News of government cuts to the funding of national parks has been criticised by the Campaign for National Parks (CPN), which may interest those who like to go walking there.

The authorities running the ten parks in England and Wales have been told they face a 21.5 per cent fall in cash terms in their grants over the next four years.

According to the CPN's head of policy Ruth Chambers, this actually amounts to 28.5 per cent when inflation is taken into account.

She said while it may seem "not too bad" in the overall context of reducing public spending, "today's announcement will have a long-lasting and detrimental effect on the excellent work that these bodies do to look after National Parks for the nation".

One national park authority already looking to save money is the Peak District, which is planning the sale of Losehill Hall, a move set to save it an estimated £250,000 in annual running costs.

It has revealed the Youth Hostels Association is its preferred bidder, which could see those visiting the Castleton area in hiking boots enjoying a new venue to stay in.