About national parks

Wild, expansive moors, high rugged cliffs, picturesque rolling hills and stunningly beautiful coastline: these are only a few of the varied and dramatic features of Britain’s National Parks. Whether you’re admiring the majestic peaks of Snowdonia, horse riding across the romantic landscapes of Dartmoor or taking to the water in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, the National Parks will offer an exhilarating experience.

From rock climbing and mountain biking for the sports enthusiasts, to gentle rambles and fly-fishing if you prefer the more laid-back pace of life, the parks’ vast array of activities will provide an unforgettable adventure.

Exmoor

The tallest sea cliffs in England form the northern boundary of this smallest moorland park. The grass moor of the erstwhile Royal Forest is surrounded by heather-covered hills and wooded coombs. Bronze-Age burials, Roman fortlets, ironworks and medieval castles abound. The South West Coastal Path – a national trail – runs along the northern edge of the park.

Cairngorms

Britain’s largest National Park opened in September 2003. The Cairngorms area is an important and unique natural and biodiversity resource in the Central Highlands of Scotland. It displays a vast collection of landforms, more akin to arctic Canada, including four out of Scotland’s five highest mountains. It contains a quarter of Scotland’s native woodland and is a refuge for a host of rare plants and creatures, including a quarter of the UK’s threatened species.

Peak District

The Peak District lies at the Southern end of the Pennine Hills, between Sheffield and Manchester. Explore the hidden gems of the area, from the rugged heather-clad moorland of the Dark Peak, to the gently rolling dales of the White Peak. Visit Chatsworth House, castles, caves, river valleys, reservoirs, heritage sites and much, much more.

Yorkshire Dales

The Dales occupy the finest area of upland limestone country in Britain and possess a unique combination of both related and contrasting landscape features. Wild, expansive, tranquil and at times awesome and bleak, it is ideal for outdoor recreation or touring between the area’s many picture postcard towns and villages.

The Lake District

Wild, rugged and dramatic landscape in the central areas contrast with the softer, more rounded edges of the Lake District. Sixteen lakes are arranged like spokes of a wheel in this heartland. This imposing landscape has rich literary and artistic associations and comprises splendid walking and climbing – gentle on the lakeside and challenging uphill gradients.

Snowdonia

Rivers, lakes, waterfalls and remnants of ancient deciduous woodlands are typical of the park, as is the coast, with its sandy bays, dunes and the three beautiful estuaries – Glaslyn/Dwyryd, Mawddach and Dyfi. A rich variety of plants and wildlife mirrors the diversity of the landscape and the whole of the park is a stronghold of the Welsh language and way of life.

Pembrokeshire Coast

Predominantly coastal national park, covering 620 sq km (240 sq miles) of spectacular landscape around Wales’ south-western shore. Rugged cliffs and islands, tree-lined estuaries and open moorland are all features of the area. Wild flowers flourish in the mild climate and there are famous seal and sea bird colonies.

● 1. Which Parks are in:

a) England? b) Scotland? c) Wales?

2. What do these Parks have in common?

3. In what context can you find these words: unforgettable adventure / wooded coombs / threatened species / heritage sites / outdoor recreation?

4. Which Park:

▪ contains historical sites? ▪ has the highest mountain?

▪ has ancient remnants? ▪ is located on the shore?

▪ mentions any numbers? ▪ has a limestone area?

5. What can be:

▪ gentle? ▪ beautiful? ▪ unique? ▪ rare?

▪ imposing? ▪ spectacular? ▪ tranquil?

▪ deciduous? ▪ rugged? ▪ sandy?

9.10. Match the two parts (A and B) of the words.

A B

1. moor a) falls

2. tree- b) side

3. strong c) land

4. water d) stone

5. heart e) lined

6. lake f) land

7. up g) card

8. lime h) clad

9. awe i) hold

10. out j) land

11. post k) form

12. heather l) line

13. coast m) some

14. land n) door

9.11. What are the following words according to the context (activity 9.9): nouns / adjectives / verbs / adverbs?

a) ironworks b) akin c) creatures d) touring

e) softer f) mirror g) stronghold

h) predominantly i) flourish j) seal

▪ Translate all the words above using a dictionary.

9.12. Look at the phrases from the text (activity 9.9) and explain what they mean in your own words.

a) “….. wild, expansive moors …”

b) “….. the National Parks will offer an exhilarating experience.”

c) “….. the more laid-back pace of life…”

d) “….. the hidden gems of the area…”

e) “….. a unique combination of both related and contrasting landscape features.”

f) “….. picture postcard towns and villages.”

g) “….. dramatic landscape…”

h) “…... challenging uphill gradients.”

9.13. Read the text about National Parks again and talk about the similarities and differences of these places. Then say which place you would like to visit and why.

9.14 Read the three texts, describing places and answer the following questions:

● Which text is taken from:

a) a promotional brochure b) a story c) an encyclopedia?

● Which text is the most / least formal?

● Which text:

a) expresses the writer’s personal feelings and experiences.

b) includes only facts.

c) has an impersonal style.

d) uses colloquial English.

e) gives a poetical description.

f) gives a detailed description.

g) tells about attractions.

h) uses as many adjectives as possible?