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Devon's Protected Landscapes

Devon's green and beautiful countryside is rightly treasured by natives and visitors alike, and recognition has been given to its world-class quality by the award of five Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), besides the presence of two National Parks within its boundaries. Indeed over half of Devon's land has environmental protection, helping us to preserve our wonderful heritage.

National Parks
Visiting Exmoor and Dartmoor, Devon's two National Parks, is to see a landscape that goes back into the mists of time, but you can be assured too of a warm welcome that is all today's. Rugged open moorland, narrow valleys and a wealth of wildlife in unspoilt countryside combine to impress all who visit these fascinating regions.

National parks are here to preserve the natural beauty of an area and encourage its wildlife and cultural heritage, while at the same time opening it up for enjoyment by all. And both Devon's National Parks are succeeding brilliantly. Ramblers, horse riders, cyclists, bird watchers - all find a warm welcome and plenty of guidance on where to go and what to do. Year round, you'll find events, festivals and guided walks.

Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs)
Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty are just what they say they are - precious landscapes of distinctive character and of a natural beauty so remarkable that it is in all our interests to safeguard them for future generations. Devon's AONBs are immensely varied in character, ranging from ancient woodland to dramatic cliffs, from windswept dunes to rolling pastoral lands.

The steep wooded gorges of the Tamar Valley AONB's drowned river system contrast with ancient woodlands and wetlands and disused mine workings. Picturesque South Devon AONB encapsulates the classic image of the pastoral Devon countryside: sunken lanes and flowering hedgerows, yet also offers the splendour of its Heritage Coast, with hidden coves, golden sands, calm wooded estuaries and jagged cliffs. North Devon AONB impresses with the drama of its rugged cliffs, sheer crags and razor-sharp reefs, contrasted with the beaches and dunes of Braunton Burrows and Barnstaple Bay.

The Blackdown Hills AONB combines a wide windswept plateau, dissected by deep valleys, with a dramatic steep northern scarp. Isolated communities live among ancient small fields and networks of deep lanes. The unspoilt holiday coast of East Devon AONB, with its sheer red sandstone cliffs cut by rivers, is backed by high remote plateaux and heathland commons.

Explore any of Devon's Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and you are guaranteed to cherish them too.