Where are all of the Areas of outstanding natural beauty?

28th March 20220

What are areas of outstanding natural beauty? 

An area of outstanding natural beauty is land protected by the Countryside and rights of way act 2000 (CROW Act). It protects the land to conserve and enhance its natural beauty. The CROW Act sets out the roles and responsibilities that different organisations must follow to manage AONBs.  

How many areas of outstanding natural beauty are there? 

There are 46 AONB in the throughout England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Areas of natural beauty cover about 18% of the UK countryside.  

No other country in the world has Areas of outstanding natural beauty.  

Are AONB and national parks the same?  

So, national parks are legally obliged to provide public recreational opportunities. Whereas, areas of natural beauty are not. In addition, Natural England is responsible for designing AONBs in England and advising the government and others on how they should be protected and managed.  

What is the largest AONB?  

The largest AONB is the Cotswolds, which is 787 square miles. However, the smallest AONB is the Isle of Scilly, which is 6.2 square miles.  

Where are the UK’s areas of outstanding natural beauty? 

England:  

  • Firstly, Arnside & Silverdale 
  • Blackdown Hills  
  • Cannock Chase 
  • Chichester Harbour  
  • Chilterns 
  • Cornwall  
  • Cotswolds 
  • Cranborne Chase  
  • Dedham Vale  
  • Dorset  
  • East Devon  
  • Forest of Bowland  
  • High Weald 
  • Howardian Hills 
  • Isle of Wight 
  • Isles of Scilly  
  • Kent Downs  
  • Lincolnshire Wolds 
  • Malvern Hills 
  • Mendip Hills  
  • Nidderdale 
  • Norfolk Coast  
  • North Devon  
  • North Pennines 
  • As well as, North Wessex Downs 
  • Northumberland Coast  
  • Quantock Hills  
  • Shropshire Hills  
  • Solway Coast 
  • South Devon  
  • Suffolk Coast & Heaths 
  • Surrey Hills  
  • Tamar Valley  
  • Finally, Wye Valley  

Wales:  

  • Firstly, Anglesey  
  • Clwydian Range & Dee Valley  
  • Gower 
  • Llyn  
  • Finally, Wye Valley  

Northern Ireland:  

  • Firstly, Antrim Coast and Glens  
  • Binevenagh  
  • Causeway Coast  
  • Lagan Valley  
  • Ring of Gullion  
  • Sperrin  
  • Strangford Lough

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The largest AONB is the Cotswolds, which is 787 square miles. However, the smallest AONB

is the Isle of Scilly, which is 6.2 square miles.