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What is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty?
An Area of Outstanding Nature Beauty (AONB) is designated for its landscape and scenic beauty. This means that an AONB is not necessarily an area of high nature conservation value, but in practice it often includes many areas which are.
AONBs and National Parks are actually of equal importance for landscape and scenic beauty. The difference is that National Park Authorities exist and have special powers to conserve and enhance National Parks. AONBs in England are designated by Natural England.
Areas of Outstanding Nature Beauty in Dorset
There are 2 AONBs in Dorset:
- Dorset AONB - this is a collection of landscapes in Dorset
- Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs - this is countryside which overlaps the boundaries of Wiltshire, Dorset, Hampshire and Somerset