The Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales, the Cairngorms, the Cotswolds; the UK’s jam-packed with areas of natural beauty that Brits and tourists alike flock to every year.
But the national park that’s been voted the nation’s best is far from the one you’d expect. Despite the obvious attraction of the country’s most-celebrated areas of nature, it is one of Britain’s unsung wild areas that’s taken the top spot.
But which is it? The Peak District? Exmoor? Dartmoor? The South Downs? Nope. Northumberland National Park takes the prize as Britain’s best, according to Which?.
Which? readers considered a variety of factors when making their judgement, including the scenery, how busy the area is, the nearby accommodation and the wildlife.
Northumberland won out with a 90 percent customer score, beating the Pembrokeshire Coast (88 percent) and the Lake District (86 percent).
Visitors can stargaze thanks to the very low light pollution and it’s high-rating for peacefulness means you can totally disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
One member told Which?: “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.”
Northumberland didn’t run away with the crown though; it had some close contenders. The Pembrokeshire Coast and the Lake District enjoy much more frequent acclaim than Northumberland.
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Wales’ highest-ranked, only missed out on first place by two percentage points.
The coast boasts 58 beaches along its 186-mile stretch and has been branded “Cornwall without the crowds”. It scored five stars for scenery and has incredible wildlife, like Skomer Island’s famous puffins.
In third place came maybe Britain’s best-known area of natural beauty: the Lake District. Stunningly beautiful and exceptionally well-equipped with places to stay and things to do, the Lakes are popular for a reason.
However, such is its popularity, the area didn’t score highly for peace and quiet and as such had to settle for third.
