This summer National Parks in the UK are celebrating the 60th anniversary of the legislation that created them – the Access to the Countryside Act 1949 – by encouraging people to visit all 14 of them.
From the beginning of this year’s National Parks Week (27 July 2009) people can download (www.nationalparks.gov.uk/passport) a special National Parks Passport or collect one from a National Park visitor centre then start collecting a stamp and signature in each National Park they visit.
There are more than 60 million visitors a year to the UK’s National Parks but some are better known than others. The Passport aims to encourage people to try somewhere new.
John Riddle, Chairman of the UK Association of National Parks, and of Northumberland National Park Authority, said “If you visit a National Park we want to hear from you. Was there anything you particularly enjoyed doing, did you manage to travel the green way and leave your car behind? Perhaps you sampled some delicious locally produced food? We want to share your experiences, photos and videos on-line so upload them to the National Parks website and show us where you’ve been. “
Visitors can also give feedback to National Park staff and each other on the National Parks Facebook page, Twitter feed and YouTube channel.
National Parks’ Week 2009 (27 July to 3 August) is packed full of great events from walks to picnics to wildlife activities and family days out in beautiful countryside all over the UK.
Information about the 60th anniversary and how the National Parks and other protected areas have been shaped is available on www.diamondsinthelandscape.org.uk, together with more than 40 spectacular walks to download.