Blackdown Hills

For many, the Blackdown Hills epitomise the English countryside. Set on the Devon/Somerset border, its steep wooded ridges, river valleys, meadows and mires are rich in wildlife and heritage. Hembury is a Neolithic settlement, Brown Down takes us into the Bronze Age, there’s the Roman villa at Whitestaunton and medieval discoveries to make at Castle Neroche and Dunkeswell Abbey. Take wildlife walks through Thurlbear Wood and Quants and the rivers Yarty, Culm and Otter, home to beavers…and otters. There are great [...]

Blackdown Hills2021-06-01T14:15:56+00:00

Wye Valley

It’s said British tourism was born in the Wye Valley. Eighteenth century writers, artists and poets were inspired by it and put the river from Ross-on-Wye to Chepstow firmly ‘on the map’. History and the river are one. Iron Age hill forts look down on the hauntingly beautiful remains of Tintern Abbey and the valley’s almost hidden industrial heritage. The Angidy Trail walk brings this to life. Stunning viewpoints include the Eagle’s Nest, the Devil’s Pulpit and the iconic Symond’s Yat [...]

Wye Valley2021-05-18T17:00:54+00:00

Tamar Valley

The history rich and wooded Tamar Valley is centred on the rivers Tamar, Tavy and Lynher, straddling the Devon and Cornwall border. It’s marked out by four towns – Launceston, with its Norman castle and steam railway, Tavistock, known as the Gateway to Dartmoor, Callington with its mural trail, and Saltash, with Brunel’s amazing Royal Albert Bridge. This part of the world was shaped by its mining heritage – silver and tin and later, copper. Ride the copper mine train at [...]

Tamar Valley2021-05-18T16:10:11+00:00

Surrey Hills

The Surrey Hills are a kaleidoscope of countryside. From rolling chalk downs of yew and box woodland, and flower-rich grassland to heaths and woods that rise to the hills. Climb Leith Hill, with its 18th century tower, and Box Hill which, to many is the Surrey Hills. The Winkworth Arboretum puts trees in the spotlight – a thousand species in its 95 acres. Visit gracious times past at the Edwardian Polesden Lacey house and estate, the Tudor Loseley Park and the [...]

Surrey Hills2021-05-18T16:08:42+00:00

Suffolk Coast and Heaths

The Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB has recently grown! It’s been enlarged to include the Stour Estuary, in Essex, and ‘Constable Country’ between Brantham and East Bergholt. The AONB is a unique blend of shingle beaches, crumbling cliffs, marshes, estuaries, heathland, forests and farmland…quite a list, but then quite a place. Its rich history includes the Anglo-Saxon royal burial site at Sutton Hoo and Henry II’s Orford Castle. Aldeburgh and the world-famous Snape Maltings are central to the arts scene, with [...]

Suffolk Coast and Heaths2021-05-18T16:04:26+00:00

Strangford Lough and Lecale

An almost landlocked inlet of the Irish Sea, Strangford Lough and Lecale, is an amazing mix of sandy beaches, rocky shoreline, rolling countryside and hundreds of small wooded islands. Strangford and Portaferry keep guard over the Narrows that lead to the lough – 17 miles long and 4 miles wide.  The lough’s old Irish name means ‘lough of the harbours’ – it lives up to it. The Exploris aquarium takes you into the underwater home of the seals, porpoises and otters, while [...]

Strangford Lough and Lecale2021-05-18T16:00:27+00:00

South Devon

Some numbers…the South Devon AONB has around 100 miles of coastline, 200 miles of footpaths in 40 walks, five river estuaries and 70 beaches. Extending from Brixham to Plymouth and inland to Totnes. South Devon is a land of coves and cliffs fronting pastoral landscapes with wooded valleys and sunken lanes. Dartmouth reflects the rich history. Its magnificent river takes you deep inland to author Agatha Christie’s home, Greenway House. Burgh Island features in one of her books.Blackpool Sands and Bantham [...]

South Devon2021-05-18T15:59:14+00:00

Solway Coast

The Solway Coast is a mosaic of habitats and history set on 40 miles of low-lying Cumbrian coastline. The England Coast Path takes you past the spectacular dunes and salt marsh to seaward and grazing pastures and peatbogs inland. Explore one of the ten nature reserves, including the Solway Wetlands Centre with boardwalks to keep your feet dry.The Senhouse Roman Museum has one of the most important Roman collections in the UK, reminding us that the Hadrian’s Wall Path runs through [...]

Solway Coast2021-05-18T15:58:18+00:00

Shropshire Hills

The Shropshire Hills covers almost a quarter of Shropshire. Its 50 hills extend from the Wrekin to the Clun Forest and from Sliperstones across to the Clee Hills. The hills are a landscape of contrast – hills and crags, rivers and streams – fought over for centuries. Iron Age hill forts look down on the remains of medieval castles and the ditch and ramparts of the 8th century Offa’s Dyke, on the Welsh/English border. Stokesay Castle is one of England’s finest [...]

Shropshire Hills2021-05-18T15:56:05+00:00

Quantock Hills

The wild and tranquil Quantock Hills were England’s first AONB, set up in 1956.  Just west of Bridgwater, they run from the Somerset Levels to the Bristol Channel… and a fossil hunters’ paradise, to say nothing of the rockpools. Red deer and Quantock ponies roam the heathland, valleys and woods where the Great Wood is watched over by Lydeard Hill, Staple Plain and Beacon Hill. No towns in the Quantocks, just charming villages like Triscombe, Holford and Kingston St Mary, where [...]

Quantock Hills2021-05-18T15:54:23+00:00

North Wessex Downs

For North Wessex Downs AONB read ‘spoiled for choice’. A horseshoe of rolling chalk hills covering the Berkshire Downs, the Hampshire Downs, the White Horse Hills, the Lambourn Downs, the Marlborough Downs, the Vale of Pewsey and the ancient Savernake Forest…all magnificent in their own way. To pre-history, and Avebury, Europe’s largest Neolithic stone circle then saddle up for the Uffington White Horse, carved in the chalk hillside 3,000 years ago. Visit Highclere Castle – Downton Abbey to millions – and [...]

North Wessex Downs2021-06-01T14:11:13+00:00

Northumberland Coast

Sweeping sandy beaches, rocky headlands, flower rich dunes and wild islands, steeped in 7,000 years of human history. The Holy Island of Lindisfarne – to give it its full name – is the jewel in the crown of this part of the world. Visit the Castle and Priory and explore the national nature reserve, home to 50,000 birds. Bamburgh has a stunning castle overlooking family friendly sands, while Warkworth’s ancient fortress stands guard over the beautiful River Coquet estuary. The pretty [...]

Northumberland Coast2021-06-01T14:12:13+00:00

North Pennines

Step this way to High Force, at 75 feet England’s highest waterfall…and centrepiece of the North Pennines AONB. It’s a stunning landscape of moors and dales, rivers and woods, wildlife and heritage. Explore Hamsterley Forest, County Durham’s largest, on foot, cycle or horseback then navigate the Milky Way at one of the Dark Sky Discovery Sites. Relax at Garden Station, woods and gardens set around a Victorian railway station. Then it’s “all aboard” for trips into the heart of the Pennines [...]

North Pennines2021-05-18T15:50:30+00:00

North Devon Coast

The North Devon Coast AONB is also an ‘area of special places’ – from traditional family friendly resorts to rugged headlands to sandy beaches and rolling dunes. There’s Ilfracombe, with its harbour, grand villas and cottages and the more cosy Woolacombe and its renowned beaches. To the stunningly beautiful Hartland Peninsula, with views of Lundy Island, and on to nearby Speke’s Mill and Welcome Mouth, where waterfalls gush from the cliffs. Walkers-only at Clovelly, another village with its own waterfall.  The [...]

North Devon Coast2021-06-01T14:10:29+00:00

Norfolk Coast

Wild and vulnerable, the Norfolk Coast AONB has it all – stretching from the Wash through coastal marshes, cliffs and magnificent beaches to the vast sand dunes of Winterton. The traditional seaside towns of Hunstanton, the only east coast resort that faces west, and Cromer, with the last end-of-the-pier theatre, are great family bases. Then it’s on to Lord Nelson’s birthplace at Burnham Thorpe, and the 18th century grandeur of Holkham Hall. Take the train to the beach at Wells-next-the-Sea then a boat [...]

Norfolk Coast2021-05-18T15:11:29+00:00

Nidderdale

Set on the eastern flanks of the Pennines, in the heart of Yorkshire, the Nidderdale AONB is a land of wild moorland, secluded dales, spectacular wildlife and cultural heritage. Go back 320 million years to appreciate the bizarre Brimham Rocks. Then underground into the Stumps Cross Caverns with their colourful stalactite and stalagmite formations before plenty of fresh air at Yorke’s Folly, with its amazing views over Pateley Bridge and Lower Nidderdale. More fine views at Coldstones Cut and ‘The Ruin’ [...]

Nidderdale2021-05-18T15:02:38+00:00

Mendip Hills

Rising like a rampart a thousand feet above the Somerset Levels, the Mendip Hills AONB is a land of crags, gorges and valleys. Centrepiece is the Cheddar Gorge, England’s largest, and its caves and dramatic cliff top walk. Then there’s Wookey Hole, taking deep underground to a colourful spectacular – watch out for the witch! Black Down, the high point of the Mendips, has stunning views across to Wales, and with Burrington Ham has amazing wildlife and archaeological treasures. Deer Leap [...]

Mendip Hills2021-05-18T14:59:29+00:00

Malvern Hills

The flatlands and the floodplains of the Vale of Evesham have thrown up the inspirational Malvern Hills. Some see the outline of a sleeping dragon in the four ranges of hills with their views south, across the Severn estuary, to Devon, and north to Shropshire and even north Wales. The hilltops – a walkers’ and horse riders’ paradise – with their drovers’ trails, ancient hill forts and Victorian carriageways,  lead down to traditional orchards and farmland and their special wildlife. It’s [...]

Malvern Hills2021-05-18T14:49:40+00:00

Llyn Peninsula

Llyn Peninsula reaching 30 miles into the Irish Sea, is also known as Snowdon’s Arm. The cosy, seaside towns of Criccieth, with its castle, and Pwllheli and Abersoch are springboards into a land that’s steeped in Welsh culture, with stunning, sandy beaches and fascinating wildlife. The Wales Coast Path runs round the peninsula passing forts and churches pointing the way to Bardsey Island. Boat trips take you to this sacred centre of pilgrimage and internationally renowned nature reserve. Learn the heritage [...]

Llyn Peninsula2021-05-11T13:19:25+00:00

Lincolnshire Wolds

Described as the forgotten corner of England, the Lincolnshire Wolds lie between Lincoln and the coast, rising up from the fens and coastal marshes. The rolling hills have amazing views to the Pennines and the North Sea, and shelter the chalk stream valleys. Red Hill Nature Reserve lets you in on the wolds’ amazing wildlife which can also be seen from the Lincolnshire Wolds Railway. Bolingbroke Castle takes you back to medieval times along with the eerily deserted villages of North [...]

Lincolnshire Wolds2021-05-18T14:41:32+00:00
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