Discover National Parks fortnight

This Saturday (6 April) marks the start of Discover National Parks Fortnight – a two-week celebration across the UK with events and experiences running throughout the Easter holidays to inspire people of all ages and interests to go outside and explore and learn more about these special places.

The UK’s fifteen National Parks are each unique – some have high mountains others meandering wetlands and dramatic coastline. They offer infinite opportunities to explore, learn, relax, unwind, whether it’s a gentle family walk with little ones exploring every tree and flower along the way, action adventures to tempt teens away from their phones or cultural events exploring the special history of the National Parks. Find out about the wide range of events and activities at nationalparks.uk/discover.

This year’s celebration marks the 70th Anniversary of the 1949 National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act that paved the way for the establishment of National Parks in the UK.

Sarah Fowler, chief executive of the Peak District National Park Authority, said: “The fifteen National Parks were created to protect and care for special landscapes across the UK, and to do this on behalf of everyone in the country. The 70th Anniversary is a perfect moment for us to encourage people – whether they live in a National Park or in the middle of a city – to discover the extraordinary variety and inspiring stories of the fifteen National Parks.

“The news is full of stories about how important it is for our physical and mental health to spend time in nature, especially with the spiralling effects of social media and digital technology on the pace of life. National Parks offer some of the best places in the country to switch off, to experience and connect with our landscape, our wildlife, and our friends, our families and ourselves. I hope Lorna’s effort will inspire others to get out and about in the Peak District National Park.”

Join in with #NationalParksFortnight2019 and #DiscoverNationalParks throughout the year.

Find out details of events in the Peak District National Park at peakdistrict.gov.uk/events, including:

Monday 8 April – 10am to 1pm, family adventure walk from Crowden – child £5, booking required.

Wednesday 10 April – 11am to 4pm, Easter fun at Castleton visitor centre – free, just drop in.

Friday 12 April – 11am to 3pm, find out about bilberry bumblebees at Edale visitor centre – free, just drop in.

Saturday 13 April – 11am to 4pm, Easter fun at Castleton visitor centre – free, just drop in.

Thursday 25 April – 10.30am to 1pm, Family Play Wild at Longdendale – child £5, booking required.

Sarah Fowler added: “I’m delighted that during Discover National Parks Fortnight one of my colleagues – Lorna Fisher – is cycling 1,658 miles to all fifteen National Parks, starting in the Cairngorms on 13th April and cycling through the Peak District on Friday 19th April on her way to Snowdonia and onwards. Lorna will be raising funds for #70kfor70 – the first campaign of the newly-launched Peak District National Park Foundation which is working to raise £70,000 for conservation projects in celebration of the 70th Anniversary.”

More information about Lorna’s ride is at peakdistrict.gov.uk/pedallingtheparks.

People can follow Lorna’s progress on social media on @peakdistrict on Twitter and Facebook, and with the hashtag #PedaltheParks.