For some years, Britain’s national parks have been wrestling with the same conundrum: how to attract a broader range of visitors. With foreign travel off the agenda for most and the shops closed, people who had never before walked up a hill, let alone worn Gore-Tex, heading to their nearest national park as soon as lockdown restrictions were eased. Thanks to the good weather, “every day was like a bank holiday”, says Sarah Fowler, the park’s chief executive. Litter left by campers in Snowdonia national park. Photograph: Snowdonia National Park AuthorityConsidering that the national park is surrounded by the cities of Manchester, Sheffield and Derby, the normal visitor profile “is not as diverse as it could be, given who is on our doorstep”, admits Fowler.

Source: The Guardian January 01, 2021 10:30 UTC