The Peak District sees thousands of visitors each year for hiking, cycling, climbing and more. And now, the UK’s first national park could ask people who visit to pay a £1 entry fee, according to the park’s CEO, Phil Mulligan.
The news comes as the national park struggles financially. Mulligan said that a 9% cut to one of its core central government grants could mean that visitors may have to help make up the shortfall.
Speaking to Metro, Mulligan said: “If we had 10p from each visitor, that would more than make up for the cuts governments are making to our core grant… If we were to make it £1 per person, then we would not need any core government grant.”
The money would go towards the basic upkeep of the landscape, preserving nature and protecting wildlife. It would also support sustainability projects across the area and ensure a safe, enjoyable experience for visitors, such as maintaining footpaths and car parks. Mulligan also noted that introducing a clean air zone would require cameras, which would have a “visual impact” on the scenery.
Occasional costs from natural disasters such as wildfires or floods also need to be covered. However, unlike cities such as Manchester, which have introduced a tourism levy of £1–2 per hotel room, per night, national parks currently can’t introduce a tourist tax. Since many people only visit national parks for day trips, replicating city-based tourism levies is a challenge.
Mulligan believes a small entry fee may be the only way forward: “The future sustainability and sufficiency of the current funding model is in question, so we need to be asking the bigger question: how does the nation want to pay for national parks to remain here for everyone, forever?”
Under current law, parks are not permitted to charge visitors for entry, meaning that a change in legislation would be needed. Mulligan acknowledges the logistical challenges — such as distinguishing between people just passing through and those visiting for business. As a result, the Peak District National Park will remain free to access for the time being.
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