Latest news with #NationalLandscapes
Scotsman
03-07-2025
- Scotsman
Generation Green 2: A landmark success connecting young people with nature
Young people on a Generation Green school trip A generation of young people, including local youngsters has rediscovered the power of the outdoors thanks to the 12-month Generation Green 2 project. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The initiative has enabled 26,663 young people from some of the most socially disadvantaged areas to explore National Parks, National Landscapes, and Sites of Special Scientific Interest, often for the first time. Funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the landmark £4.5 million programme has transformed access to nature for thousands across England at a time when young people need it the most. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad According to the newly released Generation Green 2 Celebration Report, the impact has been profound. Eight in ten participants said they would not have had the chance to experience the outdoors without the programme's support. For over a third of participants, it marked their first-ever visit to the countryside. Delivered by the Access Unlimited coalition, which includes YHA (England & Wales), The Outward Bound Trust, Field Studies Council, Girlguiding, Scouts, nine National Park Authorities and eight National Landscapes in England, the programme provided life-changing outdoor experiences - from day trips to residentials - designed to improve wellbeing, confidence, and environmental awareness. 'This isn't just about fun and fresh air,' said James Blake, Chair of Access Unlimited and Chief Executive of YHA (England & Wales). 'It's about equity, opportunity, and giving every young person the chance to thrive in and care for the world around them. However, further funding is needed if we are to keep the momentum going.' Rebuilding Connections Lost to the Pandemic The report comes amid mounting evidence that outdoor and nature-based learning is being squeezed out of children's lives. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Research from The Sutton Trust recently revealed that 53 per cent of senior school leaders have been forced to divert Pupil Premium funding, away from outdoor learning to cover shortfalls in core budgets. Originally launched in 2021, Generation Green has played a vital role in helping young people rebuild connections with nature that were lost during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, one million children missed out on school residentials. Many of these outdoor learning opportunities have yet to return, with some activity centres closing permanently. In the immediate aftermath of Covid, the first Generation Green programme - lasting 18 months - provided essential access to green space at a time when children's mental health and connection to the environment were under increasing strain. Subsequent funding for Generation Green was granted by Defra in March last year for a further 12-month programme. Generation Green 2 focused on nights under the stars, a key recommendation in the Government's Landscapes Review, which argued that every child should have the opportunity to experience a night in nature if they are to become future custodians of our green spaces. A Proven Model for a More Equitable Future Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Participants came from some of the most deprived parts of the country, including Croxteth in Liverpool, Blackburn and other low-income areas. The programme created safe, supported, and inspiring spaces for young people to grow, connect, and learn outdoors. 'We know that time in nature can be life-changing,' said Blake. 'We want to do more, and we're ready to do more. But we need long-term support and policy commitment to ensure no child is left behind.' With Generation Green 2 now at an end, its delivery partners are highlighting the urgent need to build on its success and connect more young people to nature and heritage. Access Unlimited Partners celebrate success Speaking of the impact Generation Green has made in the lives of young people and the continuation of the programme, CEOs for Access Unlimited commented in the Celebration Report: Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Our National Parks and other protected landscapes are where we go to experience and engage with nature, to rest and recreate, and to learn about our landscapes. Every child should have the opportunity to experience this vital part of our national fabric, but sadly not everyone does. Generation Green 2 takes us a step closer to a society where everyone feels engaged with the outdoors, the countryside and nature. That should be everyone's right, but it's also what we need if we want to foster a culture that can respond to the climate and biodiversity crisis in the future.' - Jayne Butler, National Parks England 'In 2023 our Girls' Attitudes Survey revealed 81% of UK girls aged 7-21 found being outdoors and in nature helps them feel happy. The funding from Generation Green 2 has allowed us to give even more girls the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and have a trip away, to build their confidence and improve their physical and emotional wellbeing and we're very appreciative to have been involved in Generation Green.' - Angela Salt OBE, chief executive, Girlguiding 'Generation Green 2 hasn't just opened the door to the outdoors, it's thrown it wide open. Tens of thousands of young people, many from Britain's most disadvantaged communities, have climbed mountains, camped under the stars, and found their confidence in the wild. And in doing so, they've built resilience, connection, and a deeper understanding of the natural world. This project proves what we've always known at Outward Bound: When you give young people meaningful experiences in nature, they don't just grow, they thrive. The legacy of Generation Green 2 will live on in every young person who now sees the outdoors not as something distant, but as a part of who they are.' - Martin Davidson, CEO, The Outward Bound Trust 'Generation Green 2 has again demonstrated the big impact that high quality outdoor learning can have on so many aspects of a young person's life. For many it was completely new, for some it will be life changing and Field Studies Council is proud to have played our part in that. We saw improvements in mental health, confidence, a love of learning, classroom subjects sparking into life and a renewed sense of joy in running around and being a child. The project also showed us the need for more such opportunities to ensure that no child misses out.' - Mark Castle, CEO of Field Studies Council Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Generation Green 2 has been a powerful reminder of the impact that time spent in nature can have on young people. We're incredibly proud to have worked with our partners to deliver such inspiring experiences across our National Landscapes — from day visits and farm walks to life-changing residentials. This project has not only opened doors for thousands of young people but has also strengthened our collective commitment to making the outdoors more inclusive, accessible, and welcoming for all.' - John Watkins, Chief Executive, National Landscapes Association 'Generation Green has been a powerful catalyst in helping over 3,700 young people, many from underrepresented backgrounds - connect with nature through meaningful outdoor experiences. By removing barriers, we've widened young people's access to protected landscapes and sparked deeper connections to the environment - supporting wellbeing, resilience and an appreciation for the natural world.' - Aidan Jones, Chief Executive, Scouts 'If we want the environment and nature to be looked after, we need to inspire the next generation. Generation Green 2 has proven how government funding and civil society delivery can work together to extend this inspiration, and the personal development it provides, to many more young people. Through a true partnership approach, Generation Green has connected more than 26,000 disadvantaged young people with the natural world, encouraging the environmentalists of the future, promoting green jobs and setting young people up for lifetimes of enriching adventure through activities in protected landscapes.' – James Blake, CEO, YHA (England & Wales) Why We Need Generation Green 3 Generation Green offers a proven blueprint for change, bringing nature into the lives of young people who need it most. 1 in 5 children aged 10 - 15 has a probable mental health disorder (NHS England, 2023). aged 10 - 15 has a probable mental health disorder (NHS England, 2023). 18% of children in the most deprived areas never visit any kind of natural space. never visit any kind of natural space. Half of the country's most deprived areas are more than 15 miles from a protected landscape. are more than 15 miles from a protected landscape. People from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities make up 14% of the population but just 1% of visitors to National Parks. make up 14% of the population but just 1% of visitors to National Parks. Almost 30% of children in England live in poverty, affecting their access to safe outdoor experiences. Read the Generation Green 2 Celebration Report at
Scotsman
03-07-2025
- Scotsman
Generation Green 2: A landmark success connecting young people with nature
Young people on a Generation Green school trip A generation of young people, including local youngsters has rediscovered the power of the outdoors thanks to the 12-month Generation Green 2 project. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The initiative has enabled 26,663 young people from some of the most socially disadvantaged areas to explore National Parks, National Landscapes, and Sites of Special Scientific Interest, often for the first time. Funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the landmark £4.5 million programme has transformed access to nature for thousands across England at a time when young people need it the most. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad According to the newly released Generation Green 2 Celebration Report, the impact has been profound. Eight in ten participants said they would not have had the chance to experience the outdoors without the programme's support. For over a third of participants, it marked their first-ever visit to the countryside. Delivered by the Access Unlimited coalition, which includes YHA (England & Wales), The Outward Bound Trust, Field Studies Council, Girlguiding, Scouts, nine National Park Authorities and eight National Landscapes in England, the programme provided life-changing outdoor experiences - from day trips to residentials - designed to improve wellbeing, confidence, and environmental awareness. 'This isn't just about fun and fresh air,' said James Blake, Chair of Access Unlimited and Chief Executive of YHA (England & Wales). 'It's about equity, opportunity, and giving every young person the chance to thrive in and care for the world around them. However, further funding is needed if we are to keep the momentum going.' Rebuilding Connections Lost to the Pandemic The report comes amid mounting evidence that outdoor and nature-based learning is being squeezed out of children's lives. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Research from The Sutton Trust recently revealed that 53 per cent of senior school leaders have been forced to divert Pupil Premium funding, away from outdoor learning to cover shortfalls in core budgets. Originally launched in 2021, Generation Green has played a vital role in helping young people rebuild connections with nature that were lost during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, one million children missed out on school residentials. Many of these outdoor learning opportunities have yet to return, with some activity centres closing permanently. In the immediate aftermath of Covid, the first Generation Green programme - lasting 18 months - provided essential access to green space at a time when children's mental health and connection to the environment were under increasing strain. Subsequent funding for Generation Green was granted by Defra in March last year for a further 12-month programme. Generation Green 2 focused on nights under the stars, a key recommendation in the Government's Landscapes Review, which argued that every child should have the opportunity to experience a night in nature if they are to become future custodians of our green spaces. A Proven Model for a More Equitable Future Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Participants came from some of the most deprived parts of the country, including Croxteth in Liverpool, Blackburn and other low-income areas. The programme created safe, supported, and inspiring spaces for young people to grow, connect, and learn outdoors. 'We know that time in nature can be life-changing,' said Blake. 'We want to do more, and we're ready to do more. But we need long-term support and policy commitment to ensure no child is left behind.' With Generation Green 2 now at an end, its delivery partners are highlighting the urgent need to build on its success and connect more young people to nature and heritage. Access Unlimited Partners celebrate success Speaking of the impact Generation Green has made in the lives of young people and the continuation of the programme, CEOs for Access Unlimited commented in the Celebration Report: Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Our National Parks and other protected landscapes are where we go to experience and engage with nature, to rest and recreate, and to learn about our landscapes. Every child should have the opportunity to experience this vital part of our national fabric, but sadly not everyone does. Generation Green 2 takes us a step closer to a society where everyone feels engaged with the outdoors, the countryside and nature. That should be everyone's right, but it's also what we need if we want to foster a culture that can respond to the climate and biodiversity crisis in the future.' - Jayne Butler, National Parks England 'In 2023 our Girls' Attitudes Survey revealed 81% of UK girls aged 7-21 found being outdoors and in nature helps them feel happy. The funding from Generation Green 2 has allowed us to give even more girls the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and have a trip away, to build their confidence and improve their physical and emotional wellbeing and we're very appreciative to have been involved in Generation Green.' - Angela Salt OBE, chief executive, Girlguiding 'Generation Green 2 hasn't just opened the door to the outdoors, it's thrown it wide open. Tens of thousands of young people, many from Britain's most disadvantaged communities, have climbed mountains, camped under the stars, and found their confidence in the wild. And in doing so, they've built resilience, connection, and a deeper understanding of the natural world. This project proves what we've always known at Outward Bound: When you give young people meaningful experiences in nature, they don't just grow, they thrive. The legacy of Generation Green 2 will live on in every young person who now sees the outdoors not as something distant, but as a part of who they are.' - Martin Davidson, CEO, The Outward Bound Trust 'Generation Green 2 has again demonstrated the big impact that high quality outdoor learning can have on so many aspects of a young person's life. For many it was completely new, for some it will be life changing and Field Studies Council is proud to have played our part in that. We saw improvements in mental health, confidence, a love of learning, classroom subjects sparking into life and a renewed sense of joy in running around and being a child. The project also showed us the need for more such opportunities to ensure that no child misses out.' - Mark Castle, CEO of Field Studies Council Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Generation Green 2 has been a powerful reminder of the impact that time spent in nature can have on young people. We're incredibly proud to have worked with our partners to deliver such inspiring experiences across our National Landscapes — from day visits and farm walks to life-changing residentials. This project has not only opened doors for thousands of young people but has also strengthened our collective commitment to making the outdoors more inclusive, accessible, and welcoming for all.' - John Watkins, Chief Executive, National Landscapes Association 'Generation Green has been a powerful catalyst in helping over 3,700 young people, many from underrepresented backgrounds - connect with nature through meaningful outdoor experiences. By removing barriers, we've widened young people's access to protected landscapes and sparked deeper connections to the environment - supporting wellbeing, resilience and an appreciation for the natural world.' - Aidan Jones, Chief Executive, Scouts 'If we want the environment and nature to be looked after, we need to inspire the next generation. Generation Green 2 has proven how government funding and civil society delivery can work together to extend this inspiration, and the personal development it provides, to many more young people. Through a true partnership approach, Generation Green has connected more than 26,000 disadvantaged young people with the natural world, encouraging the environmentalists of the future, promoting green jobs and setting young people up for lifetimes of enriching adventure through activities in protected landscapes.' – James Blake, CEO, YHA (England & Wales) Why We Need Generation Green 3 Generation Green offers a proven blueprint for change, bringing nature into the lives of young people who need it most. 1 in 5 children aged 10 - 15 has a probable mental health disorder (NHS England, 2023). aged 10 - 15 has a probable mental health disorder (NHS England, 2023). 18% of children in the most deprived areas never visit any kind of natural space. never visit any kind of natural space. Half of the country's most deprived areas are more than 15 miles from a protected landscape. are more than 15 miles from a protected landscape. People from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities make up 14% of the population but just 1% of visitors to National Parks. make up 14% of the population but just 1% of visitors to National Parks. Almost 30% of children in England live in poverty, affecting their access to safe outdoor experiences.
Powys County Times
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Powys County Times
Opinion: Everyone will benefit from proposed new Bills
The Welsh Government has announced the new Bills it hopes to pass in the final year of this parliament, writes Joyce Watson MS. They include standards for visitor accommodation, a ban on greyhound racing, simplified planning laws and greater accountability for Senedd Members. Meanwhile, new laws to end profit from the care of looked-after children, and to transform bus services in Wales, have already passed into law. Sticking with transport, local authorities can now apply for a new £110 million fund to improve local transport. One of the projects set to benefit is for Llanidloes schools – to make it easier, safer and more pleasant for children to walk, wheel and cycle. Funding is also available for organisations across Wales to develop Smart Local Energy Systems. The £10 million Ynni Cymru grant scheme forms part of Wales' ambitious goal to generate 100 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2035. Wales has the most generous offer for UK learners at £40 a week – to help with costs such as transport and materials. The income threshold has been raised, meaning even more learners will be eligible this year. In other news, the government has set out plans to help farmers boost nature in our National Parks and National Landscapes. The £1.8 million Ffermio Bro scheme will provide practical support and dedicated funding for nature-friendly farming. At the same time, a new scheme aims to build a healthier and more resilient food system for Wales. The Community Food Strategy will connect Welsh producers with consumers – to strengthen local food systems, support community-led food projects and encourage healthy eating. Have you seen the video of the wild beaver on the Dyfi? After a 400-year absence, there are now four managed beaver enclosures in Wales, with an unknown number living in the wild. Fantastic! Of course, the health of our rivers is paramount to these majestic creatures. At the Senedd, I recently spoke on the Control of Agricultural Pollution Regulations. While the causes of river pollution are not limited to any one sector, agriculture remains one of the main contributors. The latest independent review of water quality in Wales recommends a crack-down on polluting activities, while reducing burdens on low-risk farming, and supporting innovation in farming practices.
South Wales Argus
26-04-2025
- South Wales Argus
Volunteers help save historic Tintern church from demolition
Around 35 people from National Landscapes recently helped clear the churchyard of St Mary's Church in Tintern, as part of a campaign by locals to restore the site. The ancient church has faced deterioration since being deconsecrated in the early 1970s and severely damaged by a fire in 1977, which gutted the roof and windows. Despite this, its picturesque location above Tintern Abbey makes it a cherished spot for walkers and visitors. A funding page has been set up for donations, and the Lower Wye Valley Buildings Preservation Trust (LWVBPT) is applying for grants. The plan is to maintain the church as a 'historic ruin,' similar to St James' Church across the river at Lancaut, and to transform the graveyard into a wildflower meadow. The LWVBPT hopes the church will become a tranquil space for 'quiet contemplation,' welcoming people of all faiths and none. The trust has invited more volunteers to join future clean-up activities during the summer. The next sessions are planned for Saturday, May 17, and a full-day event with the Gwent Wildlife Trust on June 3. Supporters are advised to bring their own clippers. To boost fundraising efforts, a series of talks are scheduled for the summer and autumn, featuring well-known names such as Magnum photographer David Hurn and historian Tim Ryan. Mr Hurn will be discussing his career journey from Wales to Hollywood, while Mr Ryan will deliver a talk titled 'Rescuing a Princess,' focusing on the history of the last Severn Ferry. The campaign to save St Mary's Church aims to preserve its historical and cultural significance while making it accessible to future generations. The trust is eager to see more people joining their efforts to save this historic site.
Telegraph
16-04-2025
- Telegraph
15 beautiful alternatives to the UK's crowded national parks
Snowdonia, the Lakes, Dartmoor, the Dales… the crowds, car parks, litter, the queues. The National Park brand has been so successful that sometimes it's a victim of its own success. All 15 of the UK's national parks allow rampant sheep farming; they also have huge herd-appeal. Where friends, family, neighbours and Instagram 'influencers' go, so does everyone else. But there's no need to join the gang. As well as 46 National Landscapes (formerly known as AONBs), the UK has 387 National Nature Reserves, the Wildlife Trusts manage 2,300 nature reserves, the RSPB has 222 reserves and the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust manages 10 sites. So, as spring blooms and summer fast approaches, why not consider these alternatives? 1. Swap Dartmoor for the Sperrin National Landscape Northern Ireland's Sperrin Mountains extend from the Strule Valley in the west to the perimeter of the Lough Neagh lowlands. It's an area of expansive moorland enlivened by narrow glens and deep valleys. The Sperrins has its own dedicated star-watching centre, OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory at Davagh Forest (also a mountain biking hotspot), four spectacular driving routes, and some great day walks – such as the Craignamaddy Circuit (12.8 miles), Robbers Table (9 miles) and Causeway Hill (9.5 miles). How to visit Ardtara Country House (028 7964 4490) has double rooms from £86, including breakfast. Take the ferry via Belfast or fly from Manchester to Derry with Ryanair from £135 return. 2. Swap Exmoor for Nidderdale National Landscape As soon as the sun comes out, the unoriginals head south and west. Go north and you'll find a far less well-trodden wilderness. Between Wharfedale and Harrogate, Nidderdale is a long, impressive dale divided by the River Nidd. The western side is mainly remote, wild-looking gritstone landscape with heather moorland. The eastern part is softer and more pastoral with rolling farmland, traditional hay meadows and sheltered river valleys. As well as natural attractions, top stops include the Victorian spa town of Ilkley, Hackfall, a beautiful woodland garden, and the dramatic ruins of Jervaulx Abbey. How to visit The Crescent Inn (01943 811250) has double rooms from £133, including breakfast. Take the train to Ilkley via Leeds. 3. Swap the Lake District for the Eden Valley West of the upper M6 is Wordsworth, Windermere and water pollution. To the east lies the paradisiacal Eden Valley. It's a mix of lush green countryside, traditional towns and quaint sandstone villages – some dating back to Viking times. Highlights include Lacy's Caves, carved out of sandstone, and the River Eden Benchmarks, 10 sculptures in dramatic settings, which serve as seats. To the south are the Howgill Fells, more peaceful than their Lakeland sisters and just as beautiful. The most scenic railway in England, the Settle to Carlisle, runs through the valley to Kirkby Stephen. How to visit Augill Castle (01768 341937) has double rooms from £206, including breakfast. Take the train to Kirkby Stephen. 4. Swap the New Forest for the North Wessex Downs National Landscape The North Wessex Downs, Alfred the Great country, is home to miles of quiet hiking trails, ancient sites like the Uffington White Horse, Savernake Forest, with its gnarled oaks, and the market towns of Marlborough and Hungerford. The area is rich in Neolithic sites, many positioned along the Great Stones Way. Watership Down is here, too, and there's an excellent 82-mile Sustrans bike route between Reading and Bath on the Kennet and Avon Canal – visiting idyllic country pubs, impressive aqueducts and the spectacular Caen Hill Flight of locks near Devizes. How to visit The Troutbeck Guest House (01980 671124) has double rooms from £160, including breakfast. Catch the train to Pewsey, from which it's a 10-minute taxi ride or 25 minutes by bus. 5. Swap Northumberland National Park for the North Pennines National Landscape Between the National Parks of the Yorkshire Dales and Northumberland, the North Pennines is the second largest of the National Landscapes and a Unesco Global Geopark. A largely upland area, it's dominated by wide-open heather moors, species-rich hay meadows, rivers and waterfalls, and almost a third of England's upland heathland and a similar proportion of its blanket bog. Standout sites include High Force on the River Tees (England's biggest waterfall) and the sweeping U-shaped valley of High Cup Gill above Dufton. Red squirrels, otters and rare arctic alpine plants are present, as well as tens of thousands of pairs of breeding wading birds and a whopping eighty per cent of England's black grouse. How to visit The Rose and Crown (01833 650213) has double rooms from £150, including breakfast. Penrith and Hexham railway stations are close to the park, respectively. 6. Swap the North York Moors for RSPB Bempton Cliffs Around half a million seabirds gather at RSPB Bempton Cliffs between March and August to roost and breed on the towering chalk cliffs. It's England's largest seabird colony, with important numbers of puffins, kittiwakes, razorbills, guillemots and gannets. The Cliff Top Trail, just two miles long, merits a couple of hours to enjoy the spectacle. There are longer walks to Buckton and Buckton Cliffs trig point, with superb views along the sands to Filey and Scarborough, and an 11.5-mile circular walk to Flamborough Head. How to visit The Crabpot Cottage Guest House (01262 850555) has double rooms from £85, including breakfast. Catch the train to Bridlington. It's 11 minutes by rail or half an hour by bus to Buckton, followed by a short walk to the RSPB site's visitor centre. 7. Swap the Peak District for Manchester's moorlands The famous north-south axis of the Pennine Way makes Edale and the Peak District magnets for walkers from the many large nearby urban areas and farther afield. But the north-east corner of the national park skirts Saddleworth Moor near Oldham. Why not go the whole hog and turn the edge into the centre? There are great trails, including the new, circular GM Ringway and popular Trans-Pennine Trail, and a decent metro system means you can combine hiking and biking with city fun and culture. How to visit Disbury House Hotel (0161 448 2200) has double rooms from £150, including breakfast. Take the train to Manchester Piccadilly or Victoria; branch lines run into the moorland countryside at Broadbottom, Greenfield and Stalybridge. 8. Swap the South Downs for the Kent Downs National Landscape If Kent is the Garden of England, then the Kent Downs National Landscape is its wild-ish heart. Stretching from the London/Surrey border all the way to the Straits of Dover, it encompasses precious chalk grassland, woodlands, traditional orchards and heathland. The Downs rise to more than 750 feet, cresting in a prominent escarpment above the Weald to the south. Highlights include the North Downs Way Art Trail, the North Downs Way National Trail and the historic attractions of Canterbury and Chatham, both on the northern edge of the park. How to visit Eastwell Manor (0843 561 2019) has double rooms from £204, including breakfast. Ashford International (for St Pancras and Eurostar services) is a 15-minute drive, while Canterbury is 30 minutes away by car. 9. Swap the Yorkshire Dales for the West Pennine Moors Lancashire's lateral spur doesn't get the attention, or boot-traffic, of the main Pennine spine, but delivers many of the same natural highs. It's easy to combine bracing walks up to Rivington Pike and the Winter Hill TV mast, Darwen Tower and Pendle Hill summit with tours of industrial history sites and cultural experiences in Burnley (Queen Street Mill and Gawthorpe and Towneley halls are must-sees) and Clitheroe (with its castle ruins). There's great food and pubs in the Ribble Valley. The new Two Toms Trail links Whalley to the Pennine Way via Nelson and Earby and the last surviving Clarion House. How to visit Northcote (01254 240555) has double rooms from £300, including breakfast. Access the moors via Bolton, Darwen or Clitheroe railway stations. 10. Swap Loch Lomond & The Trossachs for the Antrim Coast and Glens Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Just to the east of the Giant's Causeway, the heart of Northern Ireland's Antrim Coast and Glens AONB is the Antrim Plateau, rising to 1,600 feet and riven by picturesque glens running east and north-east towards the sea. The area has a long settlement history and abounds in archaeological sites, listed buildings, historic monuments and conservation areas. On a clear day, there are superb views eastwards to the Scottish Islands and the Mull of Kintyre. The AONB contains Northern Ireland's only inhabited offshore island – Rathlin. How to visit Ballygally Castle (028 2858 1066) has double rooms from £150, including breakfast. Catch the ferry to Larne and catch a local bus to Ballygally. 11. Swap the Cairngorms for the Flow Country The Flow Country – given Unesco status last summer – is the largest area of blanket bog on earth. Damaged in the Seventies and Eighties following a botched forestry scheme, the area is now being allowed to recover, which is good for the planet – peat is a vital carbon store – and native fauna. The main railway line from Wick and Thurso to Inverness train runs on an embankment and you can ride through ogling the glistening pools, rivulets and spongy peatland. Merlin, short-eared owls and golden eagles hunt over the mosses and pools. Divers, plover and greenshank feed and nest in the wetlands. Combine explorations around this Patagonia-like wilderness with whisky tasting and coast walks. How to visit Mackays (01955 602323) has double rooms from £97, including breakfast. Catch the train to Wick, which is at the end of the Far North Line. 12. Swap the Pembrokeshire Coast for Carmarthenshire Carmarthenshire – or Sir Gâr – known as the Garden of Wales, is where the M4 runs out, though that doesn't stop travellers speeding through without looking. They are missing a trick. The Wales Coast Path here is wonderful, winding through ancient Carmarthen, around the Llansteffan peninsula and into lovely Laugharne, with its castle ruins, Dylan Thomas sites and great pubs. Close to Llandeilo is the Black Mountain range at the western end of the Brecon Beacons. Okay, it's a bit of a cheat as it's part of a national park, but this side gets nothing like the tourist traffic of the area around Pen y Fan. How to visit The Mansion House (01267 241515) has double rooms from £280, including breakfast. The mainline train goes to Carmarthen. The Heart of Wales line stops in Llandeilo and Llandovery. 13. Swap Snowdonia for the Llŷn National Landscape Walk out of Aberdaron on the Wales Coast Path and you can look back on Snowdonia and congratulate yourself for choosing calm and coast over crowds and queues. The Llŷn National Landscape covers a quarter of its namesake peninsula and is a patchwork of heritage and nature-rich, scenic, spiritually uplifting areas. It boasts 22 Sites of Special Scientific Interest, is known for its rare breeding choughs, has several sites associated with the poet RS Thomas and contains car-free Bardsey Island – the so-called 'Island of 20,000 Saints'. Need a mountain? Yr Eifl, or The Rivals, is the highest point on the Llyn Peninsula in North Wales and has three peaks. Garn Ganol, the central summit, is the highest at 1,841 feet. How to visit Porth Tocyn (01758 713303) has double rooms from £165, including breakfast. The Cambrian Line connects Pwllheli and Criccieth to the mainline to Chester and London. 14. Swap the Brecon Beacons for the Valleys Only a sliver of land separates these two famous Welsh regions, but a world of history, culture, characterisation and human geography. The Valleys are an exhilarating combination of one-time industrial crucible and natural drama, made up of bulbous mountains, fast-flowing rivers and streams, magnificent moorlands and rewilded slagheaps. Bypassed by park-bound backpackers and beach-bound families alike, their famous towns – Merthyr, Pontypridd, Ebbw Vale – pioneered locomotive power, nonconformism, Chartism, the rugby of the Rhondda forward, choral music, Welsh boxing, and much else bsides. As well as cultural and natural attractions, the region is home to BikePark Wales – the UK's most diverse selection of all-weather mountain bike trails; Zip World Tower Colliery, which has four ziplines, with two-seater rides, speeds of up to 70mph and child-friendly ziplines; and the excellent Big Pit interactive mining-history museum. How to visit Celtic Manor Resort (01633 413000) has double rooms from £192, including breakfast. Trains go up and down the Valleys from Newport, Swansea and Port Talbot. 15. Swap The Broads for Birmingham You might have read in these pages of an audacious plan to turn Brum and its burbs into the West Midlands National Park. Well, why not put theory into practice? Birmingham looks built-up, but it has urban parks, waterways and a rich patchwork of environments – from heathland to pastoral settings to wooded areas, including Shakespeare's Forest of Arden. Around the margins are areas evocative of the ancient shires absorbed by the West Midlands in 1965. Walk the towpaths or hire a canal boat to observe the hidden story of the UK's second city. You can visit Hindu temples, eat delicious Indian food and go back in time at the Black Country Living Museum, one of the UK's finest family-friendly visitor experiences. How to visit
