About us

One big family

The UK’s 14 National Parks are part of a global family of 6,555 protected areas, covering one million square kilometres or 12% of the Earth’s surface. We are linked to Europe through the EUROPARC Federation – a network of European protected areas with 360 member organisations in 37 countries.

There are 9 National Parks in England, 3 in Wales and 2 in Scotland, they are:

• England -  Dartmoor, Exmoor, Lake District, New Forest, Northumberland, North York Moors, Peak District, the Yorkshire Dales and the Broads which has equivalent status to a National Park.
• Wales - Brecon Beacons, Pembrokeshire Coast and Snowdonia
• Scotland - Cairngorms and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs.

Learning about the National Parks

The Learning about section tells the history of the National Parks, as well as facts and figures, maps, and FAQs

Not ours - but ours to look after

Each UK National Park is administered by its own National Park Authority. They are independent bodies funded by central government to:

• conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage; and
• promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of National Parks by the public.

If there’s a conflict between these two purposes, conservation takes priority. In carrying out these aims, National Park Authorities are also required to seek to foster the economic and social well-being of local communities within the National Park.

The Broads Authority has a third purpose, protecting the interests of navigation, and under the Broads Act 1988 all three purposes have equal priority.

The Scottish National Parks' objectives are to also promote the sustainable use of natural resources, the sustainable economic and social development of local communities and more of a focus on recreation.

Elected members and staff

Each National Park Authority has a number of unpaid elected members, appointed by the Secretary of State, local councils and parish councils. The role of members is to provide leadership, scrutiny and direction for the National Park Authority.

There are also a number of paid staff who carry out the work necessary to run the National Park. Our working for us section shows the diverse types of jobs National Park staff do, from rangers and ecologists to planners and education teams.

The Association of National Park Authorities

UK ANPA brings together the 14 National Park Authorities of England, Scotland and Wales to raise their profile of the National Parks and to promote joint working. Country associations for the English and Welsh National Parks represent the National Park Authorities to English and Welsh governements.

Fnid out about UK ANPA and the country associations

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