Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

AONBs (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) are areas of countryside in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, that have been designated for conservation due to their significant landscape value.

There are 46 AONBs in Britain (33 wholly in England, four wholly in Wales, one that straddles the Anglo-Welsh border and eight in Northern Ireland). In Scotland a comparable designation is the NSA.

An area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) is land protected by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CROW Act). It protects the land to conserve and enhance its natural beauty.

The CROW Act sets out the roles and responsibilities that different organisations must follow to manage AONBs. There are 34 AONBs in England. See the map of AONBs in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

This guidance is for England only. Visit the relevant websites for AONB management in Wales and Northern Ireland.