Discover National Parks Fortnight: The family-friendly things to do in every UK national park
Ahead of National Parks Fortnight (April 6 to 21), Sun Online Travel has rounded up the best things to do with the kids this year
THE next couple of weeks is Discover National Parks Fortnight, which encourages Brits to literally head for the hills and enjoy the great outdoors.
There are a total of 15 parks to choose from across England, Wales and Scotland - and there's guaranteed fun for all the family.
While long walks to enjoy the stunning scenery might be the most obvious option, there are also other ways to keep children occupied.
Here is a handy guide for what to do with your kids at each of the UK's National Parks.
Wales
Snowdonia
As the first national park in Wales, named in 1951, there is an abundance of activities to do with children.
One of the most popular things to do is Zip World (tickets from £65), home to the longest zip line in the world, with top speeds of 125mph.
A popular excursion is the National Slate Mine (free entry), which explains the history of the region, with many of the tools and equipment still preserved.
Otherwise grab the train at Snowdon Mountain Railway (tickets from £11), which takes you past the waterfalls and ruined chapel in the park.
Brecon Beacons
The best place to entertain the children is the National Showcaves Centre for Wales (tickets from £12), which has caves to explore, a dinosaur park and a museum.
Otherwise hop on the Brecon Mountain Railway (£23 per person), which takes you along the lake by steam train.
History fans have a choice of castles, with Crickhowell Castle, Carreg Cennen Castle and Tretower Court offering great interactive activities inside to keep kids entertained.
Pembrokeshire Coast
While slightly chilly, children can splash about on the rocks at the Blue Lagoon, while watching the brave leap into the water from the cliff.
St Davids Bishops Palace (tickets from £2.50) is also great for kids to roam, with the ruins of the medieval palace offering great hiding places.
As the only coastal national park, exploring one of the many beaches is always advised - try Whitesands Bay.
Scotland
Cairngorms National Park
Perhaps the most famous part of Cairngorms is Balmoral Castle (tickets from £6), the home of the royal family, which you can visit throughout the year.
Otherwise, head to Landmark Forest Adventure Park (tickets from £6.10), which features climbing walls, a roller-coaster and a high-wire adventure course.
Animal fans should head to the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre (tickets from £9) for the only wild reindeer in the UK.
But be quick - you can't book tickets beforehand and they are on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Loch Lomond and The Trossachs
Within the first Scottish national park are a number of lakes, meaning water activities are popular with visitors.
Fishing, kayaking, canoeing and river cruises can be found at many of the lochs, with Loch Lomond the largest of them.
Otherwise the popular Go Ape (tickets from £20) can be found in the park, which is fun for both adults and children.
England
Lake District
Not only is the Lake District the largest national park in the country, its popularity with poets and writers make it an exciting location with history.
The World of Beatrix Potter (tickets from £3.95) is perfect for fans of the books, as well to learn about the link between Beatrix and the park - the author left all of her Lake District land to the National Trust.
Outdoor activities can be found at Grizedale Forest, where there are rope courses and a sculpture trail, or at Brockhole (tickets from £2), which features mini golf and archery.
Otherwise, young artists will love the Derwent Pencil Museum (tickets from £3.95), which is home to a pencil measuring almost 8m long and has regular drawing activities.
Peak District
Within the first national park in the UK is Chatsworth House (tickets from £7), built in the 1600s.
It has a playground and farmyard to entertain even the youngest of visitor.
A tour of the underground mines can be found at Peak Cavern (tickets from £10.75), where you can go on a guided tour of the unusual rocks.
There is even a boat trip that takes you through the caves, 450m (1,476ft) underground.
While not quite within the park, Alton Towers and Gulliver's Valley are just a stone's throw from it too.
Dartmoor
Dartmoor Zoo (tickets from £9.85) is the perfect place for animal lovers with 33 acres of conservation areas.
It is also hard to miss the famous Dartmoor ponies roaming the landscape.
Parents can head to Lydford Gorge (tickets from £5), which is owned by the National Trust, for a wooded trail featuring a 30m (98ft) waterfall, as well as a cafe and kids' play area.
Yorkshire Dales
Find the Forbidden Corner (tickets from £11) and kids can have fun in the walled garden, which has tunnels, statues and weird rooms to explore.
There are also lots of caves, including Gaping Gill (tickets £15) - home to a 98m (322ft) deep pothole - and White Scar Cave (tickets from £6.95), the longest show cave in the UK.
If the weather is good, then Kilnsey Park shouldn't be missed, with pony rides and nature trails where you can spot local wildlife and bugs.
Exmoor National Park
Kids who love heights will love the Lynton Cliff Railway (tickets from £3.90), the highest and steepest water-powered railway in the world.
Otherwise grab your swimsuit and head to Wimbleball Lake, where you can learn to kayak, windsurf and boat.
Combe Martin Wildlife & Dinosaur Park (tickets from £11.99) is a favourite of young kids with train rides, a fossil museum and life size animatronic dinosaurs.
Exmoor is also known for its ponies, so a visit to the Exmoor Pony Centre (free entry) shouldn't be missed.
Northumberland National Park
History fans will find the Roman Army Museum (tickets from £6.85) interesting - it contains artefacts from Hadrian's Wall.
Or for a scare, the Silvas Capitalis head at Kielder Water & Forest Park is a creepy art exhibit within the nature trail where children can climb and listen to the forest through.
North York Moors
An 18 mile steam train through the North Yorkshire Railway (tickets from £3.30) is the best way to see the park.
Along the way, a stop at Whitby Abbey (tickets from £5.30), the castle that inspired Dracula.
Young fans will also enjoy the Dracula Experience (tickets from £2.50), which offers a unique tour with actors and special effects.
For more history, the Museum of Victorian Science (tours from £20) will thrill everyone with its interactive exhibits revealing the gadgets of the past, before ending with tea and cake.
The Broads National Park
The Broads is the smallest national park in the UK.
Head to BeWILDerwood (tickets from £14.95), a tree-house adventure park, or Pettiits Animal Adventure Park (tickets from £14.45), which features Jurassic crazy golf, driving schools and rides.
Otherwise, just enjoy watching the relaxing seals at Horsey Gap beach.
South Downs National Park
With more than 170 exotic animals, Marwell Zoo (tickets from £15.29) is on the borders of the South Downs, while the other end has Drusillas Park (tickets from £17.50), a smaller zoo with park.
Fancy feeding the penguins? Birdworld (tickets from £6.95) offers just that, and there's a safari train to take you across the 26 acres of parkland.
Science lovers can head to the Winchester Planetarium (tickets from £6.60) to spend the day.
New Forest National Park
One of the most popular things to do in the New Forest is Peppa Pig World (tickets from £30.50) with rides and animal feeding.
For more animal fun, the New Forest Wildlife Park (tickets from £8.50) allows kids to watch wolves, lynxes and otters play with keeper shows.
There could soon be even more national parks, with Michael Gove saying the "time was right" to look at protecting more lands.
To celebrate 70 years of national parks, the UK National Parks and Campaign for National Parks launched a competition to find the best pictures of the country.
More than 1,500 pictures were sent in of the breathtaking landscape.