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Search any UK location to check whether a site falls within one of England's 10 National Parks before you buy, plan or develop.
Updated: as boundaries are formally reviewed · Last checked by Maplify: July 2026
This layer maps the boundaries of England's 10 National Parks, statutorily protected landscapes designated under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949: the Lake District, Peak District, Yorkshire Dales, North York Moors, Dartmoor, Exmoor, New Forest, South Downs, Northumberland and the Broads.
Each National Park is managed by an independent National Park Authority, which typically acts as the local planning authority for most planning matters within the boundary, replacing the district or county council. This is an important distinction from other landscape designations, since it changes which body actually determines an application.
National Park status places a site under the highest tier of landscape protection in English planning policy, equal to AONBs, and it also changes the determining authority for planning applications — a detail easy to miss without checking this layer directly. Developers and architects check National Park boundaries early because "major development" faces a strong presumption of refusal, and design standards within National Parks are often stricter than the surrounding local plan requires.
Because National Park Authorities frequently apply distinctive local design guidance — covering materials, scale, roof pitch and dark skies lighting — a scheme designed to a generic local plan standard may need significant revision to meet National Park expectations.
Shaded polygon
The National Park boundary — the National Park Authority is typically the determining planning body within it.
Boundary line
The precise edge of the designation — sites straddling the line are part in, part out.
No shading
Land outside every mapped National Park — proximity and setting impact can still be a material planning consideration.
NPPF paragraph 182 gives National Parks the same highest status of protection for landscape and scenic beauty as AONBs. "Major development" is refused except in exceptional circumstances where it can be demonstrated to be in the public interest, considering the need for the development, alternative locations outside the park, and any detrimental effect on the landscape.
Even where development is not classed as major, National Park Authorities typically apply stricter local design guidance on materials, scale and lighting than the wider region, and pre-application discussion with the authority is strongly advised before finalising a scheme.
Confirm the exact boundary and the correct determining authority — usually the National Park Authority — before preparing an application.
Review the National Park Authority's local design guidance on materials, scale and dark skies lighting.
Assess whether the proposal is likely to be classed as "major development" under NPPF paragraph 182.
Engage in pre-application discussion with the National Park Authority for anything beyond minor householder works.
Check the AONB, Green Belt and wider Planning Designations layers for the same site for the fuller landscape picture.
This is general guidance, not professional or legal advice — confirm specifics with the relevant authority or a qualified professional.
Property Developers
Confirm the correct determining authority and the "major development" test before committing to a scheme.
Planning Consultants
Advise on National Park-specific design guidance and application requirements.
Architects
Design to local materials, scale and dark skies lighting standards from the outset.
Surveyors
Factor National Park status into valuation and feasibility reports.
Landowners
Understand realistic development potential and the correct planning authority to approach.
Environmental Consultants
Scope landscape and ecological assessments specific to the National Park's character.
National Park checks are commonly run alongside these related layers.
How do I check if a site is in a National Park?
Search the site on Maplify and enable the National Parks layer. If the site falls within a shaded boundary, it sits within a National Park and the National Park Authority is likely to be the determining planning body.
Who decides planning applications within a National Park?
The National Park Authority typically acts as the sole local planning authority for its area, replacing the district or county council for most planning decisions — always confirm the correct authority before submitting an application.
Does National Park status prevent all development?
No, but NPPF paragraph 182 gives National Parks the highest level of landscape protection. "Major development" is refused except in exceptional circumstances shown to be in the public interest; other development faces closer design scrutiny.
How many National Parks are there in England?
England has 10 National Parks: the Lake District, Peak District, Yorkshire Dales, North York Moors, Dartmoor, Exmoor, New Forest, South Downs, Northumberland and the Broads.
Do National Parks have their own design rules?
Yes. Most National Park Authorities publish design guidance covering materials, scale, roof pitch and "dark skies" lighting policy that goes beyond standard local plan requirements.
Can development outside a National Park boundary still be affected?
Yes. Proposals just outside a National Park can be refused if they harm the park's setting or views into or out of it, so proximity is a relevant factor even without the site itself being inside the boundary.
Open the map, generate a site report or save your search to come back to it later.
| Provider | Natural England / National Park Authorities |
| Geometry type | Polygon |
| Coverage | England's 10 National Parks |
| Update schedule | Quarterly check against Natural England boundary data |
| Reference date | July 2026 |
| Licence | Open Government Licence v3.0 |
