The best UK national parks for road trips
Our study reveals the best national parks in the UK for a dreamy road trip
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Which is the best national park in the UK?
From rolling hills and scenic landscapes to shimmering lakes and historic sites, national parks are the perfect destination for outdoorsy travellers.
Spending time in nature can bring a wide range of benefits, such as improving your physical wellbeing, reducing feelings of stress, and boosting your confidence and self-esteem.
With 15 national parks spread across the UK, Brits are spoilt for choice. But with so many beautiful spots to pick from, which one should you visit in your used VW or BMW?
We've revealed the best national parks to visit based on the number of nearby cafes, parking spaces, average temperature and social media popularity.
The top national parks to visit in the UK:
Peak District
Lake District
New Forest
Northumberland
Dartmoor
Norfolk and Suffolk Broads
Pembrokeshire Coast
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs
South Downs
Eryi (Snowdonia)
Exmoor
Yorkshire Dales
Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons)
Cairngorms
North York Moors
The best national parks to visit in the UK
Looking to spend a day or two in the best national park in the UK? According to our data, the Peak District is the place to be.
Sam Sheehan, our motoring editor, said: “Crowning the best national park in the UK based on its scenery alone is no easy feat, as every park is dotted with picturesque villages and stunning sites.
“However, based on our findings, the perfect location for a road trip is the Peak District, the first of Britain’s 15 national parks to be established.
“Covering five different counties and featuring spectacular landscapes, the Peak District is an ideal destination if you’re on the hunt for picture- or video-perfect spots.
“In fact, this stunning part of the world has received over 363 million views on TikTok, making it a true favourite among nature lovers and social media users.”
If you’ve visited the Peak District already and fancy a change, the Lake District (Cumbria) and New Forest (Hampshire and Wiltshire) are beautiful alternatives as well. Sitting in second and third place respectively, these English natural parks are a glorious backdrop for a weekend away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
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Number of cafes
With plenty of walking and sightseeing on the cards, visiting a national park requires lots of energy. Finding a spot to refuel with a coffee and cake is an important ritual for many visitors.
The Lake District boasts an impressive 335 cafes dotted along the well-trodden paths of Ambleside, Windermere and other picturesque Cumbrian villages.
However, it’s not the only national park with an abundance of cafes to keep you refreshed and well-fed.
With 251 cafes within its boundary, Northumberland National Park offers lots of opportunities to take a sit down and recharge your batteries. The locals are known to be very friendly, so you might be able to toast to your rural adventure together.
Norfolk and Suffolk Broads deserve a special mention, too, with 202 cafes on hand should you start feeling a bit peckish.
Number of car parks
Jumping behind the wheel is a great way to explore Britain’s national parks to the fullest, allowing you to drive comfortably from one scenic spot to the next.
If you’re concerned about finding a place to park your car, most national parks won’t leave you driving around in circles.
When it comes to parking, New Forest is top of the tree. This spectacular part of the world has 120 car parks spread across its land, making it easy to find a spot to leave the car and take a walk.
The Peak District and Pembrokeshire Coast are driver-friendly areas, too - home to 44 and 40 car parks respectively.
Average temperature
If you’re hoping to explore a national park in warmer temperatures, the New Forest is most likely to deliver. The average May temperature is a pleasant 15˚C, making it the mildest national park in the UK.
South Downs and Exmoor, both nestled in southern England, are also good options for travellers who aren’t keen on the cold. The average temperature for both parks is an average 14˚C in May.
Stretching across the Scottish Highlands, Cairngorms is the coldest national park to visit in the UK with an average May temperature of 10˚C. If your heart is set on its majestic forests and peaceful lochs, make sure to wrap up warm.
TikTok views and Instagram hashtags
When choosing your next road trip destination, photos and videos on social media can help influence your getaway plans.
The Peak District is a big favourite with TikTok users (363 million views), but there are plenty of other national parks that receive lots of love on social platforms because of their picture-perfect scenery.
Northumberland is very popular on TikTok, with related videos receiving 212m views to date. Dartmoor National Park is another location to have wowed users of the social media platform with over 130m views.
If you’re looking for inspiration on Instagram, you might come across pictures of the Lake District, which boasts a total of 4.3m hashtags on the platform.
The Peak District is another favourite on Instagram, featuring 2.3m mentions on the photo and video sharing app. Northumberland is the third most ‘Instagrammable’ national park in the country with 1.8m mentions.
Fancy a road trip packed with unforgettable views? With a variety of breathtaking natural parks up and down the country, turn on your sat nav and enjoy some peace and quiet in Britain’s glorious nature.