Telegraph readers debate where England’s new national park should be – from Dorset to the Pennines
The search is on for the country’s “most beautiful nature spots” as Natural England has announced that it will consider possible sites for a new national park, as promised in the last Tory election manifesto.
Telegraph readers took to the comments section and sent in responses via the Politics newsletter to have their say on which area should become England’s 11th national park, and was deserving of the greater protection that comes with the elevated status.
The Cotswolds, the Pennines and Dorset were among favourites with readers, although a multitude of options were voiced. Read on for their selections, and vote in our poll below to have your say.
‘The nearest thing in England to a wilderness’
Reader James Lalor has “for many years taken the view that there should be a ‘North Downs National Park’, a logical coda to the inauguration of its twin, the South Downs.”
He continues: “The beautiful Surrey and Kent countryside has no such recognition; a grievous oversight. Geoffrey Chaucer must be turning in his grave.”
Meanwhile, Jeffrey Hobbs suggests the North Pennines, which is presently a National Landscape, formerly referred to as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). “Although this area receives some recognition and protection, it should be upgraded to the level of the Yorkshire Dales, Lake District and Northumberland National Parks which surround it.”
“The North Pennines not only has some wonderful hill landscapes like Cross Fell and High Cup, it also contains the emptiest and wildest areas of England. It is the nearest thing in England to a wilderness. There are locations with very rare mountain wild flowers. All this deserves to be better appreciated,” Mr Hobbs comments.
‘Not only wild countryside, but industrial heritage’
Similarly, John Anderson believes the South Pennines makes a good case, and that national park status would take pressure off the Dales or Peak District.
“There is not only wild countryside, but a rich industrial heritage that could be developed enormously. The Northern Powerhouse could add to transport, heritage or sport and accommodation provision. The Bronte house in Thornton has just been saved for the Nation. Plus, we have Gentleman Jack in Halifax, the glory of Salts Mill and the stunning David Hockney exhibition. Let’s hope it wins,” Mr Anderson writes.
From a practical standpoint, Robert Adams agrees the South Pennines would be his preferred choice, “because a continuous corridor will be created, it will also help with levelling up.”
‘Come and see all the overwintering birds’
“Above and beyond all other areas of England is the Northumberland coastline,” Julie and Ian Hawksby state.
“It has breathtaking, unspoilt natural beauty, as well as a plethora of amazing castles. It is universally known and loved – highlighted recently by the national and international outcry when the Sycamore Gap tree was felled.”
Meanwhile, Barry Colgate proposes Chichester Harbour, including some of its surrounding villages. He explains “it is an AONB already and would link very neatly with the South Downs National Park. It would also mean that the area would be given additional protection from unwarranted development.”
He continues: “Locally we are hugely concerned about over-development in and around Chichester Harbour, with all the adverse effects such developments bring, particularly in the discharge of sewage.
Therefore, “making Chichester Harbour a national park would add a significant layer of protection to this outstandingly beautiful area of our countryside – come and see all the over-wintering birds, for example.”
‘I was more taken by the beautiful and historic towns’
In the Cotswolds’ corner was John Goodier, who highlights that the area “has national and international recognition already, is beautiful, and has unique architecture.”
“It would be a large national park in the southern Midlands of England – an area devoid of national parks – and it is within easy access of the Birmingham/Black Country and Bristol/Bath areas,” he explains.
Sharing in John Goodier’s sentiment is Tony A, who “having spent half-term near Stroud and visited the beautiful Cotswold towns, I can see the attraction.”
However, he points out that “some roads are very busy; there are some mammoth towns, and the eye-catching beauty is often less dramatic than other places.”
In fact, he “was more taken by the beautiful and historic towns than the landscape – despite walking eight to 12 miles a day. I’ll definitely go back, to walk in the footsteps of Laurie Lee, but I’m not convinced re the whole of the Cotswolds becoming a national park.”
More Telegraph readers got in touch to share their honourable mentions, including the Lincolnshire Olnshire Wold; the Borders between Northumberland and former Cumberland; Bodmin Moor and West Penwith in Cornwall.
