The National Association for
Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is a designated exceptional landscape whose distinctive character and natural beauty are precious enough to be safeguarded in the national interest. AONBs are protected and enhanced for nature, people, business and culture.
England, Wales and Northern Ireland has 46 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, covering 18% of the countryside, over a fifth of the English coast, and including 12,000 miles of footpaths and bridleways.
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Green Space Dark Skies
The National Association for AONBs is excited to be working with Walk the Plank, the National Parks and Siemens UK to create gatherings where people will create beautiful choreographed artworks in their local landscape.
Click here to find out more about the project, how dark skies and nature will be cared for throughout and how you can get involved.
The Colchester Declaration
At the Landscapes for Life Conference 2019 the UK's Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty jointly made the Colchester Declaration #Declaration4Nature.
This is our pledge for nature: to protect what remains and restore what has been lost.
Environmental Land Management system - Tests and Trials
Twelve AONB teams across England are taking part in Defra's Environmental Land Management system tests and trials. The new ELM system will replace existing farm payment schemes from 2024. The AONB programme 'Farming for the Nation' (coordinated by the NAAONB) is made possible by the high level of collaboration across the network. It brings together hundreds of farmers across thousands of acres of land in a wide range of settings to test proposed elements of the new system, providing significant input for the scheme’s development ahead of its implementation.
Professor Sir John Lawton urges action on Nature Recovery
Ten years on from his landmark ‘Making Space for Nature’ report, and in context of the Government’s recent response to the Julian’s Glover’s 2019 Review of Designated Landscapes, Professor Sir John Lawton urges Government to invest in a future that delivers for Nature, Climate and People.
Best Poem of Landscape
The winner of the very first Ginkgo Prize - Best Poem of Landscape category announced.
Order your copy of the anthology of shortlisted poems here!
Art in the Landscape strategy
We are delighted that the National Association for AONBs' Board of Trustees has endorsed the Art in the Landscape Strategy prepared for us by Activate performing arts with input from a steering group of staff from AONB teams throughout England and Wales. This forms the next step in our commitment to working with artists to explore how we can create art within and inspired by our iconic landscapes, opening them up to a wider audience and enabling people to experience awe inspiring art in awe inspiring settings.
Amazing AONB Stories
AONBs are dynamic, living landscapes that underpin the economy and the health and wellbeing of the UK. We have put together a selection of stories which are a representation of what AONB teams are doing in an effort to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to take advantage of everything AONBs have to offer, whilst also learning how to enjoy and look after them.