Could Wales Get Its Fourth National Park?

The Lake District is ‘a sort of national property, in which every man has a right and interest who has an eye to perceive and a heart to enjoy,’ Romantic poet William Wordsworth wrote in 1810. Famously captivated throughout his life by the breathtaking beauty found on home shores, his words – and his role in the Romantic movement – planted the seeds for what would become a major, radical overhaul of British governance, granting the entire population access to the countryside by law. This dramatic change would only come about post-war, however, coming into effect in 1949, with the Peak District designated the UK’s first national park in 1951. Fast forward to 2024, and 15 national parks are scattered across the UK – special protected landscapes showcasing stunning beauty, fascinating cultural heritage and boasting a range of wildlife. And fast forward to today specifically, and a decision will be made on a possible 16th park…

Is The UK Getting A New National Park?

Yes, the UK may well be getting its 16th national park: an area covering 150 square miles in northeast Wales. On the 75th anniversary of the protected areas being created by law, a consultation is set to close, determining whether a fourth national park in Wales is feasible. If approved, the new park will stretch from the northern coast near Prestatyn, Denbighshire down to northern Powys, including the Clwydian Range, Lake Vyrnwy in Powys and Wrexham’s Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, already a world heritage site.

The lengthy decision process was kicked off by the Welsh government in 2022, and if the park is approved today, 2025 will see exact boundaries drawn out – something which has split opinions among locals. ‘It’s beautiful as it is, says Trevor Bates, county councillor for rural Dyffryn Ceiriog, which would be totally enveloped by the proposed boundaries. He fears protection will not happen, despite the aims of the designation, pointing to Eryri as a case study: ‘How do you protect the environment from four million visitors in Snowdon – and their dogs? The environment is destroyed, the habitat is destroyed. You can’t support conservation with so many visitors.’

In fact, 42 percent of respondents to a public engagement assessment oppose the formation of the park, citing concerns spanning impacts on families living and working in the area, road congestion with the influx of visitors and rising house prices. In contrast, 51 percent of respondees approve of the move, keen to prevent overdevelopment and preserve the region’s rural beauty.

Other potential future national parks in the UK include areas in the Chilterns, the Cotswolds and Dorset. Under Rishi Sunak’s Conservative government, the hunt for a new national park in England commenced in November 2023 in line with manifesto pledges, with Natural England committing £15 million to support the protection of the nation’s existing National Parks and National Landscapes (previously known as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty).

The news followed public outcry as depleted financial resources have led to the UK becoming one of the most nature-depleted nations in the world. ‘Today’s investment will go some way to easing the burden in the short term but the next crisis could be just around the corner,’ commented Dr Rose O’Neill, chief executive of the Campaign for National Parks, at the time. She described Britain’s national parks as ‘financially throttled’.

The Cairngorms is the UK’s largest national park

How Many National Parks Are There In The UK?

There are currently 15 national parks in the UK: 10 in England (covering 10 percent of the country’s land area), three in Wales (covering 20 percent) and two in Scotland (covering 7 percent). Despite Scotland having the smallest share of national parks, it is home to the UK’s largest: the Cairngorms in the Scottish Highlands.

The full list of the UK’s national parks is as follows:

• Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons), Wales
• Broads, England
• Cairngorms, Scotland
• Dartmoor, England
• Eryri (Snowdonia), Wales
• Exmoor, England
• Lake District, England
• Loch Lomond & The Trossachs, Scotland
• New Forest, England
• North York Moors, England
• Northumberland, England
• Peak District, England
• Pembrokeshire Coast, Wales
• South Downs, England
• Yorkshire Dales, England

Which Is The UK’s Newest National Park?

The most recent National Park was designated in 2010: the South Downs. With a population of 108,000, an estimated 39 million people visit the South Downs every year, making it the UK’s most popular (and populous) national park, too.