Protecting our National Parks for Future Generations

With 13 wonderful National Parks across England and Wales, the UK is blessed with some of the most remarkable landscapes in the world, ranging from the expansive lakes, forests and imposing fells of the Lake District to the contrasting mountains and rolling golden sands on Pembrokeshire. These charming natural spaces are home to a stunning variety of wildlife and with so much to explore and discover, the parks are also a popular destination for thousands of human visitors every year.

Guests to our National Parks include families and couples looking to enjoy rural retreats to the English countryside, as well as groups of friends seeking an active day of walking or more relaxed ‘digital detox’. While we would certainly encourage you to enjoy a UK holiday at one of our National Parks, it is important to remember that these stunning landscapes need the help of everybody who visits them if they are to continue to survive today, as well as to retain their natural beauty and provide a safe haven for wildlife well into the future.

Original Cottages is proud to support Campaign for National Parks in its work to ensure that the parks are better protected, more beautiful and accessible to All. The charity is an umbrella of nearly thirty environmental and amenity groups, indirectly representing over four million people with an interest in National Park matters.

Corinne Pluchino is the current CEO of the Campaign for National Parks and was recently kind enough to share a few thoughts with us regarding how you can get involved and enjoy our National Parks such as the Lake District, responsibly.

The Campaign for National Parks

“For over 80 years Campaign for National Parks has been leading the fight to protect, improve and encourage sustainable use of National Parks across England and Wales, beginning with the struggle to establish the Parks in the 1930s,” Corinne explains. We are the only national charity dedicated to protecting and improving the National Parks. Our vision is that the National Parks are beautiful and inspirational places enjoyed and valued by all.”

Having taken her position as CEO of Campaign for National Parks during May 2019, Corrine brings fresh enthusiasm to the role and is keen to focus her expertise on developing the organisation’s important work.

“I am extremely excited to have started my new role. It is a wonderful opportunity for me to bring together my longstanding passion for the natural world with my professional experience in communications, campaigning and public policy development,” she says. “I am most looking forward to working together with the many individuals and organisations that are involved with National Parks to address many critical issues such as the importance of landscape-scale conservation, securing adequate resources for the Parks, encouraging greater accessibility for everyone, and ensuring national policies are reflected in local decision making.”

Responsible Travel

Following the development of the UK’s National Parks at the end of the Second World War, the parks have continued to evolve as an import component in the continued push to protect the natural environment. The parks also provide holiday-makers and members of the public the opportunity to explore some of the UK’s most inspiring and breath-taking landscapes.

Enjoying one of these sprawling natural spaces is certainly an opportunity not to be missed, but it is important to also consider how to best visit these sites while also protecting them for future generations. Fortunately, Corinne has some useful advice on accessing the parks responsibly: “Try to use public transport if and when possible. We are campaigning to make it easier for people to visit and enjoy the National Parks of England and Wales by more sustainable means. By reducing the number of people who travel to National Parks by car we can reduce carbon emissions and noise pollution. We would also recommend that visitors look at the Countryside Code, which gives very helpful advice on issues such as different types of footpaths, planning ahead and walking across farmland.”

Pet-Friendly Holidays

Exploring the UK Countryside from the comfort of one of our thousands of unique holiday homes can be an incredibly rewarding experience, whether you prefer an accommodation close to a town or village, or more remote holiday cottages that allow you to truly relax and unwind. Holiday cottages are also an excellent choice for travelling with pets, with dogs enjoying a brisk amble through unspoilt natural spaces as much as the rest of the family! 

Keeping your pet and local wildlife safe while you are on holiday is the responsibility of everyone who travels with a pet, but it needn’t be a source of stress or aggravation. There are a few simple steps to take to ensure that you’ll have a wonderful trip and want to return to your favourite National Park time and time again. 

“England and Wales’s National Parks are wonderful places to walk dogs.  However, please remember your dog should be kept under control to ensure it does not disturb wild animals or farm livestock,” Corrine elaborates. “There may be specific signs asking dogs to be kept on a lead during the bird breeding season, and it is advisable to keep them on a lead near farm animals at all times. Please also ‘bag it and bin it’ to avoid passing on infections to children or other animals.”

Get Involved

There are all sorts of ways for you and your family to help protect the England and Wales’ National Parks, ranging from becoming a friend of Campaign for National Parks or even visiting the parks yourself and learning to better understand the natural environment. There is a genuine wealth of stunning scenery waiting to be discovered across the UK and with your help that this natural treasure will remain for years to come.

“It is absolutely critical that we keep campaigning for their protection and improvement. I have always been inspired by their beauty, tranquillity and variety. They consist of such contrasting landscapes, distinctive histories and diverse ecosystems across England and Wales,” Corrine concludes. “You can help safeguard the future of beautiful places – and everyone’s right to enjoy them – by becoming a Friend of Campaign for National Parks! We are the only national charity dedicated to defending an improving all the National parks in England and Wales and as a Friend, there are lots of benefits included.”

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If you would like to plan a visit to one of the National Parks within England or Wales you can find of a unique collection of hand-picked holiday cottages set near national parks here, or you can call our team of local experts on 0333 2020 899 – we’d love to hear from you.

For further information regarding the Campaign for National Parks, you can visit the organisation’s website by clicking here.