It has long been suspected but now its official:

Northumberland’s National Park is the least populated English national park and a healthy place to live. It is also the second least visited national park so we are spoilt with tranquillity, solitude and wide-open spaces.

Whilst other national parks are considering introducing congestion charges, the 2001 census data has revealed that there are only 4 people for each square mile in Northumberland National Park, 10 times lower than the average English national park. With 200 miles of deserted roads and 500 miles of footpaths, traffic jams and people congestion are not familiar sights.

Northumberland National Park is also the healthiest national park to live in and the numbers of people suffering with ill health are well below the general level for the north east. Northumberland is the only National Park to have more men than women and has the highest percentage of married people.

Sally Hutt, State of the Park Monitoring Officer said, “The Park Authority estimated that around 2000 people inhabited the park and now the 2001 census data has born this out. There is a population of 1,936. They occupy about 800 homes. There are another 111 holiday homes and this is in line with other National Parks in England. It means that if you are looking for peace and quiet, wide open spaces and a high quality of life, Northumberland National Park is the place to be!”