The United Kingdom has 14 national parks, 9 in England, 3 in Wales, and two in Scotland. National parks are managed areas of outstanding landscape where habitation and commercial activities are restricted. The first three were established in England in 1951. A 15th national park is proposed in the South Downs.
For details of the status of the national parks in the United Kingdom and for links to each individual one, please see the articles about the various parts of the UK.
Twelve areas are designated as national parks in England and Wales, and a 13th (South Downs) is in the process of being designated.
The nine national parks in England cover around 7% of the land area of England, while the three national parks in Wales cover around 20% of the land area of Wales.
No national parks have been designated in Northern Ireland, but there are moves to establish Northern Ireland's first national park in the Mourne Mountains.
