This research presented the latest economic and socio-economic data relating to the National Parks, assessed the contribution of National Parks to economic prosperity and well-being, and identified future opportunities for National Park Authorities to further support sustainable rural economies in partnership with local communities, businesses and local government partners. The report included an assessment of the ecosystem services delivered by National Parks and the opportunities for developing these via PES schemes. Our approach involved a review of existing literature; the collation and analysis of public data, visits to all National Park Authorities, and the production of case studies.
An update of the GVA estimate of England’s National Parks was undertaken in 2017.