TripAdvisor’s top 10 European national parks have been revealed
It's often been argued that Britain some of the very best natural countryside, scenery and green space in the world - a claim that has now been backed up by latest TripAdvisor Awards.
Travel became something of an abstract concept in 2020.
With borders closed, trains cancelled, planes grounded, and invisible lines drawn up between regions throughout the year, the prospect of ‘escape’ was limited to our local surroundings – prompting many of us to set out on foot and nosey around for any hidden gems lying on our doorsteps.
As it turns out, there was plenty to enjoy.
By summer, 39% of people said they were walking more than they had before the pandemic, discovering the joys of local landscapes in the process.
Avid hikers are often reiterating the claim that Britain is home to some of the best countrysides and green space in the world.
ADVERTISEMENT
It appears they might be right, if the latest TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards are considered a worthy yardstick.
The world’s largest online travel platform has collated visitor ratings and officially ranked the top national parks all around Europe – and three are right here in Britain.
ADVERTISEMENT
2020 was dubbed the ‘year of the walker’, and so far, 2021 is following in its footsteps. So, when restrictions ease a little – hopefully in time for summer – we can take note of these recommendation and bring our newfound love for strolling into highly-rated territory.
Here are the UK parks that made the list.
Yorkshire Dales National Park
Yorkshire Dales / FreeIMG
The Yorkshire Dales didn’t just rank highest of all the British green spaces on TripAdviser’s list.
ADVERTISEMENT
It actually made the very top spot: The best national park in Europe.
Considered to be the creme-de-la-creme of countryside, the Yorkshire Dales came above Vatnajokull National Park in Iceland (the biggest national park in the continent) and Plitvice Lakes National Park – which contains 50 stunning acres of forest and lake in Croatia – to rank number one.
It’s a big honour, but anyone who’s visited the Dales will understand why it managed to score so highly.
Boasting a rugged natural beauty filled with rolling green hills and towering woodlands soaked in a dozen different shades of autumn hues, the Yorkshire Dales is mighty and magnificent – managing somehow to be both radiant and haunting all at once.
What’s more, it’s full of things to do.
ADVERTISEMENT
According to TripAdviser, there are as many as 147 sights and/or activities to tick off on a trip to Yorkshire’s untamed countryside.
Definitely one to tick off in the future if you haven’t already.
Peak District National Park
Peak District / Image: SnappyGoat
The fourth best national park in Europe will be music to the ears of many Mancunians.
It’s the beautiful, bewitching 555 square miles of the Peak District National Park.
Crossing multiple counties (including Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Cheshire, Yorkshire and Greater Manchester), the Peak District is one of the most popular staycation destinations in England – usually attracting around 10 million visitors a year.
ADVERTISEMENT
According to Trip Advisor, there’s over 181 things to do here – including rock climbing, windsurfing and paragliding.
Naturally, it’s mostly limited to walking trails right now. But these alone guarantee some amazing outdoor experiences.
New Forest National Park
New Forest National Park / Image: Wikimedia Commons
At the opposite end of the country, straddling the south coast, is the final UK member on TripAdvisor’s prestigious list.
The New Forest National Park.
Covering 219 square miles, this wonderful sprawling woodland is the pride of Hampshire – scattered with soaring trees, bright blue lakes and wide, winding pathways.
ADVERTISEMENT
It’s the third best national park in the UK according to TripAdvisor – and the fifth best in Europe overall.
No mean feat.
Elsewhere on TripAdvisor’s top 10 were parks from Spain (with three entries), Italy and Turkey. But it may be some time before we can visit those…
Oldham Athletic’s next game postponed amid red weather warnings
Danny Jones
Oldham Athletic FC’s next game has been postponed amid red weather warnings, with a frozen pitch having already set in.
We suspect they won’t be the only ones either…
Oldham Athletic were set to take on Notts County FC at home this weekend, with the upcoming fixture set for a 3pm kick-off on Saturday, 10 January, but the state of the Boundary Park stadium’s playing surface has already been declared unfit for use.
Informing the fans of the unfortunate decision, the rescheduled date and time for the match remain yet to be confirmed.
Saturday's home fixture against Notts County has been postponed due to a frozen pitch. #oafc
Addressing supporters online, OAFC wrote: “An inspection took place on Thursday afternoon with the pitch frozen following persistent freezing temperatures since our last home game on New Year’s Day and further adverse weather forecast.
“The inspection was called due to persistent freezing temperatures and in anticipation of further adverse weather between now and kick-off. Tickets will remain valid for the rearranged date, and refunds can be claimed after the new date is confirmed.”
As for Notts County, they have also updated their fans on social media.
They have assured that “tickets purchased for this fixture will [also] be valid for the rearranged date” and that “supporters who require a refund will be able to do so after the date for the rearranged fixture is announced.”
Postponement comes amid parts of Oldham, Greater Manchester and other areas across the country being hit with severe weather warnings, which have now been upgraded from an initial yellow rating.
2026’s first named storm, the weather event dubbed by Goretti by the French meteorological service, is set to bring further frosty conditions and blustery winds to us Brits.
The UK received its first snowfall of the year earlier this month, but this next pattern of cold air is set to see even more arrive, with the forecast potentially running into next week.
As for the Latics, the 15th-placed League Two team will have to wait until their ground thaws out to try and make up ground between them and the play-off spots.
Worth keeping an eye on the Met Office if you were planning a trip to the footy over the next few days.
Greater Manchester urged to ‘check before you travel’ as Storm Goretti sets in tonight
Emily Sergeant
People in Greater Manchester are being urged to check before they travel as Storm Goretti prepares to bring chaos this evening.
In case you weren’t aware, yellow weather warnings for snow have been put in place for parts of Greater Manchester – including Rochdale, Oldham, Tameside, and Stockport – from 5pm this evening until around midday tomorrow, and additional amber warnings are even in place from 8pm tonight for some neighbouring areas like Derbyshire and Yorkshire.
As a result, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), is understandably warning locals that there could be disruption to journeys this evening, including by rail, trams, buses, and on the roads.
Trams on the Oldham, Rochdale, and Ashton lines are most likely to be disrupted by the weather, as are buses in the north and east of the region, TfGM has warned, and due to the expected impact, no trains will run on the following routes from 6pm this evening:
New Mills Central – Sheffield (no trains between Manchester & Sheffield)
Hazel Grove – Buxton
Guide Bridge – Glossop/Hadfield
🌨️ Storm Goretti will hit parts of Greater Manchester from 5pm tonight to midday tomorrow [8 and 9 January].
If you're making a journey, please check before you travel to see if your route is impacted and take extra care when travelling.
Train ticket acceptance will be in place on the 237 and 341 bus services tonight and tomorrow to help passengers get to where they need to be, although disruption could be on the cards here too, once again.
All train routes are planned to reopen after midnight on Saturday morning.
Interchanges, platforms, and crossings across the region are being treated with grit and anti-icing measures to make sure they are safe to use, and TfGM has confirmed that ‘ice breaker’ trams are also ready to be deployed to keep overhead lines clear of ice so trams can keep moving.
For those driving this evening, TfGM is also urging people to take extra time and make sure you are driving ‘appropriately’ for the conditions.
Greater Manchester is urged to check ‘before you travel’ as Storm Goretti sets in / Credit: rawpixel
Speaking ahead of Storm Goretti’s arrival, Danny Vaughan, who is TfGM’s Chief Network Officer, said: “We are expecting Storm Goretti to hit Greater Manchester as we head into the evening peak travel time and we are urging everyone to check their plans before they travel, leave extra time and if possible to consider if they can make their journey before 5pm before the storm hits.
“Working with our partners and operators we are ready to respond to the storm and help to keep Greater Manchester moving.”
He also warned commuters that there may also ‘be an impact on journeys’ tomorrow morning, so if you are planning to travel, then it’s advised to check before you do so.
The Manc -
4th February 2021 
