Soon after he left school in the early 1930s, a weekend’s walking in the Surrey Hills opened Len Clark’s eyes to the great outdoors. “And thanks to my new YHA card,” he says, “I went on to explore most of Britain’s national parks before they were even invented!”

A member of the Ramblers for 60 years, Len’s enthusiasm was undimmed by the Second World War: he cycled around the Brecon Beacons while stationed in the Welsh borders. Then one lunchtime, shortly after the war, Len picked up a 1945 report by the former Ramblers President John Dower, proposing the creation of national parks in England and Wales. “As I tucked into my macaroni cheese,” he recalls, “I found to my amazement that this chap had discovered the same exciting places as I had. What’s more, he had the right ideas about opening them up for all whilst protecting them from despoliation.”

Yellowstone, in the US, had become the world’s first national park way back in 1872, but the idea was slow to cross the Atlantic. Throughout the 1920s and ‘30s outdoor recreation became increasingly popular, and more and more walkers were frustrated by the denial of public access to the Pennine fells. Hundreds took part in the legendary Mass Trespass on Kinder Scout in 1932, which saw five walkers jailed after scuffles with gamekeepers. The Ramblers was founded three years later and quickly joined forces with other groups already pressing for national parks. But it was only after the hiatus of war that Attlee’s government established the Hobhouse Committee, which finally proposed 12 national parks in England and Wales.

Len Clark got involved with the campaign and, on a first date with his future wife, listened to the second reading of the 1949 National Parks Bill from the public gallery of the House of Commons. “It was a mixture of enthusiasm and polite debate,” says Len. “Although the initiative came from the left, virtually no-one was against the national parks. But the Lords were a bit miffed at losing their traditional rights over land that they’d managed for generations.”

Thriving despite challenges
When the Peak District National Park opened in April 1951, it was the first tangible product of the new legislation. Ten parks were up and running within eight years, but it would take another half-a-century to secure the remaining two on Hobhouse’s original list (the New Forest and South Downs). National parks were only a part of the 1949 Act, though, which also brought in new definitive maps of public rights of way, laid the foundations for National Trails, and introduced protection for other important landscapes and wildlife sites.

Today, Britain’s national parks are thriving. Walkers account for well over half of the 10 million visitors to the Peak District each year, contributing nearly £225m to the local economy and making it one of the UK’s top rural tourist destinations. Like areas of outstanding natural beauty (AONBs), national parks must conserve and enhance the area’s scenery, wildlife and heritage. But they’re also obliged to promote education, recreation and (since 1995) the economic and social well-being of their local community. It’s easy to see how these difficult and diverse duties can often conflict. So extra resources are made available to help cope (national parks are funded by Defra; AONBs depend on an annual grant from their local authority), and where problems do arise, the ‘Sandford Principle’ maintains that priority should always be given to conservation.

Overall, it seems to work. “National park countryside has definitely improved over the last 60 years,” says Kate Ashbrook, a trustee for both the Ramblers and Campaign for National Parks (CNP). “The independent park authorities are a good thing: more robust and less parochial. And there seem to be fewer big threats now, such as MOD ranges and china clay workings on Dartmoor.” Nevertheless, national parks aren’t immune from a range of modern pressures. Quarrying remains contentious, especially in the Peak District and Yorkshire Dales where large-scale mining rights dating back to the 1950s are technically still valid until 2042. And the Government’s recently proposed new planning guidance could make it easier to drive major electricity lines through national parks. There are administrative changes under debate at Westminster, too.

Park management changes
In a bid to increase local accountability, Defra is reviewing the structure of English national park authorities. “Local people must have a say in running their national park,” says Ruth Chambers of the CNP. “But the parks are also national assets, and any changes shouldn’t upset that balance.”  In a separate move, the proposed new Public Bodies Bill would give ministers wide powers over national park authorities’ work. “It’s right that the parks are accountable to Parliament,” says Ruth Chambers, “but ministers shouldn’t be able to micro-manage their work. We think that these changes go too far.” Issues like these are meat and drink to the voluntary societies that support each national park, such as the Snowdonia Society. “We monitor strategic decisions and take part in consultations affecting the park,” says the Society’s director, Gareth Clubb. “We also organise practical conservation work, such as litter picks and footpath improvements, as well as visits and social events.”

Scotland, meanwhile, had to wait for its own Parliament before national parks made the leap north of the Border. After that, things moved fast; Loch Lomond and the Trossachs was designated in 2002, closely followed by the Cairngorms National Park in 2003. Although the small print differs slightly, the Scottish parks have broadly similar aims to their cousins further south. Last autumn, the Cairngorms brought Highland Perthshire within its borders, creating an enlarged national park twice the size of the Lake District. “Highland Perthshire was part of the original Scottish Natural Heritage proposals, but was left out for political reasons,” explains David Green, convener of the Cairngorms National Park Authority. “There was huge support for righting this wrong.”

Not surprising, perhaps, when you consider the benefits. The park is attracting more young residents, unemployment has fallen, and tourism accounts for almost a third of the growing local economy. A recent survey also highlights mounting prestige for the Cairngorms brand, with twice as many visits prompted by national park status as there were in 2003.

Growth and cutbacks
In the future, Scotland could see a new national park on the island of Harris. While south of the border, Natural England is considering proposals to link the Yorkshire Dales with the Lake District. Yet the spectre of economic cuts looms large. Just before Christmas, Defra announced a 21.5% reduction in national park authority budgets over the next four years – and the effects are already being felt.

In the Peak District, the national park authority is disposing of its extensive land holdings and transferring its Losehill Hall education and conference centre to the YHA. Nevertheless, Andy Tickle at Friends of the Peak District takes a pragmatic line: “For some sites, new forms of ownership and management could be key to meeting new challenges such as climate change, enhancing biodiversity and encouraging wider access for all. Many people may be uncomfortable with the politics, but if the end result is that land is better managed for everyone, then is that necessarily a bad thing?”

For Len Clark, he’s seen it all before. “The national parks have had their ups and downs in the last 60 years, but they’re something we can be proud of,” he says. “They ensure public access, with strict planning controls discouraging developers from abusing the unique mixture of exhilaration and awe that makes them so special. They’re absolutely a success!”

Click here for more walk‘s recent coverage of Britain’s National Parks.

Now, the full-length Ulster Way has been relaunched on a revised and slightly shorter route of 1,000km/625 miles, but with only selected ‘quality sections’ fully waymarked and promoted as ideal for walking, mainly following existing Waymarked Ways through the province’s numerous Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The remaining 342km/214 miles are unsigned and predominantly on-road ‘link sections’ where walkers are advised to catch buses and trains, though the really determined can walk them using online maps.
For more about the route, visit www.ulsterway.co.uk.

A guide to the recently launched 88km/55-mile Annandale Way in Dumfries & Galloway is available as a free download from www.sulwathconnections.org

Image by Wikipedia Common user ‘Ardfern’

Windy pits are networks of limestone fissure caves found in the southwest corner of the North York Moors National Park and their name derives from the flurries of air emitted from within. Providing important bat roosts, the discovery of skeletons and other objects in the windy pits suggest they also had a more gruesome use in the Bronze and late Iron Ages. Graham Lee, Senior Archaeological Conservation Officer for the North York Moors National Park Authority will talk about the finds and the importance of the windy pits for nature conservation on Tuesday 1 June.

Geology-expert Brian Sweeney will then take the audience back millions of years on Thursday 3 June to a time of warm shallow seas when the limestone of Sutton Bank was formed and looks at how this iconic landscape was later shaped by ice and meltwater. On Sunday 6 June, the spotlight turns to the human imprint on the landscape with a look at the archaeology of Yearsley Moors which ranges from the Bronze Age through to the Second World War.

“The landscape around Sutton Bank is not only visually stunning; it also has many fascinating tales to tell,” says Jennifer Smith, Project Officer for the £500,000 Heritage Lottery funded Lime and Ice Project. “Attending one of the talks or the guided walk will make you look at an area – perhaps that you thought you knew very well – with a fresh pair of eyes.”

Wondrous Windy Pits and Limestone Stories take place at Sutton Bank National Park Centre from 7pm to 8.30pm. The walk to explore Yearsley Moor starts at 2pm and will take around 90 minutes. There is no charge for these events but booking is advisable to guarantee a place – call ✆ 01439 772738.

Above: The view towards Sutton Bank and Hood Hill. Left: A windy pit, yesterday

The Mold Railway Footpath has been lovingly transformed thanks to restoration funding from The Bovril Great Outdoors Revival Campaign, and is now open to walkers of all abilities. The restoration project was entered into Bovrils ‘doing up the countryside’ competition by Howard White, Chairman of the local Ramblers Cymru group. The tidy-up was awarded a share of the £100k Bovril prize fund in February, and was unveiled in March with Mold Town Mayor, Tony Cattermoul, joining members of the Ramblers and the public at the grand unveiling – which culminated in a leisurely stroll along the new pathway.

The former Mold and Denbigh Railway line runs north from near the town centre of Mold for half a mile, linking with pleasant level riverside paths. Overgrown vegetation was trimmed back and rubbish removed, with a level gravel surface laid on the railway ballast to make the path safer to use. Boundary fences and gates were also tidied up and some signposts provided. Project founder and nominator Howard White hopes that the improved Railway Footpath will be the first stage in converting parts of the former Mold – Denbigh railway line. His hope is to see a long distance walking, cycling and horse-riding route through the Wheeler Valley further north, within the Clwydian Range Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

“Visitors and residents of Mold will really benefit from the improvement of the railway footpath,” says Howard. “Since the line closed in 1984 it had become overgrown and unwelcoming. But with its restoration completed it can be used regularly by dog walkers and members of the Flintshire “Walks for Health’ groups. The funding from the Bovril Great Outdoors Revival campaign ensured we could transform this much loved area and give it back to the community to enjoy.”

Brand Manager for Bovril, David Titman, added: “Following the launch of the Bovril Great Outdoors Revival campaign, we were inundated with nominations for the restoration grants and it has been really tough choosing between so many worthwhile projects. But when we came across Howard White’s Mold Railway Footpath during judging, the idea clearly brought so much value to the local community and health groups; with the prospect of reaching further we knew we had to help.”

Images © Ray Farley

Next Monday marks the start of National Parks Week – a fun-filled seven day celebration of Britain’s magnificent (and growing!) network of National Parks. This year marks the 60th anniversay of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act, which set-up the creation of these vital spaces back in 1949. Today, walkers and other outdoor enthusiasts can explore 14 parks across the UK, with a 15th planned for the South Downs. Click on the links below to read our twin special features, or scroll down to visit each park’s site, read past Walk articles and share your memories.

Britain’s network of National Parks (click to visit each site)

Your passport to the great outdoors

To mark the 60th anniversary of the creation of our National Parks, organisers are challenging the British public to visit all 14 of them over the coming year. You can download 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 you 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 us all to try somewhere new.

A map of our National Parks and Areas of Oustanding Natural Beauty

National Park articles from the pages of Walk Magazine…
•Celebrating the creation of the South Downs National Park

•Opening of New Forest National Park (PDF)

•Freedom to roam in National Parks (PDF)

Share your memories

Use the comments box below to tell us about the adventures you’ve had in Britain’s National Parks, or why not share your photos on our Flickr site

Mike Smart, £16.99

Rising majestically from the rich, green countryside along the Herefordshire-Worcestershire border, the Malvern Hills have been a natural destination for walkers, artists and nature lovers for generations. Mike Smart’s stunning photographic record captures the spirit of these hills in all seasons. Although essentially a photo album, it also includes helpful maps and information for walkers, with points of historical and geological interest. For walkers unfamiliar with the Malverns, Smart’s visual guide will inspire you to go, or offer previous visitors a reminder of this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

www.franceslincoln.com