## Learning Outcomes

- Identify key UK natural resources, including North Sea oil and gas and traditional coal
- Understand how the countryside is used, especially for farming, forestry and leisure
- Know what National Parks are and how many there are in Great Britain
- Recognise the role of the National Trust and the National Trust for Scotland
- Apply the main countryside access and “behave responsibly” rules expected in the test

## Life in the UK Test Syllabus

For the Life in the UK Test, you are expected to understand UK natural resources and the countryside, with a focus on the following syllabus points:

- Know that the UK has natural resources including coal, oil and natural gas, and that oil and gas are mainly from the North Sea
- Understand that much of the UK is countryside and is widely used for farming (arable and livestock)
- Know that there are 15 National Parks in England, Wales and Scotland and what “National Park” means in the UK (protected countryside where people live and work)
- Identify the National Trust (and National Trust for Scotland) as charities that protect buildings, coastline and countryside, and know the National Trust was founded in 1895 and has over 61,000 volunteers
- Know that the UK has a large network of public footpaths and that outdoor leisure activities (walking, cycling, hill walking, fishing) are common
- Understand the basic expectations for behaving responsibly in the countryside (follow signs, control dogs, protect wildlife and property)

## Test Your Knowledge

_Attempt these questions before reading this article. If you find some difficult or cannot remember the answers, look more closely at that area during your revision._

1. Which natural resources are found in the UK, and where are UK oil and gas mainly produced?
2. How many National Parks are there in England, Wales and Scotland?
3. What is the National Trust, and in what year was it founded?
4. True or false? A National Park in the UK is an empty wilderness where nobody lives or works.
5. Name two outdoor activities that are popular in the UK countryside.

## Introduction

Although most people in the UK live in towns and cities, a large part of the country is still countryside. The countryside supports farming and other industries, and it is also a major place for leisure, holidays and tourism.

For the Life in the UK Test, you should know the UK’s main natural resources and the key organisations and protected areas connected with the countryside, especially National Parks and the National Trust.

> **Key Term: natural resources**  
> Useful materials and energy sources that come from nature, such as coal, oil, natural gas, farmland, timber and fish.

The environment and scenery of the UK also influence culture, art and regional identity. Mountains, moorland, coasts and lowland farmland create very different local scenes. People often feel a strong connection to particular natural settings, and these areas can be a source of community pride as well as economic activity.

### UK natural resources and energy

The UK has a range of natural resources. Some are energy resources (used to produce heat and electricity). Others support food production and industry.

A key test point is that the UK has **coal, oil and natural gas**. Coal was historically central to British industry, especially during the Industrial Revolution, and it is still part of the UK’s resource history even though it is used much less today.

Oil and natural gas are strongly linked to the **North Sea**.

> **Key Term: North Sea**  
> The sea to the east of Great Britain, where the UK has important offshore oil and natural gas fields.

North Sea oil and gas platforms are located offshore and are linked by pipelines to refineries and processing plants on land. This industry has created jobs in nearby coastal towns and cities, particularly in parts of Scotland and north-east England, and has contributed significantly to government tax revenues.

As well as fossil fuels, the UK also uses renewable energy sources. For revision purposes, you should be able to name common renewables used in the UK, such as **wind** and **hydroelectric power** (particularly associated with parts of Scotland due to suitable terrain and rainfall). The test usually focuses more on the headline fact that the UK has fossil fuels, especially North Sea oil and gas, rather than technical detail.

Some former industrial and mining areas have had to adapt as coal and other traditional industries declined. In many places, old quarries and pits have been turned into nature reserves, country parks or heritage attractions, showing how natural areas can be reused and restored.

> **Test Tip:** If you see a multiple-choice question asking where UK oil and gas mainly come from, choose **the North Sea**. This is a very common exam-style fact.

### Farming, forestry and fishing in the countryside

The UK countryside is not only for sightseeing. It is working land, and a large amount is used for **farming**. In many areas you will see:

- **Arable farming** (growing crops such as cereals)
- **Livestock farming** (keeping animals such as sheep and cattle)

Farming shapes many familiar features of the countryside, including fields divided by hedges, dry-stone walls in some areas, and farm tracks linking farmland to villages and roads.

> **Key Term: countryside**  
> Land outside towns and cities, including farmland, woods, hills, moorland and small settlements.

Different parts of the UK have different farming traditions. For example, hill farms with sheep are common in upland areas, while lowland regions with richer soils may focus more on crops. Seasonal work such as harvesting and lambing is an important part of the rural calendar.

The countryside also supports other traditional activities:

- **Forestry** (managing woodland for timber and conservation)
- **Fishing** (important around the UK coast and in some rivers and lakes)

Coastal communities may depend heavily on fishing, and harbours around the UK land fish such as cod, haddock and shellfish. Forestry can supply timber for building and paper, and well-managed woods also provide habitats for wildlife and spaces for recreation.

You are not expected to memorise detailed production figures. The main exam focus is that the countryside is widely used for farming and that it supports outdoor activities and tourism.

Outdoor leisure is a major part of life in the UK. Many people visit the countryside for walking, cycling, camping (where permitted), fishing and other activities. This is helped by access routes such as public footpaths.

Visitors also spend money in local shops, pubs, cafés and accommodation, which can be very important for the rural economy. At the same time, heavy visitor numbers must be balanced with protecting the environment, which is why responsible behaviour is strongly encouraged.

### Public access and responsible behaviour in the countryside

The UK has a large network of paths and routes that people can use to walk through the countryside. These routes often cross privately owned land, but the public still has a legal right to use the path.

> **Key Term: public footpath**  
> A route that the public has a legal right to use on foot, even if it crosses private land.

Some areas also have other types of public rights of way, such as bridleways (which can be used by people on foot, on horseback and often by cyclists) and byways that motor vehicles can sometimes use. Maps, guidebooks and local signs usually show which routes are available and what activities are allowed.

When you use public access routes, the core expectation is simple: behave responsibly and follow local signs. For test purposes, you should know the kind of behaviour the UK expects in the countryside:

- Follow signposted routes and obey notices (for example, temporary closures)
- Respect people who live and work in rural areas
- Do not damage property (for example, fences and gates)
- Take litter home and protect wildlife
- Keep dogs under control and clean up after them

Dog control is often highlighted in UK rules and guidance because of the risk to livestock and wildlife. In farming areas, especially near sheep, you may see clear signs requiring dogs to be on a lead.

It is also important not to start fires or drop cigarettes in dry conditions, as wildfires can damage large areas of countryside and put people and animals at risk. Where there are designated picnic or barbecue areas, local rules will usually be clearly displayed.

> **Test Tip:** If you get a question about how to behave in the countryside, look for answers about **following signs, protecting the environment, and controlling dogs**. Avoid options suggesting you can ignore gates, leave litter, or disturb animals.

### National Parks in Great Britain

The UK protects important countryside areas so they can be enjoyed now and in the future. One of the most important forms of protection is the **National Park**.

There are **15 National Parks in England, Wales and Scotland**. (These are the National Parks commonly covered in Life in the UK revision. Northern Ireland has protected areas too, but the test fact you are usually asked is the “15 National Parks” figure for Great Britain.)

National Parks in the UK are different from the way some people imagine National Parks in other countries. They are not empty wilderness areas.

A UK National Park is protected countryside that people can visit, and it also includes communities where people live and work. Farming, villages and tourism can exist within National Parks, but the environment is protected through planning and conservation rules.

> **Key Term: National Park**  
> A protected area of countryside that the public can visit, where people also live and work and the land is managed to protect nature and scenery.

Examples of well-known National Parks include:

- **Lake District** (England)
- **Peak District** (England)
- **Snowdonia / Eryri** (Wales)
- **Loch Lomond and the Trossachs** (Scotland)

Other National Parks include areas such as Dartmoor, Exmoor, the Yorkshire Dales and the Cairngorms. Each park has its own character, but they all combine natural beauty with working communities and visitor facilities.

National Parks are strongly linked to outdoor activities such as hill walking and cycling. They are also linked to tourism, including visits to viewpoints, villages, lakes and historic sites.

A common misunderstanding is that being inside a National Park automatically means you can walk anywhere. In practice, access depends on public rights of way, open access areas where relevant, and local rules. For the test, the essential message is that National Parks are protected countryside open to visitors, but also living and working areas.

### The National Trust and National Trust for Scotland

Many countryside places and historic sites are kept open for public visits by charitable organisations. The Life in the UK Test expects you to know the role of the National Trust.

The **National Trust** works in **England, Wales and Northern Ireland**. The **National Trust for Scotland** does similar work in Scotland. They protect places such as:

- Historic buildings and houses
- Coastline
- Countryside and nature areas

The National Trust is a charity and a major volunteer-based organisation.

The key test facts are:

- The **National Trust was founded in 1895**
- It was founded by **three volunteers**
- There are now **more than 61,000 volunteers** who help the organisation

These volunteers support practical work (for example, maintaining sites) and visitor support (for example, welcoming people and running events).

> **Key Term: National Trust**  
> A charity (founded in 1895) that preserves important buildings, coastline and countryside, supported by members and volunteers.

Many National Trust and National Trust for Scotland properties charge for entry or parking, but paths through some countryside and coastal areas may be free to use. Membership schemes allow people to visit multiple places and help fund conservation work.

You do not need to memorise the names of the founders for most Life in the UK questions, but you should remember the founding date (1895) and that it relies on large-scale volunteering.

## Key Point Checklist

_This article has covered the following key knowledge points:_

- The UK has natural resources including coal, oil and natural gas
- UK oil and gas production is mainly from the North Sea
- Much of the UK is countryside, and a large amount is used for farming
- The countryside supports forestry and fishing as well as farming
- The UK has a large network of public footpaths for countryside access
- There are 15 National Parks in England, Wales and Scotland
- UK National Parks are protected countryside that people can visit, and where people live and work
- The National Trust protects buildings, coastline and countryside in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
- The National Trust for Scotland does similar work in Scotland
- The National Trust was founded in 1895 and has over 61,000 volunteers

## Key Terms and Concepts

- natural resources
- North Sea
- countryside
- public footpath
- National Park
- National Trust


Landscape and environment - Natural resources and countryside