Wherever you find yourself in the UK, you’re never far from one of our 15 national parks, be it the verdant valleys of the Lake District, the mighty mountains of the Cairngorms or the captivating coastline of Pembrokeshire.
Wild and dramatic, these landscapes overflow with natural splendour and boast many a vista sure to halt you in your tracks. So, we decided to ask our wonderful followers via our social media channels to share with us some of their favourite national park views that showcase each one in all its bucolic glory.
We’re sure you’ll agree, they’re all magnificent. The question is – which will you visit first? And if you still can’t decide after admiring all these extraordinary photos, click the button below to read our beginner's guide to the UK's national parks for further inspiration.
National parks for beginners
Dartmoor National Park
With a nip in the air and a dusting of glistening snow on the tors and open moorland, Dartmoor in Devon is simply magical in winter. It’s the perfect time to don your cosiest coat, fill a Thermos, and enjoy a frosty stroll through the national park’s mysterious wilderness, where wild ponies graze. This spectacular scene submitted by Ryan has captured one of these beautiful beasts in full gallop; its thick, winter mane flowing in the flurry of snowfall.
Image credit: Ryan Kerr
Guide to the Dartmoor National Park
Exmoor National Park
Ablaze with autumn colour, Exmoor is a picture-postcard national park in the UK to explore. Vicky has perfectly encapsulated this ancient and remote South West landscape, blanketed in a medley of golden browns, warm oranges, and mossy greens. Views that were once veiled by the leaves of spring and summer are now revealed, showcasing wide-open skies where buzzards, kestrels, and sparrowhawks soar.
Image credit: Vicky Freeman
Guide to the Exmoor National Park
Craving some adventure? Then read our guide to some of the top activities in the UK's national parks.
South Downs National Park
Sweeping across Hampshire and East Sussex, the South Downs National Park is a patchwork of rolling green hills, leafy forests, and white, chalky cliffs. The 100-mile South Downs Way, as photographed here by Dominique in spring, traverses the entire national park, and offers walkers, cyclists, and horse riders some of the best views in the country. We love how the flash of the scarlet poppy petals makes a striking contrast against the endless sea of emerald cornfields and bright azure skies.
Image credit: Dominique Dinse
Guide to the South Downs National Park
New Forest National Park
Nestled in the heart of the New Forest National Park, Setley Pond is not only an idyllic haven for wildlife, but this former Victorian gravel pit also plays host to one of the most important sailing events of the year, the Boxing Day Model Yacht Race. While out on a walk on a crisp, winter’s morning, Lottie captured these miniature boats practising laps around the pond, their gleaming sails reflecting in the glassy water.
Image credit: Lottie Kennedy
Guide to the New Forest National Park
Read our guide to 7 wonderful walks in the New Forest National Park for further hiking inspiration.
Brecon Beacons National Park
As autumn cloaks the Brecon Beacons National Park in swirling mists and a rich palette of colour, it’s a great time to pull on those woollies, get outdoors and breathe in the earthy scents of the season. Above, Lindsey has crunched her way through the fallen leaves and up to the conical peak of the Sugar Loaf. Her hike up the bracken-clad shoulders of this iconic Welsh mountain has rewarded her with glorious views across South Wales, the Brecon Beacons, and into South West England.
Image credit: Lindsey Duckett
Guide to the Brecon Beacons National Park
Fancy climbing another summit? Our guide, mountain walks in national parks for an adventure, highlights more wondrous peaks to explore.
Eryri/Snowdonia National Park
Eryri/Snowdonia National Park is synonymous with mountains. After all, it's home to mighty Snowdon/Yr Wyddfa, the highest peak in Wales. These icy summits offer some of the most remarkable viewpoints in the national park, and Spencer has photographed an iconic scene, above. From the lofty pinnacle of Glyder Fach (the sixth highest mountain in Wales), he has captured the frost-shattered spires of Castell y Gwynt, which translates as Castle of the Wind. Rising from the snow-covered ground, like the spines of a dragon’s back, this giant rock formation is a soul-stirring sight.
Image credit: Spencer Hughes
Guide to Eryri/Snowdonia National Park
Discover more epic scenery with our guide to 10 of the best walks in Eryri/Snowdonia National Park.
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
Amidst the twists and turns of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s wind-sculpted coastline, are a multitude of secret coves and bays such as the breathtaking example captured above by Ethan. Presipe Bay near Tenby is a secluded stretch of soft, golden sand backed by fossil-rich red sandstone cliffs. To reach this hidden gem, you will need to descend 162 steep steps during low tide – hence you’re unlikely to find it touched by any footprints other than your own.
Image credit: Ethan Evans
Guide to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
Our guide to Wales' national parks will tell you everything you need to know about these legendary landscapes.
Peak District National Park
Beaming in the warmth of the spring sunshine and enveloped in a resplendent carpet of daffodils, the honey-hued stonework of Chatsworth House is a feast for the eyes. Standing proudly on the banks of the River Derwent, this ancestral seat of the Dukes of Devonshire is indisputably one of the most revered views in the Peak District National Park. Janice has timed this image to perfection, just as the fountain is in its full, magnificent spate.
Image credit: Janice Dyson
Guide to the Peak District National Park
If you fancy a more unique way to see the sights, have a peek at our guide to 6 unusual national park activities.
Lake District National Park
Flanked by some of the Lake District National Park’s most eye-catching fells, Ullswater is a photographer’s dream. This glittering ribbon-shaped body of water is 9 miles long and is often referred to as the most beautiful lake in England. Maisy has sent us this exquisite shot, taken from one of the jetties where the lake’s fleet of Ullswater Steamers stop to pick up those looking for a leisurely, sightseeing cruise.
Image credit: Maisy Elizabeth Jones
Guide to the Lake District National Park
Peruse our guide, national park walks to add to your bucket list, for more picture-postcard places to take your camera.
Norfolk Broads National Park
In the Norfolk Broads National Park, 125 miles of waterways weave their way in every direction, flowing past adorable hamlets, flower-filled meadows, and ancient windmills. As captured above by Mr King, one of the best ways to explore this tranquil wetland is on the water, whether by boat, kayak, canoe, or even stand-up paddleboard. Bounded by lakes, fens and marshes, the national park is a haven for some of Britain's most elusive birds and wildlife, including the country’s largest and rarest butterfly, the swallowtail.
Image credit: G. King
Guide to the Norfolk Broads National Park
Yorkshire Dales National Park
During a gentle stroll near Appletreewick in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, Geoffrey stumbled upon this wonderful view. He was exploring one of the national park’s longest and most sublime valleys, Wharfedale, where extraordinary limestone outcrops, fellside woodland and wildflower meadows are etched with miles and miles of drystone walls and undulating footpaths. This romantic dale abounds with interesting walks and incredible photo opportunities.
Image credit: Geoffrey Dagger
Guide to the Yorkshire Dales National Park
Do you prefer to explore on two wheels? Have a read of our guide to 8 of the best cycling routes in the UK's national parks.
North York Moors National Park
Framed by buttery gorse, this view of Roseberry Topping submitted by Sally, in the North York Moors National Park is awe-inspiring. This distinctive landmark stands at 320 metres high, and its unusual half-cone summit and jagged cliff bear a resemblance to the famed Matterhorn in Switzerland. Countless hikers are drawn to climb its slopes and the vistas from the top are superb: on a clear day you can gaze across the Moors, the Yorkshire Dales, and over Teesdale.
Image credit: Sally Johnston
Guide to the North York Moors National Park
Northumberland National Park
An oasis of wild heather-covered moorland, England’s largest forest and the biggest man-made lake in Northern Europe, Kielder Water and Forest Park is a highlight of the Northumberland National Park. Gillian has snapped this atmospheric image during a chilly winter wander here. Amidst a wide expanse of frost-bitten ground, a mysterious pathway meanders towards the trees in the distance. What lies ahead in this untamed wilderness?
Image credit: Gillian McDonald
Guide to the Northumberland National Park
We’ve found some more top trails in our guide to 15 beautiful Northumberland National Park walks.
Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park
A tantalising taste of the Scottish Highlands, the famous white waters of the Falls of Dochart are some of the most impressive in the whole of the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. Using a slow shutter speed, Stephen has captured the rising misty spray as the falls tumble from above, cascading over large, jagged rocks and roaring down into the River Dochart below. The sun sits low in the sky, its golden rays bursting through the burnished leaves of the forest.
Image credit: Stephen Gedge
Guide to the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park
Cairngorms National Park
Samantha recorded this mesmerising cloud-kissed view of Corrie Fee bathing in the summer sunshine during an adventure along one of the twisting trails at Glen Doll. Found among the Angus Glens in the Cairngorms National Park, this alluring amphitheatre has been sculpted from the rugged mountainsides by a glacier during the Ice Age and is now a National Nature Reserve, home to delicate alpine flowers, rare mountain willows, golden eagles and peregrines.
Image credit: Samantha
Guide to the Cairngorms National Park
Our guide to Scotland's best national parks offers some great tips for your escapades in this mountainous paradise.
Holidays in the UK’s national parks
Whichever national park in the UK you choose to explore, you’re sure to find one of our cosy holiday cottages nearby. Click the button below to browse our full collection of self-catering accommodation for a memorable staycation among the peaks, valleys, rivers and coast of the British Isles, and create your own album of postcard-worthy views.
Holiday cottages in the UK