The UK's National Parks are designated as the country's leading landscapes but differ from National Parks in other countries in remaining largely in private ownership and having residents living within them.
This episode of Inside Out, from Countryside Mobility, explores the enduring appeal and challenges faced by these 'living landscapes'. We travel from one of the most visited, the Lake District, to one of the most undiscovered, Exmoor, also exploring how accesss for visitors is improving.
In a two part interview, Dan James from Exmoor National Park Authority shares the inspiration that the Park has brought to many, introduces us to bolving (you'll see Dan as 'The Classic' at 2:29), explains how he works to help a thriving economy in keeping with the landscape and introduces their latest walking initiative - Exmoor Explorer Walks. More information on Photo Trails here.
Julia Walker from Lake District Mobility tells us her personal story of the inspiration behind the charity which is helping locals and visitors to access some of the National Park's most beautiful locations and the progress being made to improve access in Cumbria more generally. She also talks about how they are now helping another National Park, the North York Moors, to offer the same Tramper (all-terrain mobility scooter) hire service.
Finally, we travel to the edge of the Cotswolds to discover an initiative encouraging locals and visitors to Return to the Hill. Project Officer, Jenny Griffiths from Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust introduces us to the iconic Robinswood Hill with its panoramic views across the city and countryside and the work she is doing to connect more people to its beauty. Keep in touch with the latest news and events via their Facebook Group. For more information on Tramper hire click here.