THE British summertime isn’t showing its best side right now, but that’s no reason not to get outside and enjoy what the countryside has to offer.
This week is National Parks Week, an annual celebration of everything unique about the UK's 15 National Parks.
13
This week is National Parks Week, and several photographers have shared pictures of their favourite English views in celebrationCredit: Focus Clinics/Liam Frankland
13
A frosty morning in Richmond Park, which is London's largest Site of Special Scientific InterestCredit: Focus Clinics/Ann Healey
The UK’s first national park was the Peak District in 1951, shortly followed by the Lake District, Snowdonia and Dartmoor.
Now there are 15 of them, including Broads, Brecon Beacons, Cairngorms, Exmoor, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, New Forest and Northumberland.
Together, they attract around 90 million visitors a year, both from inside the UK and across the world.
A number of events are taking place this week to celebrate and promote the parks.
You can go for a walk with a national park ranger, take part in the a wildlife spotting challenge or introduce the kids to ‘earth exploring,’ as well as other activities.
As part of the celebrations, some of the country's best photographers have shared a picture of what they consider to be the most incredible sights, both ancient and modern, in England today.
The photos aim to show the best of English views, so read on to see which made the cut…
13
A spectacular sunrise over Banjo Pier at Swanage in Dorset, captured by Daniel WrethamCredit: Focus Clinics/Daniel Wretham
13
The green hills of Shropshire, which sits on the English Welsh border, photographed by Rich MatthewsCredit: Focus Clinics/Rich Matthews
13
Southend Pier in Essex, taken just after Christmas on a cold December morningCredit: Focus Clinics/Robert Hatton
Dark storm clouds brewing over the summer harvest as the sun sets over the Worcestershire countrysideCredit: Focus Clinics/Geoff Moore
13
Berkshire, known as as the Royal County of Berkshire because it is home to Windsor CastleCredit: Focus Clinics/James Wilson
13
This photo incredible coastal shot was taken in NorthumberlandCredit: Focus Clinics/David Taylor
13
Sam Moore, a professional photographer based in Sussex, loves picturing the beautiful South DownsCredit: Focus Clinics/Sam Moore
13
Adrian Moysey took this picture of London's River Thames, with Tower Bridge in the background and London City Hall to the rightCredit: Focus Clinics/Adrian Moysey
13
Normanton Church, which sits at the edge of Rutland Water, the largest man-made lake in the UKCredit: Focus Clinics/Andy Cross
13
Oxfordshire, which is famous for its rolling hills, riverside meadows and mature woodlandCredit: Focus Clinics/Daniel Wretham
13
The views from Lyde Court in Herefordshire, which is part of the vast Duchy of Cornwall EstateCredit: Focus Clinics/Gemma Williams
