Peak Escapes: National Parks Worth Considering for Your Trip

Cultural visit

Rolling hills, untamed moorland, glacial lakes, and striking sea cliffs – Britain’s national parks present some of the nation’s most memorable vistas. However, these parks offer more than stunning landscapes. They are vibrant, breathing illustrations of British heritage, culture, and rural life, each showcasing its own distinct character and history.

Whether you are a keen hiker, a photography lover, or simply someone who takes delight in tranquil views and stone-built hamlets, these parks merit being the focus of your entire visit. With Great British Trips, you can explore them on foot, by rail, or from the comfort of a countryside inn – all perfectly integrated into your broader UK travel plans.

 

Lake District National Park, England 

Reason to visit: For mirror-like lakes, rugged fells, Wordsworth’s poetry, and postcard villages

The Lake District is Britain’s most renowned national park and for good reason. With its sombre mountains, reflective lakes, and timeless villages such as Ambleside and Grasmere, it’s a place that stirs the soul. This scenery has inspired writers, painters, and hikers for centuries and continues to serve as a sanctuary for nature lovers.

Highlights:

  • Cruise across Lake Windermere
  • Climb Scafell Pike (the highest peak in England)
  • Visit Beatrix Potter’s Hill Top or Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage
  • Walk along the shores of Derwentwater near Keswick

Ideal for: A romantic getaway, a solo hiking retreat, or a family walking holiday Included in: Our Northern England Discovery and Lake District and North Wales itineraries

Eyri (Snowdonia) National Park, Wales

Reason to visit: For majestic mountain landscapes, steam trains, and ancient Welsh heritage

Snowdonia (Eryri in Welsh) is a landscape brimming with drama and legend. With the towering presence of Mount Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) and a blend of valleys, waterfalls, and slate-built villages, it’s a haven for outdoor adventure and cultural depth. The region is also steeped in myth, with ties to Arthurian tales and Celtic folklore.

Highlights:

  • Ride the Snowdon Mountain Railway
  • Discover Harlech Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Wander through the Italianate village of Portmeirion
  • Hike trails such as Cwm Idwal or the Llanberis Path

Ideal for: Mountain enthusiasts, history aficionados, and those seeking less-trodden paths Included in: Our Wonderful Wales and England & North Wales Highlights tours

Peak District National Park, England 

Reason to visit: For picturesque market towns, rolling green hills, and easy-going walking trails

The Peak District, Britain’s inaugural national park, continues to captivate visitors with its blend of tranquil countryside, limestone dales, and dramatic moorlands. Perfect for those who enjoy walking without the extremes, the region also hosts stately homes, heritage railways, and charming stone villages.

Highlights:

  • Explore Chatsworth House and Gardens
  • Walk the Monsal Trail or around Ladybower Reservoir
  • Visit Bakewell (home of the Bakewell tart) and Castleton’s show caves
  • Ride a steam train through the Derbyshire Dales

Ideal for: Gentle walkers, cultural explorers, and gastronomes Easily incorporated into: Our Heart of England Tour

Yorkshire Dales National Park, England 

Reason to visit: For dry stone walls, striking valleys, wildflower meadows, and cosy pubs

The Yorkshire Dales epitomises rural England in its purest form – envision sheep-dotted hillsides, babbling brooks, and ancient stone villages. The landscape, with its perfect blend of scenic beauty and traditional farming life, is especially rewarding for walkers, offering picturesque routes in every direction.

Highlights:

  • Hike Malham Cove, Gordale Scar, and Janet’s Foss
  • Visit Bolton Abbey and the ruins of Jervaulx Abbey
  • Savour Wensleydale cheese at the source in Hawes
  • Bask in the views from Buttertubs Pass or Ribblehead Viaduct

Ideal for: Walkers, countryside photographers, and fans of slow travel Included in: Our Yorkshire and Northumberland Highlights route

Cairngorms National Park, Scotland 

Reason to visit: For towering Highland peaks, ancient forests, and whisky-rich towns

The Cairngorms, the UK’s largest national park, conveys a sense of wilderness like nowhere else in Britain. Here, vast pine forests, snow-capped mountains, and Highland lochs create an impression of scale and solitude. Yet, it remains accessible, with welcoming towns like Aviemore and Ballater providing pleasant bases for exploration.

Highlights:

  • Spot red squirrels and golden eagles in Rothiemurchus Forest
  • Visit Balmoral Castle, the Royal Family’s Scottish residence
  • Ride the Strathspey Steam Railway
  • Tour local whisky distilleries in the Speyside region

Ideal for: Wildlife enthusiasts, landscape admirers, and whisky connoisseurs Included in: Our Scotland 10-Day Explorer tour

Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog), Wales 

Reason to visit: For open hilltops, medieval market towns, and Dark Sky stargazing

Recently renamed in Welsh as Bannau Brycheiniog, this national park combines rugged ridgelines with lush valleys and moorland. Its accessible trails and dramatic vistas make it one of the UK’s most underrated walking destinations. It’s also among the best places in the UK for stargazing, given its official Dark Sky Reserve status.

Highlights:

  • Ascend Pen y Fan, the highest peak in South Wales
  • Explore the cathedral town of Brecon
  • Discover Carreg Cennen Castle perched on a limestone cliff
  • Stargaze on clear nights from Usk Reservoir

Ideal for: Weekend hikers, amateur astronomers, and lovers of open spaces Included in: Our Southern Wales and Borders itineraries

Northumberland National Park, England 

Reason to visit: For Hadrian’s Wall, vast skies, and rugged solitude

Northumberland is often overlooked – but for those who venture there, it offers one of the UK’s most serene and atmospheric national parks. Home to ancient Roman ruins, heather-covered moors, and expansive, dark skies, it’s a landscape that invites exploration sans crowds.

Highlights:

  • Walk along stretches of Hadrian’s Wall
  • Visit the Roman forts of Vindolanda and Housesteads
  • Stargaze at Kielder Observatory
  • Embrace the wide-open silence of the Cheviot Hills

Ideal for: History enthusiasts, peace seekers, and off-the-beaten-path explorers Featured in: Our Northern England Highlights Tour

Why Centre Your Trip Around a National Park? 

Each of Britain’s national parks offers more than just natural beauty – these are windows into the country’s cultural and historical essence. From sheep farms and ruined abbeys to lochside castles and coastal caves, these landscapes are teeming with stories waiting to be uncovered.

With Great British Trips, you can craft an itinerary that places national parks at the heart of your holiday. Whether your aim is to hike Snowdon, sail Windermere, or sip whisky in a Highland village, we simplify the process of building your trip around Britain’s most stunning wild places.

Explore our UK national park tours and begin planning your adventure into Britain’s great outdoors.

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