Saturday April 6th marked the start of Discover National Parks Fortnight – a two-week celebration across the UK with events and experiences running throughout the Easter holidays to inspire people of all ages and interests to go outside and explore.
There are 15 National Parks in the UK, spanning the length and breadth of the country. 10 in England, three in Wales and two in Scotland. National Parks protect almost 10 percent of England, 20 percent of Wales and 8 percent of Scotland.
This year’s celebration marks the 70th Anniversary of the 1949 National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act that paved the way for the establishment of National Parks in the UK.
John Packman, Chief Executive of the Broads Authority which looks after the Broads National Park, said: “The fifteen National Parks were created to protect and care for special landscapes across the UK, and to do this on behalf of everyone in the country. So the 70th Anniversary is a perfect moment for us to encourage people – whether they live in a National Park or in the middle of a city – to discover the extraordinary variety and inspiring stories of the fifteen National Parks.
“The news is full of stories about how important it is for our physical and mental health to spend time in nature, especially with the spiralling effects of social media and digital technology on the pace of life. National Parks offer some of the best places in the country to switch off, to experience and connect with our landscape, our wildlife, and our friends, our families and ourselves.”
If you find yourself at one of the celebratory events, join in with #NationalParksFortnight2019 and #DiscoverNationalParks. Find out about the wide range of events and activities at nationalparks.uk/discover
