – Aviemore being a favourite destination for this.  You can also bungee-jump and play golf (but not at the same time).

There are castles and country estates, like Blair Castle and Balmoral, one of the Royal Family’s favourite homes (parts of the Balmoral Estate are open to the public at specified times, but not during the summer).  The National Park has at least 6 whisky distilleries within its boundaries – and while you’re about it, why not attend one of the several Highland Games held at places like Braemar or Tomintoul.

Principal settlements in the Cairngorm National Park include: Aviemore, Ballater, Braemar, Grantown-on-Spey, Kingussie, Newtonmore, and Tomintoul.

The New Forest offers chocolate-box scenery - 220 square miles of open heath and woodland where ponies, cattle and pigs roam freely, punctuated by the occasional attractive town and village. It's an ancient royal hunting forest, created in the 11th century by William the Conqueror - his 'Nova Foresta' - at the expense of its inhabitants.  These days, it's a place for walking, cycling, horse riding - or just relaxing.

Hampshire’s New Forest covers an area of 220 square miles (570 square kilometres) and the National Park was established 2005.  The highest point is Telegraph Hill at just under 460 feet (140 metres).

There is nothing harsh about the New Forest; it is, simply, lovely.  Attractive towns, chocolate-box villages and a maritime heritage add to the mix.  The National Motor Museum is at Beaulieu and there’s a particularly lovely garden at Exbury.

The New Forest is adjacent to some of the most populous parts of the south coast of England, such as Southampton and Bournmouth.  Principal settlements within the New Forest are Lyndhurst and Brockenhurst.

Snowdonia National Park in North Wales was one of Britain’s first, established in 1951.  It is a place of mountains, covering 840 square miles (2176 square kilometres). Snowdonia is known as Eryri in Welsh, a name that can be translated as “the place of the eagles”.  There are actually nine mountain ranges, caves, lakes, rivers and forests.  Like other National Parks in Britain, this is serious walking and climbing country and needs to be treated with respect.

The area is stacked with historic sites as well as world-famous places like the gardens at Bodnant and Sir Clough Williams-Ellis’ fantasy village, Portmeirion.  Snowdonia National Park also boasts no fewer than seven narrow-gauge railways: the Ffestiniog, Welsh Highland, Llyn Padarn, Talyllyn, Bala Lake, Fairbourne and, finally, the Snowdon Mountain Railway which will take you almost to the summit of Britain’s second highest mountain, Snowdon, at 3560 feet (1085 metres).

The principal settlements in Snowdonia National Park are Aberdyfi, Dolgellau, Trawsfynydd and Beddgelert.

The picture is of Castell-y-Gwynt (Castle of the Winds) a rock formation near the summit of Glyder Fach.

Firle Beacon is a prominent 712 foot (217m) high hill on the South Downs, overlooking Newhaven/Seaford. It is also the name given to the largest of several round barrows, dating from the late Neolithic period to the late Bronze Age (approx 2400-1500 BC). There are other prehistoric remains nearby, including a long barrow. Firle Beacon round barrow was excavated in 1820 and among the find was a burial, two cremations, a bronze pin, cup and arrowhead. The barrow was used as a signalling beacon, possibly at the time of the Armada, but certainly during the Napoleonic Wars. Legend is that a giant that once lived on Firle Hill slew a giant that lived on Windover Hill and the Long Man of Wilmington is the outline of where he fell.
There are spectacular views in all directions from the top of Firle Beacon, which includes a section of the South Down Way. The Beacon is accessible from car parks either side or via a rewarding circular walk from the village of Firle.

Dartmoor is a place for walkers, geologists, history enthusiasts, campers – or anyone who likes being outside.  It is a sometimes mysterious, sometimes beautiful, sometimes harsh landscape, an upland area of granite heather-covered moorland.  Its most famous natural features are its tors - classic examples of exposed intrusive vulcanicity.  It also boasts wild ponies and an extraordinary number of prehistoric remains – standing stones, stone circles, rows and settlements – such as those at Grimspound and Hound Tor.  Remote Wistman’s Wood is a frankly weird oakwood, with stunted trees growing on a moss-covered landscape.  There are pretty villages too, such as Lustleigh, Widecombe in the Moor and Postbridge (with its 13th century clapper bridge).  Parts of Dartmoor are used by the armed forces for training, but there’s plenty of room for everyone else.

Dartmoor National Park in Devon was established in 1951 and covers an area of 368 square miles (953 sq kilometres).  It is an upland area of granite heather-covered moorland, completely land-locked, famous for its tors - classic examples of exposed intrusive vulcanicity.

Principal settlements in Dartmoor National Park include: Ashburton, Bovey Tracey, Buckfastleigh, Chagford and Moretonhampstead.