We believe that Britain’s 15 National Parks offer fantastic walking opportunities and help break down barriers to the outdoors. 

The Ramblers has a long history of campaigning for National Parks, from their establishment in England and Wales in 1949, to the creation of Scotland’s own legislation in 2000.  

Great Britain currently has a diverse range of 15 National Parks, offering walkers everything from high mountain summits and clifftop trails to quaint villages and pristine beaches.  
 
If delivered well, we’re excited about the potential for new National Parks, including the proposals in North-East Wales and Galloway in Scotland.  

 

The popularity of National Parks 

National Parks are hugely popular with walkers and the public, with more than half of people in Great Britain visiting one each year, meaning 104 million annual visits.  

Walking remains the most popular activity, enjoyed by 40% of all visitors.  

The National Park ‘brand’ is recognised internationally so it can help areas attract overseas visitors.                                                                           
Research shows that National Park are much-loved across Great Britain, and that the prospect of creating new ones also has broad support, including among rural communities. 

In fact, 95% of people in Wales and 90% in England consider National Park important to them, and 89% of people in Scotland support the creation of a new one. 

 

National Parks enhance the joy of walking 

Experience shows that Britain’s National Parks can attract more funding than other popular areas that are not designated.  
 
When well-funded and properly managed, we think that they have the potential to: 

• Support paths and promote responsible access 

• Enrich nature and biodiversity 

• Boost rural economies 

• Expand public transport and active travel links 

• Act as examplars for high-quality outdoor recreation 

• Provide facilities for locals and visitors, such as toilets, campsites, and waste disposal, easing pressure on local communities 

They also make an important contribution to the economy. For example, more than 90 million people visit English National Parks annually, contributing £4 billion to the economy.  

Scotland's National Parks generate an economic benefit of more than £700 million each year, 30 times the government funding they receive. And the economic impact of Wales’ National Parks represents 1.2% of the entire Welsh economy.  

 
Breaking down barriers

 In future, we want Britain’s National Parks to play an even more prominent role in opening the way for people from all backgrounds to walk.  

Sadly, access to the outdoors is still unequal, and more work is needed to ensure National Parks are welcoming and accessible to everyone. In fact, Natural England estimates that only 1% of visitors to English National Parks are from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds, despite these groups representing around 14% of the population. 

They can set an example for accessibility, making it easy for all people, especially beginners, to connect with nature. 

Many National Parks are already taking steps to ensure under-represented communities benefit from visiting, and we welcome this progress.  

However, we believe there is much more to be done. We will continue to champion these efforts in the years ahead. 

 
National Trails  

In addition to National Parks, Britain is also home to some of the most scenic walking routes in the world, through National Trails in England and Wales and Scotland’s Great Trails.  

These long-distance paths, such as the Pennine Way and the South West Coast Path, offer stunning views and an immersive experience of the countryside.  
 
The designated trails connect communities, provide access to the outdoors, and support local economies.