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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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…
You can now have a private tour of Manchester Christmas Markets
Thomas Melia
Every year, Manchester Christmas Markets hosts its almost two-month long residency on the frosty streets of our lively city, but now you can enjoy the cute huts with an unbeatable luxury experience.
Travel agency, Viator, who are directly connected to TripAdvisor, have launched a one on one guided tour of Manchester and its stunning Manchester Christmas Marketsin all their glory.
This private tour of the festivities occurring in the city will last two hours and for the whole duration of your time, a city host will be on hand to offer undivided attention, catering to your every need.
A makeshift itinerary is already awaiting guests and can be tailored according to the individual taking the tour, everything is catered to your preferences.
Anyone who books onto the tour also receives a complimentary hot chocolate and that’s sweetened the deal for me, I’m sold.
How can you go wrong with these incredible options at Manchester Christmas Markets?You can recreate your very own gigantic cheese pull and your local host can snap a piccie.Scrumptious selection of food available as you venture through Manchester Christmas Markets in style.
There’s also the chance to keep your hands toasty with a free cup of mulled wine or a soft-drink for those who aren’t interested in the warm alcoholic beverage.
Manchester Christmas Markets are a phenomenal day or night-out regardless so this latest personalised opportunity will take your festive fantasies to a whole new level.
This private tour provides a one-of-a-kind exclusive treatment making your stroll down Manchester Cathedral, Exchange Square and Manchester Town Hall that little bit more special.
These tours are a great chance to immerse yourself in one of Manchester’s many selling points as you can choose to focus your time around art and culture, fashion, architecture or our personal favourite – food.
This exclusive tour package which highlights the best of Manchester Christmas Markets is definitely a present in itself with tickets costing a hefty sum of £100.
If you want to visit Manchester Christmas Markets while also living the high life with a private tour, ‘Christmas In Manchester: Private Experience With A City Host’ is running all the way until the huts shut shop on 22 December and tickets can be found here.
A Christmas train in Wigan has been delivering donated toys galore
Thomas Melia
Yuletide wishes have come true as a donation of toys and goodies have been delivered via a Christmas train in Wigan, right in time for the big day.
The Amazon toy train, which is a new initiative running this festive season, is dropping off presents from now right up until Christmas day itself.
Already visiting Wigan earlier this month, the locomotive has its sites set on three more stops including London, Swansea and Scotland as it makes its journey across three nations.
In partnership with Multibank’s Brick-by-Brick project, the train hopes to provide and offer gifts to families in need across the UK with Wigan marking the closest stop off in Greater Manchester.
Credit: Lee Boswell (supplied)
All the toys that are being transported across the country in this Amazon-fronted train are featured on the company’s ‘Top Ten Toys 2024’ list.
Hatchimals, Screamerz and Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza were some of the exciting gifts found on the Christmas train in Wigan at the start of this month.
This lighthearted and fun-filled Christmas-themed project is kitted out with toys from top brands like Play-Doh and the brickmasters themselves, LEGO Star Wars.
So far, Multibank has helped over 400,000 families and provided three million essential items across their operations in England, Scotland and Wales since launching in 2022.
This collaborative local project doesn’t just operate at Christmastime either: Brick-to-Brick Multibank run all year round collecting surplus business requirements like furniture, hot water bottles and hygiene products to be used by those less fortunate.
The Christmas train in Wigan filled with Amazon’s top toys.The Wigan toy train features some well known brands.Credit: Supplied
This roster of children’s favourite companions and interactive games is inspired by the consumers themselves. Every toy is related to or the exact match of what Amazon customers have been searching for the most. A real Christmas list come true.
The list of the top toys isn’t extortionate either, offering customers some affordable and still as fascinating options with prices starting from £9.99.
Even old-school classics like Play-Doh have a spot on this wish list. This poses the really big question: where’s the adult version?
You may have finished your Christmas shopping not too long ago or might still be looking for inspiration, browse the top-ranked teddies and more HERE.
The Manc -
4th February 2021 
