BRITS BITS: 10 National Parks for families

  • Published
  • By Gina Randall
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  The British Isles are relatively small islands. However, they contain a diverse landscape and are home to many national parks where Service members can enjoy a relaxing break with their family. With the unpredictable U.K. weather, the summer is the best time to get out and explore. The parks often have a wide variety of wildlife native to the British Isles so American children are able to learn as they enjoy an outing in their new home.

There are 15 national parks; here we look at the ones closest to RAF Mildenhall.

1. Norfolk Broads. This is the closest national park to RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath. The park is made up of rivers and lakes, allowing visitors the chance to explore by hiring a boat.

For more information, visit www.norfolkbroads.com/

2. South Downs, West Sussex. This national park combines beautiful landscapes with towns and villages and offers visitors many things to see and do. One of these sights is the ancient cathedral of Winchester. The working communities are steeped in history and traditional English culture.

For more information, visit www.southdowns.gov.uk/

3. New Forest, Hampshire. Home to famous New Forest ponies, they roam the ancient woodland, rivers and valleys, coastal mudflats and open heather-covered heaths. They're also found wandering the streets of the pretty, historic villages. The area is steeped in history. William the Conqueror set aside the forest for hunting more than 900 years ago.

For more information, visit www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/

4. Peak District, Derbyshire. There are many historic houses and grounds for visitors to tour including Chatsworth, Lyme Park and Gardens and Haddon Hall. For the thrill-seeking family, there is the theme park of Alton Towers and quad-biking. Many filmmakers used the Peak District as a setting for their films, including Derwent Valley as the testing ground for the famous bouncing bomb and setting for the British World War II movie, "The Dam Busters."

For more information, visit www.visitpeakdistrict.com/

5. Brecon Beacons, Wales. This park offers many activities from mountain-biking trails to limestone cave walking. Visitors can enjoy canyoning in waterfall country, fishing on the River Usk, enjoy some of the U.K.'s darkest skies with stargazing, as well as other activities including gliding and pony trekking.

For more information, visit www.visitwales.com/explore/national-parks/brecon-beacons

6. Exmoor, Somerset. This 267-square-mile park is made up of plunging cliffs, deep valleys, waterfalls, sheltered bays and heather-clad moorlands. Exmoor ponies and wild red deer roam this area of outstanding natural beauty. Visit the Exmoor Pony Center to learn more about them. For those wanting a city break, Bristol is nearby.

For more information, visit www.visitsomerset.co.uk/explore-somerset/exmoor-national-park-p500473

7. North York Moors, Yorkshire. There are ancient abbeys, castles and priories, as well as picturesque villages in this national park in northern England. The Moors Center in Danby is a place where children can learn navigational skills in the Captain Cook Schoolroom Museum. Both children and adults may enjoy a visit to Thirsk and Catterick Racecourses.

For more information, visit www.yorkshire.com/places/north-york-moors/north-york-moors-national-park

8. Snowdonia, Wales. This 823-square-mile park boasts the highest mountain in England and Wales as well as the largest lake in Wales. Adventure seeking visitors can climb the mountains and cycle the paths to test or improve their fitness levels. Visitors may be able to brush up on their language skills as more than half its population speaks Welsh.

For more information, visit www.eryri-npa.gov.uk/home

9. Yorkshire Dales, Yorkshire. This is an outdoor enthusiast's haven with 31 km of byways, 625 of bridleways and 1,458 of footpaths to discover. Visitors can see wildlife and historic trees, walk along the unique limestone pavement at the top of the 80-meter-high Malham Cove and go to the Dales Countryside Museum in Hawes to learn about the generations of people who made the Dales home.

For more information, visit www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/

10. Pembrokeshire Coast, Wales. This is Britain's only coastal national park. The footpaths in this national park also provide access to moorland, hills, waterways and wooded valleys. One of the trails is the Pembrokeshire Coast Path which covers 186 miles of coastal scenery. This trail displays coastal flowers and bird life.

For more information, visit www.pembrokeshirecoast.org.uk/?PID=87

It's important to follow the rules of the land to protect those working and living in the parks. Additionally stay safe by checking the weather forecast, bring plenty of drinking water, wear comfortable walking boots, carry a fully charged cellphone, travel in groups and let others know your plans.

For more details on national parks, visit www.nationalparks.gov.uk/

No federal endorsement implied for any of the events or places listed.