About the National Landscape
The Chilterns is a landscape of remarkable beauty and distinctive character with a unique interaction of geological, ecological and cultural heritage features.
What is a National Landscape (formerly an AONB)?
A National Landscape, formerly an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)’ is a formal designation for an area of land that is of national importance for its natural beauty. National Landscapes have the same level of landscape quality and the same level of protection as our National Parks. Protection falls under the 1949 National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act and the Countryside Rights of Way Act 2000 (CRoW2000). The single purpose of National Landscape designation is ‘to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the area’.
National Landscapes are living, working landscapes that contribute more than £16 billion every year to the national economy. Over two-thirds of England’s population live within half an hour’s drive of an National Landscape and about 150 million people visit the English National Landscapes every year, spending more than £2 billion.
The National Landscapes Association promotes the conservation, enhancement and enjoyment of the UK’s National Landscapes and protected areas. Its membership is made up of National Landscape partnerships and boards, local authorities, environment organisations and individuals who care deeply about the UK’s outstanding countryside.
What is natural beauty?
The term ‘natural beauty’ is enshrined in the 1949 National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act. Although seemingly obvious, legislation makes it clear that natural beauty is not just the look of the landscape, but also includes the landform and geology, the plants and animals, the landscape features, and the rich history of human settlement over the centuries.
An area is designated as an National Landscape if it meets criteria that relate to natural beauty. This set of ‘special qualities’ includes things like the natural or man-made landscape, relative wildness, distinctive geology or habitats, and cultural heritage.
What makes the Chilterns special?
A rich natural tapestry
Panoramic views across a dramatic chalk escarpment – a globally rare landscape type interwoven with intimate valleys and rolling fields. Ancient hedgerows, trees, orchards and parkland weaving across farmland.
Unspoilt, tranquil countryside
One of the most accessible protected landscapes in Europe, with relative tranquillity, unspoilt countryside and dark skies on the doorstep of 10 million people.
Scarce and threatened species
Nationally important concentrations of species-rich chalk grassland that is home to scarce and threatened species, such as Chiltern gentian, wild candytuft, pasqueflower, silver-spotted skipper and glow-worm.
One of the most wooded landscapes in England
Over half of the woodland is ancient, including the Chilterns beech wood Special Area of Conservation (SAC, European designation). There are also significant box, juniper and beech-yew woods; veteran trees and relict wood pasture.
Nine precious chalk streams
A globally scarce habitat and home to some of the UK’s most endangered species, such as otter, water vole, reed bunting and brown trout.
A diverse archaeological landscape
Ancient parish boundaries, medieval field patterns, iron age hillforts, and remnants of woodland heritage like sawpits and charcoal hearths.
Ample common lands
More than 2,000 ha of common land, heaths and greens, rich in wildlife and cultural heritage.
Highly accessible
A network of 2,000 km of rights of way, including two national trails (the Ridgeway and Thames Path); two regional routes (the Chiltern Way and Chilterns Cycleway); and numerous ancient routes like the Icknield Way.
A rich industrial heritage
An industrial heritage of woodworking, quarrying, brick making and food production with windmills and watercress beds.
Distinctive buildings
Made from local brick, flint and clay tiles; attractive villages and notable buildings including stately homes and monuments; and a wealth of medieval churches.
What does the Chilterns AONB boundary mean?
The Chilterns AONB boundary can be seen on the map below. It shows the area that is designated under the two Acts of Parliament that protect special landscapes. It helps people to understand which places need careful consideration with regards to planning, development or land-use change. It is, however, a living and breathing boundary. Wildlife does not recognise it, and needs to move freely across it in order to thrive, and change outside it can have an effect within it. So, the Chilterns Conservation Board work both within it and throughout the surrounding area to ensure that their projects and work engage with the much wider community surrounding the boundary, and any outside development or land management is sensitive towards the AONB.
- The Chilterns AONB boundary is currently under review in the hope that an extension can be secured. Find out more on our Boundary Review page.
- The boundary of the Chilterns AONB does not stop us working with partners outside the area to enhance both the protected zone and the area beyond. Our Mend the Gap programme, for example, works across the Chilterns and the North Wessex Downs AONBs to enhance areas that have been negatively impacted by the electrification of the Great Western Railway.
Chilterns AONB map
Chilterns AONB Boundary Review
We are currently working with Natural England to explore both an extension to the Chilterns AONB and ways in which the management and governance arrangements for the AONB could be developed.
Managing the Chilterns AONB
The Chilterns AONB is managed by the Chilterns Conservation Board who oversee the work to conserve and enhance this beautiful and unique landscape. Their guiding tool is the Chilterns AONB Management Plan, which sets out the vision, policies and actions for the management of the AONB from 2019 to 2024. It describes how best to conserve, enhance and enjoy the Chilterns, helping all those with a responsibility for the AONB to care for it for current and future generations. It influences and shapes key policies, plans and processes affecting the area, such as development and transport plans.
The Chilterns Conservation Board is responsible for putting together the AONB Management Plan in consultation with local communities, public bodies, partners and agencies. The Board promotes the implementation of the Plan by a wide range of organisations and individuals with an interest in the area.
The Chilterns AONB Management Plan
Click below to find out more and download the Chilterns AONB Management Plan.
The Management Plan for the Chilterns National Landscape
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