Inspiring Places, Inspiring People
26 July to 1 August 2010
National Parks Week: Inspiring Places – Inspiring people
Issued: 15 July 2010
National Parks across the UK are looking forward to welcoming more visitors than ever this summer as people decide to holiday at home. With National Parks Week coming up at the end of the month, there will be plenty to enjoy then and throughout the summer months.
Britain’s wild open spaces have long inspired artists, musicians and writers and this year National Parks’ Week will celebrate the cultural heritage of the UK’s 15 members of the National Park family.
In addition to the special themed events in many National Parks, there is information about people in National Parks who have been inspired by their beautiful surroundings, in the past and the present day. Short video clips showing a selection of these 'local heroes' will are also available.
Inspiring - one historical and one contemporary 'local hero' from each of the 15 National Parks
Videos - interview with a contemporary artist, introduction to Exmoor ponies and how the history of Pembrokeshire is heard in its language
Quirky ancient monuments are also featured, with each National Park selecting a couple of their favourites from the thousands on offer. Many are open to the public and make an interesting addition to a visit.
Historic places to visit - two sites in each of the 15 National Parks.
Events to enjoy during the week include ‘Hands on Heritage’ in Dartmoor National Park – with activities, quizzes, dig boxes and demonstrations; an art workshop in Snowdonia National Park; a chance to find out more about life in the Iron Age at an Open Day at a hillfort on Exmoor; a medieval fayre in Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and a tour of some of the places that inspired Sir Walter Scott’s epic poem ‘The Lady of the Lake’ in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park.
National Parks Week events - all events across all 15 National Parks.
Notes to editors:
- There are 15 members of the National Parks family. These are the Brecon Beacons, Dartmoor, Exmoor, Lake District, New Forest, Northumberland, North York Moors, Peak District, South Downs, Pembrokeshire Coast, Snowdonia, Yorkshire Dales, Loch Lomond & the Trossachs and the Cairngorms. The Broads is a member of the National Parks ‘family’.
- National Parks have the highest landscape protection for their outstanding beauty and special qualities. They are an important part of the nation’s cultural heritage.
- Land area covered by National Parks: 9.3% of England, 19.9% of Wales and 7.2% of Scotland.
- National Parks are there for everyone to enjoy, free of charge, 24/7, 365 days of the year.
- National Parks Week aims to raise the profile of National Parks and to encourage more people to enjoy them – particularly children and families.
- More than 125 million visitor days are spent in National Parks per year. These special areas are an important part of the nation’s heritage and are here for everyone to enjoy.
