Discover Britain's

15 National Parks

 These large, protected areas are designated to preserve their natural beauty, wildlife, and cultural heritage. Each Park has its own OS Short Walks Guide

 Full of Life, Adventure and Inspiration

 We British live on a compact, beautiful group of islands, small yet with such contrast. It is as if nature intended a multitude of landscapes, and in amongst them, pockets of sheer beauty, so remarkable, so picturesque where different ways of life spill out to enchant and cast their spell.  

 England's Northern Group of Five National Parks 

The five national parks form a cluster of tranquility often within about sixty miles or less from each other. The Yorkshire Dales at their centre, is bounded in the west by the Lake District and in the east the North Yorkshire Moors. The Peak District in the south is connected by the Pennine Way to Northumberland. With a little imagination the cluster forms roughly into the Cross of St George, its horizontal axis created by Wainwright's Coast to Coast and the Hadrian's Wall Walk. 

The Ambleside Inn, Ambleside, the Lake District - Just click the image to book your autumn and winter break on the shores of Windermere. Just one of the Inn Group Collection of Lake District Inns.

Plan Ahead with Ordnance Survey

OS has a host of guidebooks and maps to help you plan a visit to any of our

Northern National Parks from short walks to adventure hikes

Short Walks in the Lake District

This guidebook contains ten leisurely walks for all in the Lake District National Park. No previous country walking experience is required! All routes are low level, between 2½ and 5 miles in length, set amid stunning scenery and can be completed all year round with no need for specialist walking gear. Information is provided where a train or bus can be used to reach the walk location, and accessibility is highlighted for pushchairs and wheelchairs.



Water and Trees by Lake and Mountains

Circular Walks the Peak District

Uncover 28 beautiful circular walks around the Peak District with the OS Pathfinder Guidebooks, graded by length and ranging from 3 ½ to 11 ¼ miles.

The Peak District's landscape varies dramatically, with historic towns and dramatic rolling hills. You can discover routes through the White Peak area of the South - with pastoral countryside criss-crossed by dry stone - or take on more challenging walks in the rugged Dark Peak of the north, characterised by distinctive gritstone.

Brown Trees in Mountain View

Short Walks in Yorkshire Dales

This guide contains ten family-friendly and easy-paced short, circular walks across the Yorkshire Dales National Park. You can visit some famously spectacular sites like Malham Cove, but some less well known ones such as Dentdale, with public transport options to get there. The guide features accessible old railway and riverside routes, and includes museums/heritage centres to make a grand day out.

Walks take you to awesome natural wonders like Malham Cove and the tumultuous waterfalls at Kisdon Force; pass along tranquil riversides at Grassington and Kirkby Stephen; take you under the towering Ribblehead Viaduct; and lead you to far-reaching views above Buckden and film locations for All Creatures Great and Small.

Grey Cliff Face above green grass

Ordnance Survey have a series of challenging walks for the superfit or seasoned hiker

click the button below to visit the experience

Short Walks in Northumberland

Discover ten leisurely walks across the Northumberland County with the OS Short Walks Made Easy guidebook for Northumberland. No previous country walking experience is required. All routes are between 2 and 5 miles in length, set amid stunning scenery and can be completed all year round with no need for specialist walking gear. Information is provided where a train or bus can be used to reach the walk location, and accessibility is highlighted for pushchairs and wheelchairs.

Castle on Hill above white sandy beach

Short Walks North York Moors

Discover ten leisurely walks in the North York Moors with the OS Short Walks Made Easy guidebook. No previous country walking experience is required. All routes are between 2½ and 4½ miles in length, set amid stunning scenery and can be completed all year round with no need for specialist walking gear. Information is provided where a train or bus can be used to reach the walk location, and accessibility is highlighted for pushchairs and wheelchairs.

Black steam engine at station

Short Walks in Bowland Forest

This guide contains ten family-friendly and easy-paced short, circular walks covering the Bowland AONB. The turn-by-turn route directions with waypoint photos guide you safely to pretty villages, historic towns and along accessible waterside trails, across fells and through forest. You can read about the ghosts of Lancaster Castle, you can enjoy riparian rambles along the Lune and Ribble, and strolls beside the Lancaster and Leeds & Liverpool canals, identify moorland wildlife and find scenic picnic sites or cafés to complete your day.

Brown bridge over blue water

England's Five Southern National Parks

Our Southern Parks stretch across the width of England, in the east the Norfolk Broads, a water wonderland, quiet, undisturbed countryside and villages. The most recent of our national parks, the South Downs stretches from Eastbourne through England's green and gentle countryside to Winchester, and there, just a few miles further the New Forest, nurtured since ancient times for its wildlife, its calm.  In the west the dramatic landscape of Dartmoor, riven with folklore and legend. Lapping the shores of the Bristol Channel Exmoor has spectacular hill top views across Dartmoor, the Quantock Hills, out in the channel spot porpoise and dolphins.  Exmoor's cliffs are home to some of the most important seabird colonies. 

Short Walks Norfolk and Broads

This guide features ten family-friendly and easy-paced short walks across Norfolk, England. Featuring walks in both the Broads National Park, from Aylsham to Burgh Castle, and the Norfolk Coast National Landscape, from The Wash to Winterton-onSea, this guide visits some of the most outstandingly beautiful places in this area.

Walks cover rivers, broads, beaches, salt marsh, woodland, and clifftop views.

There are 10 easy-going walks suitable for the whole family, no walking experience needed! All routes between 2 to 4 miles in distance and can be completed all year round Know what to expect before you go: Information on locations of cafes/pubs and toilets, terrain, hilliness and accessibility for pushchairs and wheelchairs

Flock of birds over brown grass and blue water

Short Walks along South Downs

Discover ten leisurely walks in the South Downs National Park  Some of the walks include

  • Bramber
  • Devil’s Dyke & Saddlescombe
  • Southease & Rodmell
  • Alfriston
  • Seven Sisters Country Park

No previous country walking experience is required. All routes are between 2½ and 4¾ miles in length, set amid stunning scenery and can be completed all year round with no need for specialist walking gear. Information is provided where a train or bus can be used to reach the walk location, and accessibility is highlighted for pushchairs and wheelchairs.

Brown hills with green grass meadow and distant blue sea

Short Walks in the New Forest

This guide features ten family-friendly and easy-paced short walks within the New Forest, England almost wholly within Hampshire, with 26 miles of coastline. It has a wonderful mix of habitats including ancient woodland, heathland, valley mires, grassland, salt marsh and rivers. These habitats support over 20,000 species of animals, plants and fungi and the New Forest is internationally recognised as an important conservation designation. Witness the New Forest’s natural beauty and wildlife and appreciate its tranquillity on these easy-paced walks, where you can spot wading birds, geese and ducks around Keyhaven, and find an ancient yew tree in Brockenhurst.

Brown Horses on Bridlepath

Short Walks on Dartmoor

Dartmoor is part of a vast, raised granite plateau forming the largest area of wild country in southern Britain. It was designated as a national park in 1951 and covers an area of 368 square miles between Okehampton and Ivybridge, north to south, and Tavistock and Bovey Tracey, west to east.

This walking guidebook contains a collection of easy walks around Dartmoor.

  • 10 easy-going walks of 1 to 4 miles
  • Stunning scenery: tors, woods and sparkling rivers
  • Easy parking and public transport
  • Refreshment stops
  • Suitability for dogs
  • Gain access to all routes in the book via the OS Maps App


Brown moorland hills and green trees

Short Walks around Exmoor

This guide features ten family-friendly and easy-paced short walks within Exmoor National Park, England. Situated in South West England, lying two-thirds in Somerset and one-third in Devon, with stunning views across the Bristol Channel. Walks cover coastline, woodland, moorland, rivers and an abundance of history. Ten easy-going walks suitable for the whole family, no walking experience needed! All routes between 1 to 4 miles in distance and can be completed all year round. Follow numbered points and route photographs which tie maps to route descriptions and walk profiles

Enhance your adventure with stories behind each walk and nature notes. Get active outside and enjoy the physical and mental health benefits.

Grey Hills, brown grass below blue sky

Short Walks along Cornish Coast

Explore the incredible diversity of the Cornish coast with ten family friendly and easy-paced walks along Cornwall’s coastal areas of outstanding natural beauty. Enjoy dramatic wild and rugged cliffs and coves, lushly wooded valleys, and exotic subtropical gardens, topped off with a delicious Cornish ice cream or two. Ten easy-to-follow leisurely walks with a distance from 1.5 to 4.5 miles. Navigate your way with simplified mapping, route profiles, turn-by-turn instructions, or walk photography. Packed with essential information for easy planning with public transport links, parking spots, terrain and footwear information plus Refreshment stops including pubs and cafes and Public toilet markers.

White buildings red fishing boats above blue water

English Heritage

With over 400 locations throughout the length and breadth of England you are certain to find a excitement and interest for all the family

Where will you go Next

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Shop your Heritage

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Enjoy Historic Events

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The Five National Parks of Scotland and Wales

The Welsh and Scottish National Parks form the largest group in terms of area, in excess of 15,500 km2 and the least populated with around just 10 people per km2, mainly in the small towns and settlements in each region.  The five parks are rugged and remote, certainly the two Scottish National Parks with the least number of visitors per year.  The Welsh National Parks are favoured for their mountains, lakes and coastal walks. If cycling, hiking and trekking are for you, then head to Scotland or Wales.  Wildlife in these remote areas are an experience to remember. 

Short Walks on Cairngorms

Discover ten leisurely walks in the Spey Valley area of the national park for Aviemore and the Cairngorms. No previous country walking experience is required. All routes are between 2 and 5 miles in length, set amid stunning scenery and can be completed all year round with no need for specialist walking gear. Information is provided where a train or bus can be used to reach the walk location, and accessibility is highlighted for pushchairs and wheelchairs.

Sandy beach by shore with green hills and blue sky

Short Walks Loch Lomond

Centred on Loch Lomond, Britain’s largest loch, and the Great Trossachs Forest, Scotland’s largest nature reserve, this guide features ten family friendly, easy-going walks throughout the national park. An intoxicating infusion of scenery, wildlife, history, and mythology that can be enjoyed by all the family. Ten easy-to-follow leisurely walks.  Distances between 2 to 4.5 miles. Navigate your way with simplified mapping, route profiles, turn-by-turn instructions, and walk photography.

Snow covered mountains, footpath and lake

Short Walks around Fort William

This guide features ten family-friendly and easy-paced short walks within the Scottish Highlands. Covering an area from Mallaig, on the west coast, to the Great Glen, and extending to the shore of Loch Sunart, the routes in this guide give a taste of some wild and remote country on safe, carefully selected short walks. Walks cover mountains, lochs, woodland, and coast. Ten easy-going walks suitable for the whole family, no walking experience needed!

Statue with Highland  Mountains

Circular Walks Brecon Beacons

165 miles of fabulous walking in Brecon Beacons from the watery peacefulness of Llangors Lake to the mountainous challenge of Pen y Fan. Explore 28 beautiful walks across Brecon Beacons with the OS Pathfinder Guidebooks, graded by length and ranging from 3 ½ to 9 miles.

The Brecon Beacons National Park contains four separate mountain ranges including the Black Mountains and the Beacons themselves. Most of the area is underlain by old red sandstone, unlike the more rugged mountains of North Wales. Several walks explore this terrain of smooth, sweeping grassy uplands and wide, open vistas, including the Brecon Beacons Horseshoe.


Green tabletop mountain with cloudy sky

Circular Walks Pembroke Coast

Discover 28 beautiful walks through Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire with the OS Pathfinder Guidebooks, graded by length and ranging from 2 to 9 miles.

Make the most out of your next trip to the Pembrokeshire & Carmarthenshire. This guide includes some of the most spectacular coastal scenery and finest stretches of coastal path in Britain.

Many of the walks use parts of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, including the splendid cliff scenery around the peninsula of Dinas Island to the west of Port Eynon Bay, to the wooded stretches between Saundersfoot and Tenby.

This is one of a series of books with great walking routes covering the most popular and scenic areas of Britain.

Rocky coastline blue sea and gravel beach

Short Walks around Snowdonia

Immerse yourself in 20 beautiful country walks around Snowdonia with the OS Pathfinder Guidebooks, graded by length and ranging from two to nearly six miles.

Make the most out of your next trip to Snowdonia! This guide has easy to follow instructions, contains an extract of the OS map for the area, and some background on the history and natural environment you may discover.

The mountains of Snowdonia are majestic but do contain some challenging rides. However, there is so much more to this mountainous region, with many low-level walks through delightful valleys ranging from narrow and steep-sided, to green and open.

Shallow river scene with brown buildings a bridge, green trees and blue sky