Welcome to Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
This nationally designated AONB covers 380 sq miles of countryside overlapping the boundaries of Wiltshire, Dorset, Hampshire and Somerset.
It is a diverse landscape offering areas of rolling chalk grassland, ancient woodlands, chalk escarpments, downland hillsides and chalk river valleys each with a distinct and recognisable character. The landscapes of the AONB today, as they were in the past, are extraordinarily rich.
Find out about:
Management Plan Survey
The team has to prepare a revised AONB Management Plan for 2014-19 and we need your input. More info & link to survey on the blog »
Announcing the 2013 Woodfair - 5th and 6th October 2013
We are moving this years Woodfair to Breamore House, on the edge of the New Forest between Salisbury and Ringwood, and promotion is underway. With trees to climb, theatre shows, have-a-go opportunities and a central arena offering wonderful spectacles on countryside pursuits it is a great day out for all the family.
www.woodfair.org
Not sure what an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is?
What is the AONB Partnership? What have we achieved so far? What would you like to see the AONB do?
THE HART - The latest edition of the now annually produced Hart magazine is Autumn 2012. Download The Hart Magazine (PDF)
The Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs AONB has over 900 miles of footpaths, bridleways and byways.
In order to help you get out and discover some of our favourite routes, we have set up pages devoted to walking, cycling and riding.
Contribute
We are always looking for new routes to add to our website, so if you have a favourite walk, cycle trail or horse ride, we'd love to hear from you!
The AONB has a wide variety of attractions, places to visit, and things to do. These range from historic places of interest such as Bokerley Dyke and the Fovant Badges to National Nature Reserves such as Martin Down.
More Info »
There are 7 museums located within the AONB, including the Breamore Countryside Museum near Fordingbridge, the aviation museum at Compton Abbas, Rockborne Roman Villa and the Royal Signals Museum at Blandford
More Info »
Other attractions include the Bush Farm Bison Centre at West Knoyle, and Longleat Safari Park
More Info »
Sustainable Tourism
Working in partnership with local visitor related businesses across the Nadder Valley area to promote green tourism and benefit the local economy. More Info »
South Wiltshire Farmland Bird Project
Working closely with farmers to stabilise and increase the numbers of farmland birds and rare arable plants. More Info »
Historic Environment Action Plans
A summary of the key characteristics of the historic environment of the AONB at a landscape scale. More Info »
Cranborne Chase Woodfair - 5 and 6 October 2013
A showcase for contemporary rural life focusing on woodland and associated craft More Info »
