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Best National Parks in the UK
Visitors loved the Lake District, Pembrokeshire and the Yorkshire Dales – but there was one National Park that beat them all in our latest survey
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The highest-rated National Park in the country – according to our survey of more than 8,000 Which? members – is also one of the least visited.
Northumberland's hundreds of square miles of rugged hills, crossed by the ancient Hadrian's Wall, achieved our highest five-star rating for its attractions and, crucially, its peace and quiet.
While all the parks in our survey got excellent destination scores, some visitors warned us that they can be far too busy in summer.
Our table will show you where you'll find the best scenery, finest walks and most interesting wildlife – without having to put up with the crowds.
The UK's National Parks
| National park | Destination score | Scenery | Well-maintained walks | Wildlife | Peace and quiet | Visitor facilities | Cafés, restaurants & pubs | Attractions | Accommodation in the area |
| Northumberland | 90% | ||||||||
| Pembrokeshire Coast | 88% | ||||||||
| Lake District | 86% | ||||||||
| Yorkshire Dales | 86% | ||||||||
| Cairngorms | 86% | ||||||||
| North York Moors | 85% | ||||||||
| Snowdonia | 84% | ||||||||
| Peak District | 84% | ||||||||
| Exmoor | 82% | ||||||||
| Dartmoor | 82% | ||||||||
| Loch Lomond and The Trossachs | 81% | ||||||||
| Brecon Beacons | 81% | ||||||||
| South Downs | 78% | ||||||||
| New Forest | 77% | ||||||||
| The Broads | 76% |
Top 5 UK National Parks
1. Northumberland – best National Park in England (and overall)
Unspoilt Northumberland came top of our table with an impressive 90% overall score. The least populated park, it earned five stars for peace and quiet. The stunning Cheviot Hills will provide you with solitude if you want to get away from it all.
Despite the park’s overall calm, there is still plenty to see and do — it also scored top marks for its attractions. Part of the park has dark sky status for stargazing by night. By day, you’ll find plenty of trails that pass by woodland, ancient hill forts, castle ruins, waterfalls and even Hadrian’s Wall.
One member said: ‘I love the quality of the light there and the sense of calm… you can easily get away from crowds and find that elusive sense of isolation.’
And if you get peckish, there are plenty of cafés, pubs and bars nearby, outperforming several other popular parks in this category, too.
2. Pembrokeshire Coast – best National Park in Wales
Scoring an impressive five stars for scenery, Pembrokeshire coast national park was ranked in second place overall and was your favourite national park in Wales.
The coast path’s stunning 186 miles take in 58 beaches, with steep limestone cliffs and volcanic headlands jutting out into the surf and spray of the Atlantic.
Members called it ‘Cornwall 20 years ago’ and ‘Cornwall without the crowds’. There’s also plenty of wildlife such as Skomer Island’s famous puffins.
3. Lake District
With its show-stopping beauty it’s no wonder the Lake District scores five stars for scenery. It has waterside escapes, lush woodland and quaint villages to explore.
Thanks to its popularity (it was the most visited national park in the survey,) the accommodation in the area is plentiful and well-rated, but it does fall down on peace and quiet. However, if it’s an adventure you’re after, you’re in luck. The Lake District has the highest concentration of outdoor activity centres in the UK.
Northumberland National Park is not far from the Northumberland Coast – find out where it came in our area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) survey
4. Yorkshire Dales
The picturesque Yorkshire Dales offers it all. From tumbling waterfalls and green valleys to dramatic limestone cliffs, there are scenic backdrops for every walk and bike ride on offer. Visit in August and the moorlands will be carpeted with purple heather.
If hiking and biking aren’t your activities of choice, the park was rated well in our survey for attractions, as well as its array of cafés, restaurants and pubs. So instead, you can visit a cosy pub or head to a creamery to discover the art of cheese-making.
Though it was the third most visited national park in our survey, it still managed to score four out of five for peace and quiet.
5. The Cairngorms – best National Park in Scotland
The Cairngorms, Scotland’s favourite national park, is roughly twice the size of the Lake District, and home to five of the UK’s six highest peaks. Snow on summits is possible even in the summer, attracting experienced hikers and climbers.
Elsewhere you’ll find gentler walks through secluded pine woods inhabited by deer and red squirrels. You can amble over moorlands studded with heather and trek past rivers that wind through flood plains. It’s hardly surprising it scored five stars for scenery.
For something more high octane you’ll find mountain bike trails as well as bungee jumping and ski slopes - the latter is dependent on the season.
Looking for walks nearby? Discover the best-rated walks all over the UK in our survey