The following information comes from Jonathan Avis, the Policy Assistant at the Council for National Parks.
“The National Parks in Britain are areas of outstanding natural beauty that merit special protection. The Peak District was the first National Park to be designated in Britain, in 1951, and eleven National Parks have been designated in England and Wales since the 1949 National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act. National Parks were designated for two purposes: to conserve and enhance their natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage; and to promote opportunities for the public understanding and enjoyment of their special qualities (such as beautiful landscapes, tranquillity, and rich wildlife).
The Government regards National Park designation as conferring the highest status of protection as far as landscape and scenic beauty are concerned – these are very special areas that must be protected now, and for future generations, from threats such as major developments, destructive land uses, congestion and pollution. To help achieve this, each National Park has its own National Park Authority, a public body that administers and manages the Park. The Parks are also working ‘living landscapes’, however, being important areas for agriculture, tourism, and other businesses – the Parks have been shaped by human use for centuries, giving them a rich cultural heritage and a wealth of historic buildings, villages and towns. This combination of natural beauty, a rich cultural heritage, diverse wildlife, and fantastic opportunities for recreation and enjoyment by the public means that National Parks continue to be Britain’s most loved and most valued areas of countryside.”