The national parks of England and Wales are areas of relatively undeveloped and scenic landscape that are designated under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949. Despite the name, national parks in England and Wales are quite different from those in many other countries, where national parks are owned and managed by the government as a protected community resource, and permanent human communities are not a part of the landscape. In England and Wales, designation as a national park can include substantial settlements and land uses which are often integral parts of the landscape, and land within a national park remains largely in private ownership.

There are currently 12 national parks (Welsh: parciau cenedlaethol) in England and Wales. A further area in England - the South Downs - is in the process of being designated as a national park. Each park is operated by its own National Park Authority, with two "statutory purposes":

1. to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the area, and
2. to promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the park's special qualities by the public.

An estimated 110 million people visit the national parks of England and Wales each year. Recreation and tourism bring visitors and funds into the parks, to sustain their conservation efforts and support the local population through jobs and businesses. These visitors also bring problems, such as erosion and traffic congestion, and conflicts over the use of the parks' resources.

List of National Parks

1. Peak District
2. Lake District
3. Snowdonia
4. Dartmoor
5. Pembrokeshire Coast
6. North York Moors
7. Yorkshire Dales
8. Exmoor
9. Northumberland
10. Brecon Beacons
11. The Broads
12. New Forest
(13). South Downs

The official National Parks web site, click here...

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