Kent Downs

Woodlands and wetlands; historical and cultural heritage; tranquillity and remoteness: the Kent Downs. Stretching from the Surrey border to the White Cliffs of Dover, the classic chalk landscape of streams and rolling hills is one of the UK’s most wooded. Perry Wood is a gem. Enjoy an action-packed day at Dover Castle then the peace of the ruined 12th century fortress at Thurnham. Make the most of the scenery from viewpoints at Ide Hill, Lympne and the spectacular Devil’s Kneading Trough, [...]

Kent Downs2021-05-18T14:35:35+00:00

Isles of Scilly

The Isles of Scilly are a string of 140 islands 25 miles south of Cornwall that boast the mildest, warmest and sunniest climate in the UK…thanks to the Gulf Stream. The islands are covered in heathland fringed by beautiful white sandy beaches. The five inhabited islands – St Mary’s, Tresco, St Martin’s, St Agnes and Bryher – have a unique character, offering something different for visitors of all ages and interests. Tresco is dominated by the remains of Oliver Cromwell’s castle and hosts the renowned Tresco  Abbey [...]

Isles of Scilly2021-05-18T14:30:28+00:00

Isle of Wight

Well known for The Needles – jagged white chalk stacks reaching out into the Solent – the Isle of Wight is an island of contrasts. Famous for its beaches and the seafront promenades of Shanklin and Ventnor, and its sailing centres of Cowes and Yarmouth, it is mainly farmland with sheep grazing the downs and heaths and dairy herds the lower land. The AONB protects the Hamstead Heritage Coast in the north and Tennyson Heritage coast in the south. Dinosaur remains can be seen [...]

Isle of Wight2021-05-18T14:28:57+00:00

Isle of Anglesey

Immersed as it is in ancient history, the Isle of Anglesey was once known as the Mother of Wales. Its AONB covers most of the island’s 125-mile coastline, including Holyhead Mountain and Bodafon Mountain. In fact, the AONB makes up a third of the island. The Anglesey Coast Path is a great way to explore, taking in the Benllech and Rhosneigr beaches. Into Beaumaris with its pier and views to Snowdonia and its magnificent 13th century castle. Then there’s the 18th [...]

Isle of Anglesey2021-05-18T14:27:31+00:00

Howardian Hills

The intriguingly named Howardian Hills are a treasure house of scenic villages, classic parkland and history set between the North York Moors National Park, the Yorkshire Wolds and the Vale of York.  Wooded rolling countryside has the majestic Castle Howard, Nunnington Hall and Ampleforth Abbey. Peace reigns in the ruins of Kirkham Abbey, overlooking the River Derwent, and the Yorkshire Arboretum. And there are the classic market towns of Malton, Pickering, Helmsley and Easingwold.

Howardian Hills2021-05-18T14:26:20+00:00

High Weald

Kent, Sussex and Surrey share the ancient wooded hills and sandstone outcrops of the High Weald. It wraps itself around busy towns such as Tunbridge Wells and Hastings and soon takes you into its rural idyll of castles, manor houses, parks and gardens. There’s Bedgebury Forest, with miles of walks and cycle tracks, Bewl Water for the angler, Harrison’s Rocks for the climber and a trio of treats for the steam railway enthusiast, the Bluebell Railway, the Spa Valley Railway and [...]

High Weald2021-05-18T14:25:21+00:00

Gower Peninsula

In 1956, the Gower Peninsula became the UK’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the Bristol Channel, it has some of the richest wildlife habitats in Wales. The village of Oxwich has a national nature reserve. It also boasts a 6th century church, a castle and more than two miles of sandy beach and dunes. Beaches, cliffs and wildlife make Rhossili Bay a popular spot, along with Three Cliffs Bay and Horton for the bucket [...]

Gower Peninsula2021-05-18T14:24:19+00:00

Forest of Bowland

Speeding up the M6, in Lancashire, it’s too easy to miss the magical Forest of Bowland, with its steep, wooded valleys,  high moorland and grit stone fells. It’s wild. From Beacon Fell Country Park, see across Morecambe Bay, then marvel at the Trough of Bowland, the most iconic stretch of countryside in Lancashire. Visit the ancient castles of the Lune Valley on your way to the grand houses of Browsholme and Leagram. The wilderness wins during the day. At night, navigate [...]

Forest of Bowland2021-05-11T13:27:33+00:00

East Devon

East Devon quietly gets on with giving us a fascinatingly beautiful view of life during the past 250,000 years. Running from Exmouth to just before Lyme Regis, the area’s beaches and cliffs are part of the Jurassic Coast, taking geologists and holiday explorers back 185 million years. Just off the beach is the National Trust village of Branscombe, then it’s onto the coastal path to Beer, with its smuggling history and underground quarry. Sidmouth and Budleigh Salterton round off the coast.  [...]

East Devon2021-05-18T14:22:43+00:00

Dorset

Zoom through time in Dorset. Your journey starts 185 million years ago on the fossil strewn beaches of Dorset’s Jurassic Coast, including Kimmeridge Bay. Then it’s on to the Iron Age and the haunting hilltop settlement of Maiden Castle, outside Dorchester. To the Middle Ages and the teetering ruins of Corfe Castle before visiting the sites of Hardy’s Wessex that found their way into the great writer’s works. The South West Coast Path beckons with some of its most spectacular and [...]

Dorset2021-05-18T14:21:40+00:00

Dedham Vale

The Dedham Vale is the jewel in the crown in the classic English landscape of the River Stour. Snaking its boundary way between Suffolk and Essex, the Stour Valley has lanes and byways perfect for walkers and cyclists. All roads lead to Dedham and its valley that inspired the landscape painter, John Constable, to give us The Haywain along with Willy Lott’s Cottage, Flatford Mill and Dedham Lock, which can still be seen.

Dedham Vale2021-06-01T14:19:39+00:00

Cranborne Chase

Chalk is the foundation of the gentle Cranborne Chase. Overlapping the boundaries of Wiltshire, Dorset, Hampshire and Somerset, its grassland, ancient woodland, chalk slopes and downland hillsides drop down to precious chalk river valleys. From the steep slope of Winklebury Hill, above the village of Berwick St John, you’re surveying farmland of the Bronze Age. There’s Old Wardour Castle, the Bradbury Rings hill fort, Sixpenny Handley woods and Martin Down and Bokerley Dyke, all showcasing this understated landscape.

Cranborne Chase2021-05-11T13:35:16+00:00

Cotswolds

Mention the Cotswolds and most potential visitors think of the tourist honeypots of Bibury, Castle Combe and Bourton-on-the-Water. The Cotswolds are, in fact, the gentle hills nestling on the steep slopes running down the western edge of Gloucestershire. Away from the crowds, the Cotswold Way takes you to many stunning views across the River Severn to Wales. History litters the path with highlights including the Neolithic burial sites of Belas Knap and Uley, also known as Hetty Pegler’s Tump, and the [...]

Cotswolds2021-05-18T14:18:46+00:00

Cornwall

Cornwall is unique in that nearly a third of the county is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – made  up of spectacular coastlines, rugged uplands, stunning beaches and tranquil wooded river valleys. Twelve separate areas make up this AONB. Let’s take a quick tour, starting in the north east… HARTLAND Features superb coastal scenery with heathland and granite cliffs. The forested Coombe Valley with its hamlet and nature reserve leads down to Duckpool Beach. Just on from Morwenstow, with its Norman [...]

Cornwall2021-05-18T14:16:13+00:00

Clwydian Range and Dee Valley

Hills and mountains, moorland and cliffs, steep river valleys and ancient woodland. With its fascinating heritage, this AONB  lives up to its brief.  A chain of Iron Age hillforts looks down on the medieval beauty, Crucis Abbey, with its rose window and vaulted chapter house. Chirk Castle is the last Welsh castle from the reign of Edward I.  This imposing Marcher fortress has views over nine counties. Into the Industrial Revolution and ‘canal mania’. The amazing Pontcysyllte Aqueduct takes the Llangollen Canal across [...]

Clwydian Range and Dee Valley2021-05-18T14:14:04+00:00

Chilterns

Like battlements defending London’s north west flank, the rounded chalk hills of the Chilterns are a treasure house of walks, views, history and fun. With its beech woods and bluebells, the Chilterns inspired artists and writers such as Jerome K. Jerome, Stanley Spencer and Roald Dahl, whose children’s work is celebrated at a story centre in Great Missenden. Near London but “far away in the hills” the nobility built fine houses. Hughenden Manor, West Wycombe Park and Cliveden all have stories [...]

Chilterns2021-05-18T14:07:48+00:00

Chichester Harbour

For Chichester Harbour read Land and Sea. Set against a backdrop of the South Downs National Park, in West Sussex, the harbour’s tidal channels lead to a maze of inlets and creeks that criss-cross the saltmarsh and mudflats. These are visited by many thousands of waders and wildfowl and a colony of harbour seals. Boat trips let you explore this watery wilderness, 60 miles of footpaths take you inland. Shingle beach and sand dunes are edged with wind-blasted oaks in ancient [...]

Chichester Harbour2021-05-18T14:04:20+00:00

Cannock Chase

They call it the Jewel of the West Midlands. Cannock Chase, England’s smallest AONB, lives up to the title with ancient woodland, river valleys, wetlands and heaths contained in just 26 square miles. The Iron Age Castle Ring hill fort has fine panoramas, then it’s on to the 18th century and the splendours of Shugborough Hall and its 900 acres of parkland. A forest, known as the Chase because of its hunting history, lies between them. It’s home to a large [...]

Cannock Chase2021-05-18T13:49:42+00:00

Arnside and Silverdale

Arnside and Silverdale is a special place. Sitting on the Cumbria and Lancashire borders, overlooking the shimmering sands of Morecambe Bay, its landscapes and wildlife are awe-inspiring. From the heights of Arnside Knott see the Lakeland Fells, the Yorkshire Dales and, on a clear day, Blackpool Tower. The limestone hills lead down to villages, including Silverdale and Arnside itself, on the shores of Morecambe Bay, where the tidal bore roars in “at the speed of a galloping horse”. At the village [...]

Arnside and Silverdale2021-05-18T14:02:44+00:00
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