Astonishing 2020 National Parks photography competition – winners announced!

13 March 2020

The UK National Parks and Campaign for National Parks are delighted to announce the winner, runners up and shortlist for our joint photography competition underscoring the importance of nature in our National Parks. 

Around the theme of a ‘Inspired By Nature’, the competition drew around 1,700 entries from across the 15 National Parks in the UK via social media. Outstanding wildlife shots, landscapes and people blew away the judges.

The dramatic winning shot, from Pete Stevens, depicts the spectacle of the natural world as a rare osprey swoops in on its prey in the Cairngorms National Park.

Winner: ‘Breakfast to Take Away’ by Pete Stevens, Cairngorms National Park

Pete said: “I’ve always loved being out and about in Scotland and having spent a lot of time in Aviemore and the Cairngorms as I’ve grown up have being able to keep an eye on how the Osprey numbers have grown as the National Park and other bodies such as the RSPB have increased awareness and protection for them.”

“Last year was the first chance I had ever had to photograph the Ospreys and it was a brilliant experience which I hope to repeat this summer and in the future.”

Runner up: ‘Kinder Downfall’ by Sam and Ike Walker, Peak District National Park

Grant Moir, CEO of the Cairngorms National Park Authority, said: “I am delighted that Pete was able to visit the Cairngorms National Park and get this winning photo.” 

“We work with our partners in Cairngorms Nature to conserve and protect our natural heritage, to ensure that residents and visitors alike can experience our world class landscapes and wildlife. 

“The National Parks across the UK each have their own unique needs and challenges when it comes to conserving nature. They are full of people with great expertise and local knowledge who are working tirelessly to support nature and protect the land for future generations.”

Shortlisted: ‘Dragonfly’ by Jonathan Green, North York Moors National Park

However, Campaign for National Parks points out that nature is in crisis and that National Parks have a critical role to play in providing safe spaces for nature.

Andrew Hall of Campaign for National Parks, and competition judge, said: “There is something about nature that moves the soul and enriches our lives. But the reality is that some of the amazing moments captured throughout this competition will be denied the next generation.”

“I hope that people looking at this shortlist, sees the urgent need to treasure the natural world, to get out, feel inspired, but also to do more to protect and improve our National Parks.”

Judges shortlisted pictures from a variety of the UK’s National Parks, including a greedy puffin in the Pembrokeshire Coast and a magical landscape from the Brecon Beacons.

Shortlisted: ‘Time to Feed the Chicks Again’ by Jason Davies, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

Shortlisted: ‘Towards the End of a Day’s Walking in and around Dyffryn Crawnon in the Brecon Beacons’ by Andrew Brooks, Brecon Beacons National Park

Shortlisted: ‘The Atmospheric, Cathedral-like Canopy of the Ring of Beech Trees at Three Combes Foot’ by Shaun Davey, Exmoor National Park

Shortlisted: ‘Red Squirrel’ by Deborah Clarke, Yorkshire Dales National Park

Shortlisted: ‘Dartmoor National Park’ by Andrew Sweeney

Shortlisted: ‘Caver’ by Rhiannon Hobbs, Yorkshire Dales National Park

Shortlisted: ‘Mystical, Ancient Wistmans Wood’ by Debra Smitham, Dartmoor National Park

For media enquiries, contact Campaign for National Parks on 020 7981 0890 or email info@cnp.org.uk.