What is a National Park?
National Parks are beautiful, spectacular and often dramatic expanses of countryside. In the UK people live and work in the National Parks and the farms, villages and towns are protected along with the landscape and wildlife. They are also areas where everyone can go to enjoy the outdoors. In 1945, before any National Parks had been created in the UK, John Dower wrote a report to the government, describing what National Parks should do. He said that for ‘the Nation’s benefit’ the government should make sure; • the characteristic landscape beauty is strictly preserved; • access and facilities for open-air enjoyment are amply provided; • wildlife and buildings and places of architectural and historic interest are suitably protected; • established farming use is effectively maintained.
