Protected Rural Landscapes
England's nine National Parks and 34 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) cover in total 22% of England's land area. As well as being high quality landscapes, National Parks and AONBs contain some of our most important historic sites.
Between them the English National Parks contain:
- A quarter of the national total of protected archaeological sites
- Over 4,000 listed buildings and
- More than 500 designated historic areas.
This historic character of AONB landscapes underpins their distinctiveness and sense-of-place. AONBs in England contain some of our most important historic sites, they are home to:
- More than 49,000 listed buildings
- Over 4,600 nationally important ancient monuments
- 300 designated historic parks and gardens.
- Several AONBs also include parts of internationally important World Heritage Sites.
Historic England has developed a special relationship with these protected areas. We’ve had a Joint Statement with the National Parks since 1995 and the National Association of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty since 2004.
The Joint Statements represent a commitment by the organisations to work in partnership in order to promote the conservation, understanding and public enjoyment of the heritage in these special areas.
Joint Statement on the Historic Environment in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
A declaration of ambition and intent made between the 34 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England, Historic England and the National Association for AONBs (NAAONB).
In this section
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What Is Rural Heritage?
England's rural landscape includes a great range of heritage assets from historic buildings to archaeological remains.
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Farm Buildings and Traditional Farmsteads
Our advice and approach for ensuring the historic character, survival and use of traditional and historic farm buildings.
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Support and Funding for Rural Heritage
Rural heritage can benefit from programmes that offer advice and funding for the care of heritage in rural settings.
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Metal Detecting
A summary of the conditions regarding metal detecting on agri-environment land.
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Creating New Woodland
Find the information and advice you need to create new woodland whilst also protecting the historic environment.
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Protected Rural Landscapes
How we work with National Parks and the National Association of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
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Landscapes & Areas
The historic environment is managed not only at the level of individual buildings, sites or monuments, but also in terms of entire landscapes.
