The National Landscapes Association, a charity primarily funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), is spearheading a significant initiative to enhance diversity and accessibility across the United Kingdom's 46 designated National Landscapes. According to the organisation, these protected areas should be "celebrated by everyone," yet numerous barriers prevent many individuals from enjoying these natural treasures.
Addressing Barriers to Access
The charity has identified a range of obstacles that hinder public engagement with National Landscapes. These include concerns over safety related to faith or race, physical disabilities limiting mobility, and a lack of awareness or social connections to these spaces. As Natalie Wilson of the charity emphasised on Wednesday, 4 February 2026, "Everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy time in nature, but for many people it can feel out of reach."
Proximity and Benefits
Notably, statistics reveal that two-thirds of England's population resides within a thirty-minute journey of their nearest National Landscape. Improving access to these areas is not only a matter of social equity but also yields substantial health advantages and supports rural economies. The National Landscapes Association underscores that fostering connections with nature benefits both individuals and communities.
Historical Context and Ongoing Projects
In 2019, a DEFRA report advocated for making national landscapes "alive for people," where everyone is actively welcomed to enjoy natural beauty. Since that time, National Landscapes teams have launched multiple projects aimed at broadening participation. For instance, the Generation Green 2 initiative enabled children from some of the UK's most deprived areas to visit Northumberland and engage in activities like building sandcastles.
Other programmes include Nature Calling in Luton, which coordinates group visits to restore chalk grassland, and the Putting Down Routes effort, which encourages underrepresented communities to explore the North Downs Way National Trail and Kent Downs National Landscape. Additionally, weekly walks in the Arnside and Silverdale National Landscape have provided support for individuals with dementia and brain injuries, helping them enjoy nature.
Vision for the Future
The charity's long-term goal is to establish protected landscapes as the "backbone of a nature-rich UK" by 2050, with involvement from "people from all backgrounds." As the National Landscapes Association stated, "UK nature needs all the friends it can get, and the more people feel connected and take nature-friendly actions, the better for everyone." This vision aligns with broader efforts to promote environmental stewardship and social inclusion across the country.
