I recently wrote a blog on the South Downs, the latest area designated a National Park. This led me to wondering about how the notion of ‘national parks’ came about.
In the early 19th cetury, in response to industrustrialisation and movement of people into ever growing towns and cities, people became aware of the value of the countryside to health and well being. At the same time landowners were fencing more and more land and conflict arose between the ‘right to roam’ and the rights of the land owners.
This culminated in a mass trespass on Kinder Scout, a particularly wild and beautiful part of the Derbyshire Peak District. Five people were impprisoned. This turned the tide and eventually in 1949 the government passed an Act of Parliament to establish National Parks to preserve and enhance their natural beauty and provide recreational opportunities for the public.
Learn more about our beautiful National Parks
