10 Best UK National Parks for Families (From A Local)

There’s a lot more to the UK than London and fish and chips; it may surprise you that Britain is home to some of the most beautiful national parks you’ll find anywhere. So which are the best ones for families to visit? 

From the stunning rolling hills of the Yorkshire Dales to rugged coastal parks such as the Pembrokeshire coast, there are a lot of options to choose from.

We asked UK travel blogger MJ of MJ Travel Guides to curate a list of the 10 best UK national parks for families to help you decide which to explore, when is the best time to visit, and more. 

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10 Best UK National Parks for Families

As a British native (I live in central England near the second city, Birmingham), I’ve been fortunate enough to visit some of the best national parks in the UK. 

Most tourists only ever visit London when coming to the UK, which is a crying shame as the country has some of the best national parks in Western Europe. There are 15 national parks in total in the UK which feature diverse nature and plenty of things to do for families. 

If you’re a nature lover and looking for adventure for you and your family when visiting the UK, then you’re in luck! Let’s examine what are the best UK national parks for families.

1. Lake District National Park (England)

The Lake District is easily the most popular national park in the UK and my personal favourite as well. Based in the north of England in the county of Cumbria, it is renowned for having the most incredibly stunning scenery in the land. 

I can definitely attest to that being true; I have visited the Lake District on several occasions and each time I am absolutely floored by the beautiful scenery. 

From the pristine lakes, rugged mountains, and beautiful market towns and villages, this region offers the very best of nature in the UK. 

As Lake District National Park is a large region covering over 2,000 square kilometres and four major towns, it’s not easy to choose which area to stay in, especially if you’re limited on time. 

The most popular places in the Lake District are Windermere (which has the largest lake in the UK), Keswick (which is a lovely market town), Ambleside, and Bowness-on-Windermere. 

My favourite place to visit in the Lake District is Keswick. It’s a delightfully quaint village with plenty of hiking options nearby and it is the perfect place for families.

There are plenty of activities for young families in the Lake District, such as visiting the “World of Beatrix Potter” in Windermere, as well as various wildlife parks, treasure trails, and fascinating castles.  

2. Snowdonia National Park (Wales)

Also known as Eryri National Park, Snowdonia is Wales’ biggest national park and also has the second-highest mountain in the UK, Snowdon (Ben Nevis in Scotland is the highest). 

There are numerous trails and over 100 lakes here in total, so if you’re looking for the perfect hiking vacation then you should give serious consideration to Snowdonia. 

For families visiting the region, places of interest include the National Slate Museum and the Snowdon Mountain Railway, which is a fantastic adventure for youngsters and a great way to reach the summit of Snowdon without having to do all the exhausting walking. 

3. Yorkshire Dales National Park (England)

Yorkshire Dales National Park has a reputation for being the prettiest part of England, and it’s hard to disagree. Featuring lovely quaint villages, limestone cliffs, waterfalls, valleys, and hills, the views here are of immense beauty. 

The park is home to the Yorkshire three peaks (the mountains of Whernside, Ingleborough, and Pen-y-ghent) and it’s a popular challenge to hike all three peaks in a 38-kilometre round trip. 

If that sounds a bit too strenuous for your liking, especially with kids, then I would suggest checking out some of the pretty villages in this region. Malham is one of the most popular villages here, while Kirby Lonsdale is a delightful market town. 

You are simply spoilt for choice when it comes to scenic places in the Yorkshire Dales and it remains a popular destination for families. 

4. Peak District National Park (England)

Located in central England, Peak District National Park offers more unique beauty as well as fascinating history. 

The park is home to one of the UK’s most famous and well-loved country houses, Chatsworth House, which features a farmyard and playground that young kids will love. 

Other popular destinations in the Peak District include Dovedale which features amazing limestone ravines, Kinder Scout which is the park’s highest peak, and Mam Tor, which is one of the most popular walks in the area and has some of the most iconic views. 

Less popular than the Lake District, this is a good alternative if you’re looking for a quiet destination where you won’t be disturbed by too many visitors. 

5. South Downs National Park (England)

South Downs National Park in East Sussex on the south coast of England is the country’s newest national park, having been designated in 2010. However, it does offer some of the most stunning scenery in the whole of the UK. 

It is located close to Brighton, which is less than an hour south of London and one of the country’s most popular coastal cities.

As someone who used to live in Brighton for several years, I have been fortunate enough to visit the South Downs on multiple occasions and can indeed confirm that it is well worth a visit. 

The highlight of the South Downs is undoubtedly the Seven Sisters, which are a series of magnificent chalky sea cliffs and attracts visitors from all over the world each year. 

6. Cairngorms National Park (Scotland) 

The Scottish Highlands is often called the most beautiful scenic area in the world, and it is home to the UK’s largest national park, the Cairngorms. 

I’ve been fortunate enough to have visited the Cairngorms on car rides a couple of times and can confirm that I have never witnessed such beautiful scenery and landscapes anywhere else. 

The park covers the Cairngorm mountains and surrounding hills, and there are plenty of activities to do here, such as hiking trails, watersports, wildlife watching, and more. 

If visiting this part of the world with a family, then I would recommend hiring a camper van and spending a few days driving around to really appreciate the awesome views on show. 

Another fantastic thing to do with families is to visit the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre. During parts of the year, you can hike out to visit the herd, pet and feed them, and learn all about the amazing animals and their history in Scotland.

7. Brecon Beacons National Park (Wales) 

Brecon Beacon National Park in Wales is home to a famous mountain range that is definitely worth visiting. The mountain range consists of six main peaks, with the highest peak, Pen y Fan, being 886 metres high. 

The views of the mountains are absolutely breathtaking and the good news is that the park has its own railway line, the Brecon Mountain Railway, which would make for a great day out for families.

The park features Wales’ largest natural lake, Llangorse Lake, as well. 

8. Exmoor National Park (England)

Exmoor National Park on the north coast of Devon in England is one of the least visited national parks in the UK, despite being one of the most populated areas in the country. 

This makes it the perfect destination if you want a peaceful, tranquil hiking holiday for you and your family with not too many tourists. Exmoor is also one of the smallest UK national parks, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in sheer beauty. 

Exmoor is a wonderful national park, full of amazing coastline views, woodland trails, and more. The most beautiful area of Exmoor is undoubtedly the Valley of the Rocks, where you can go on a circular trail up large rock formations to enjoy spectacular sea views. 

Dunster Castle in Exmoor is worth a visit too and Exmoor Zoo would make for a perfect day out for the family. Exmoor is well connected to Devon and Somerset, so you could visit these popular tourist areas during your trip.  

9. Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park (Scotland)

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs is another beautiful national park in Scotland.

It is less than an hour’s drive away from Glasgow which makes a visit here the perfect day trip from the city. This park is full of diverse nature, from rugged mountains, forests, multiple lochs, and plenty more. 

There are lots of beautiful small villages to visit, historical sites such as Rob Roy’s gravestone, and for families there is a fantastic National Sea Life Centre nearby too. 

The actual Loch Lomond is the UK’s largest lake (by surface area) and taking a boat trip on the lake is a great option. There are many islands to explore here and amazing hikes, such as hiking up Ben Lomond or the Arrochar Alps. 

10. Pembrokeshire Coast National Park (Wales)

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park in southwest Wales stretches almost 300 kilometres along the coastline and is the ideal option if you’re looking for scenic beaches, coves, and cliffs on your vacation. 

The stunning coastal views on show here are worth the trip alone, and there are some lovely towns along the way to stop off at, such as Tenby, which many people claim to be the most popular seaside town in Wales. 

Whether you want to relax on beautiful beaches or take part in more adventurous activities, you should consider a visit to Pembrokeshire. 

UK National Parks FAQs

What is the most visited national park in the UK?

The Lake District is the most visited national park in the UK, drawing over 16 million visitors per year. This can be off-putting for some people, especially if you’re looking for a quiet hiking vacation. 

My advice would be to visit the Lake District outside of the peak season. Anytime in late spring or early autumn would be ideal. 

The summer months are when the Lake District is really teeming with visitors and is best avoided unless you’re fond of holidaymaker crowds. 

What is the most beautiful national park in the UK?

While this is a very subjective question, most surveys put the Lake District at the top of the list, and I would have to agree, although the Cairngorms is a close runner-up. 

I have been lucky enough to visit some of the most beautiful natural scenic places in the world, but I am always blown away by the sheer majesty of the Lake District, and driving through the Cairngorms is an unforgettable experience. 

Which UK national park is the least visited?

Northumberland National Park is the least visited in the UK, which is a surprise as this park has a lot of fascinating history, being located very close to Hadrian’s Wall. 

It still attracts over a million visitors per year and offers a diverse landscape and ancient ruins. 

When is the best time to visit a UK national park?

The summer months are undoubtedly the best time of year to visit a UK national park because of the weather, but this is also when you can expect the most visitors and when accommodations will be the most expensive. 

Alternatively, visiting a UK national park during late spring or early autumn would be a good choice, but expect the unexpected with the notorious British weather, which can be very interchangeable!