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National Parks Photography Competition

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Our annual photography competition is now open for entries.

Now in its fourth year, and proudly supported by Sykes Holiday Cottages, the competition offers amateur and professional photographers the chance to win one of two fantastic prize bundles worth over £300 each. More than just a celebration of stunning photography, the competition champions conservation and invites people to engage meaningfully with the natural world this summer.

Whether it’s the wild beauty of Cairngorms, the dramatic peaks of Eryri, or the peaceful waterways of the Broads, the competition encourages everyone to explore, appreciate and protect the unique character of the National Parks.

Competition Timings: 

The Prize:

Each winner will receive:

  • A £250 Sykes Holiday Cottages voucher
  • A complete set of Collins National Park Pocket Map and Favourite Ranger Walks books, worth £115

Please read our terms and conditions before entering below.

In partnership with Sykes Holiday Cottages

Find out more about Sykes Holidays Cottages .

Terms and conditions

Entries

  1. Entries must be submitted by Instagram tagging @nationalparksuk and using the hashtag #NPUKPics25. Failure to do so may mean that your entry is not picked up by the judging team.
  2. By submitting an entry, each entrant agrees to the terms and conditions, and warrants that:
  • they are the copyright owner of the image.
  • was taken and processed by you, or by a group of which you are an active participant.
  • is your or your group’s original work.
  • does not infringe the copyright or any other rights of any third party.
  • has permissions from any individuals identifiable in the image.
  • does not contain any obscene or defamatory content or material.
  1. The entrant agrees to indemnify the competition organisers against all costs and claims by third parties arising from breach of this agreement.
  2. If a photo is submitted with a watermark or copyright mark entrants may be asked to submit a version without these marks.
  3. If successful, entrants must be able to provide a high res image of at least 1MB in Jpeg or TIFF file format.

Copyright and use of images

  1. UK National Parks and Sykes Holiday Cottages are dedicated to supporting public understanding of their work. The images submitted in the 2025 photography competition serve as key resources for UK National Parks and Sykes Holiday Cottages, and, as such, we need to be able to use your image(s) in certain ways. This includes marketing and communications activities.
  2. Entrants will retain copyright and moral rights in their submitted images. In all instances, the copyright holder will be credited, wherever practicable, when the image is used and published by UK National Parks and Sykes Holiday Cottages.
  3. If included by you we will use your first and last name or Instagram handle as supplied during the entry process (e.g. © photographer’s name).
  4. Although UK National Parks and Sykes Holiday Cottages will always supply the correct information to third parties (for example to press / media), we cannot accept responsibility for any credit line errors or omissions by these parties.
  5. By entering, all entrants grant UK National Parks and Sykes Holiday Cottages a non-exclusive, irrevocable worldwide, royalty-free licence to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, and publish any image entered into the competition:
  • In promotional, press, marketing materials, including social media and website, to promote and publicise the competition.
  • For any other marketing, promotional or press purposes at the sole discretion of UK National Parks and Sykes Holiday Cottages.
  1. UK National Parks and Sykes Holiday Cottages are committed to processing information in accordance with the current Data Protection Act (DPA).  Images will be stored securely in appropriate file formats on servers belonging to UK National Parks.

PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMPETITION IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO GRANT THESE RIGHTS.

Competition Timings

Judging

  1. UK National Parks will select a shortlist of 10 images to go to (1) public vote across social media and (2) voting by Sykes Holiday Cottages staff to select the winning photos. Their decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into regarding the selection of winners.
  2. Winners will be announced in October and notified by email/social media account in advance of public announcement.
  3. If your image is selected as the winning image, you will be entitled to receive a £250 Sykes Holiday Cottages Voucher and a complete set of Collins National Parks Pocket Maps and Favourite Walks books (worth £115). If the same image wins both Public Vote and Sykes staff vote – only one prize will be offered  (£250 Sykes Holiday Cottages Voucher + set of Collins books).
  4. The Competition prize is £250 of Sykes Holiday Cottages Vouchers, a complete set of Collins National Parks Pocket Maps and Favourite Walks books.
  5. Sykes will not be held accountable for any costs, losses, damages and expenses (including travel fees) which the winner may incur in relation to The Competition or prize or as a result of any misrepresentation of the prize.
  6. The Sykes Holiday Cottages Vouchers are valid for a period of two (2) years from the date of issue. Any remaining balance on a gift voucher may no longer be used after the expiry of its validity period.
  7. The Competition prize is non-transferable and there shall be no alternative prize or cash alternative offered.
  8. If your photo is shortlisted we will contact you via the social media platform you provided when tagging the picture.
  9. You may be asked questions about your image during our data checking period. We reserve the right to remove your image from the shortlist if you do not meet our rules or we are concerned about the veracity of your image.

Governing Law

  1. Valid wherever legal only, the rules of this competition are subject to the legal and regulatory restrictions imposed under English law and the parties to any dispute or action shall submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English and Welsh courts.

Liability

  1. Any personal information of entrants will only be used and, where necessary (credits).
  2. You can withdraw your consent and photograph by emailing connect@nationalparks.uk . Your image will be removed from the competition and our files.

Accepting the rules

  1. By entering your photo to the competition you are deemed to have accepted the above rules and to have granted the rights to UK National Parks and Sykes Holiday Cottages set out above.
  2. Please do not submit a photo to the competition unless you are prepared to agree to these terms.

THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS PREVAIL IN THE EVENT OF ANY CONFLICT OR INCONSISTENCY WITH ANY OTHER COMMUNICATIONS, INCLUDING ADVERTISING OR PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS.

About Sykes Holiday Cottages

Sykes Holiday Cottages are one of the UK’s leading independent holiday cottage rental agencies. Offering over 23,000 cottages across the UK and Ireland, there’s plenty of choice for your next escape. Whether you’re seeking a beachside apartment, a traditional countryside cottage, or anything in between, you’re sure to find it with us. If you’re looking for inspiration on where to travel for your next adventure, be sure to browse our Travel Guide. Here you’ll find a whole host of information on exciting locations and their very best attractions. From the beautiful Cairngorms to the dramatic scenery of the Lake District, there are plenty of locations letting you uncover the many wonders of a variety of National Parks. Boasting an extensive range of unique self-catering cottages paired with over 30 years’ experience in the industry, you can be sure to book with confidence. Find your perfect stay in a National Park with Sykes Holiday Cottages today.

 

Find out more about Sykes Holiday Cottages partnership with the National Parks.

🎉 Happy Exmoor Day, @exmoornp!

Today, Exmoor National Park celebrates years of connecting people with nature, wildlife and the great outdoors.

From England’s largest wild red deer herd and native ponies to Europe’s first International Dark Sky Reserve and dramatic landscapes, Exmoor is a place full of life, history and discovery.

Its landscapes, wildlife and historic villages bring people closer to nature and create opportunities to explore, connect and enjoy the benefits of being outdoors.

Here’s to Exmoor – and many more adventures to come! 💚

#Exmoor #ExmoorNationalPark #NationalParksUK

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Open post by nationalparksuk with ID 18097898108400036
🎉 Happy Exmoor Day, @exmoornp! Today, Exmoor National Park celebrates years of connecting people with nature, wildlife and the great outdoors. From England’s largest wild red deer herd and native ponies to Europe’s first International Dark Sky Reserve and dramatic landscapes, Exmoor is a place full of life, history and discovery. Its landscapes, wildlife and historic villages bring people closer to nature and create opportunities to explore, connect and enjoy the benefits of being outdoors. Here’s to Exmoor – and many more adventures to come! 💚 #Exmoor #ExmoorNationalPark #NationalParksUK

Happy birthday @parc_eryri 🎂

From its towering peaks and sweeping valleys to its rich heritage, Eryri (Snowdonia) is a place that means so much to so many people.

It`s a landscape full of stories, shaped by generations of people and home to some of Wales` most treasured places, from the summit of Yr Wyddfa to the quieter corners.

Today, we`re celebrating everything that makes Eryri unique, from the people and traditions that give it its character to the ongoing work to protect its landscapes and wildlife.

Share your favourite memories of Eryri in the comments! 💬

📸Ogwen Valley, Snowdonia @cinqueportsphotography

#Eryri #EryriNationalPark #TheAnswerIsNationalParks

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Open post by nationalparksuk with ID 17910983841556625
Happy birthday @parc_eryri 🎂 From its towering peaks and sweeping valleys to its rich heritage, Eryri (Snowdonia) is a place that means so much to so many people. It's a landscape full of stories, shaped by generations of people and home to some of Wales' most treasured places, from the summit of Yr Wyddfa to the quieter corners. Today, we're celebrating everything that makes Eryri unique, from the people and traditions that give it its character to the ongoing work to protect its landscapes and wildlife. Share your favourite memories of Eryri in the comments! 💬 📸Ogwen Valley, Snowdonia @cinqueportsphotography #Eryri #EryriNationalPark #TheAnswerIsNationalParks

An ancient wall almost 2,000 years old, and a catch-up with your mate? ✅

Historic landmarks like Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland National Park have been connecting people for centuries.

While that connection looks very different today from the wall’s original role as a Roman defensive fortification, it’s still a place where people come together and explore history.

Because our National Parks are about so much more than great places for a day out. They’re places to connect with friends, clear your head, get active and learn about history, all in one place.

#Northumberland #HadriansWall #NationalParksUK

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Open post by nationalparksuk with ID 17863355247697002
An ancient wall almost 2,000 years old, and a catch-up with your mate? ✅ Historic landmarks like Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland National Park have been connecting people for centuries. While that connection looks very different today from the wall’s original role as a Roman defensive fortification, it’s still a place where people come together and explore history. Because our National Parks are about so much more than great places for a day out. They’re places to connect with friends, clear your head, get active and learn about history, all in one place. #Northumberland #HadriansWall #NationalParksUK