Top National Parks

The Glacier National Park, one of Canada's finest public spaces, celebrates its 100th birthday tomorrow. Located in North West Montana it features the stunning Going-to-the-Sun Road - a feat of engineering that winds 50 miles through the park's interior. It also offers a large population of bears, a hike-able glacier, lakes, the famed-Logan's Pass and horse trails.

Sounds impressive doesn't it? It got us thinking about the UK's own National Parks: 15 National Parks to be precise. From the mountainous Cairngorms in Scotland to the wild beauty of Dartmoor in the South West, the UK is well stocked with stunning National Parks. Below, we highlight three of the best.

South Downs
The South Downs is the most recent addition to the National Park family and stretches 100 miles from the edge of Winchester to Beachy Head. Its varied landscape makes it one of the most interesting National Parks in the country featuring a diverse mix of woodland, beachland, heath and even the sheer chalky cliffs at Seven Sisters.

Lake District
One of the most famous and popular of the UK's National Parks, the Lake District has a special place in the heart of holiday makers. Lakes, mountains (including Scafell Pike), coastline, quaint villages, country pubs and trails for walking, cycling and horse riding mean there's something for everyone. The Lake District is the largest of England's National Parks, so brush up on exactly where you want to stay before you book.

New Forest
The New Forest is a distinctly family-friendly National Park. The ancient woodland is perfect for children who will delight in its roaming horses and boggy mires, castles, watersports and myriad activity centres. Adults, meanwhile, will find plenty to keep them busy including prime fishing spots, golf and dozens of leafy walking trails.