Top 5: British national parks
You might be able to name all 15 of our national parks — but how many have you actually explored?
01 Loch Lomond and the Trossachs
The Lake District usually tops polls as our favourite national park, but for stunning lake landscapes, mountain views, hillwalking, climbing and boating, there's nowhere like this Scottish haven that's home to 22 lochs and 21 Munros.
02 Norfolk Broads
Tiny villages, half-timbered pubs and old windmills flank the 124-mile Norfolk Broads, a network of wetlands and waterways. Once a transport hub for textiles, it's now a watery playground for tourists.
03 Pembrokeshire Coast
It takes a couple of weeks to complete the full walk along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, whose ascents and descents are said to be the equivalent of climbing Mount Everest. Alternatively, laze on white sand beaches and try some dolphin-spotting.
04 New Forest
Along with the much-loved free-roaming ponies, this former royal hunting forest is home to 1,000-year-old trees, biking trails and a wild, marshy coastline. It's also become something of a hub for locavore foodies.
05 North York Moors
Bluebells and daffodils are the seasonal draw to these moors, but year-round you'll find heritage steam railways, heather-carpeted dales, tiered waterfalls and picturesque villages to explore.
nationalparks.gov.uk
Published in the May 2016 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK)
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