Areas of outstanding natural beauty

Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs

Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs AONB covers 981 square kilometres (379 square miles), and is the sixth largest Area of Oustanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in the country.

The area's boundary stretches from Frome and Warminster in the west, skirting around Mere, Gillingham and Shaftesbury to Blandford Forum in the south, and across to Salisbury in the east.

Nearly half of the area lies within Salisbury District, with the rest reaching into West Wiltshire, Dorset, Hampshire and Somerset.

Why is the area special?

Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs AONB has a combination of features that make it special:

A beautiful frosted landscape

Copyright: Countryside Agency.
Photographer: Nick Turner 02-7496.

  • High visual quality of the landscape
  • High ecological importance
  • Historic and cultural significance: 396 Scheduled Ancient Monuments
  • A deeply rural and tranquil area with scattered villages and narrow roads

The area also offers:

  • Panoramic views
  • A diverse range of wildlife and landscapes
  • Numerous footpaths and cycleways including long-distance routes such as the Wessex Ridgeway, Jubilee Trail, Monarchs Way and parts of the Macmillan and Stour Valley ways. The Wiltshire Cycleway also runs across the area.

Where can I get more information on what I can find and do there?

The Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs AONB has an excellent website that allows you to discover:

  • the geological, natural and human history of the area
  • the character of the area today
  • events and attractions
  • details of how you can get involved
  • the AONB's management plan
  • how you can give your views on the area and how it is managed

Visit the Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs website.

What does the AONB designation mean for local residents?

Man pedalling recumbent bicycle down a country lane

Copyright: Countryside Agency.
Photographer: Nick Smith 03-6951.

The primary purpose of an AONB designation is to conserve and enhance natural beauty. But there are also many benefits for those living within or near an AONB:

  • Gives the area greater recognition and status as one of the country's most important landscapes
  • Encourages sustainable development, where the needs of local people, the local economy, the landscape and wildlife are balanced
  • Brings in additional money, grants and other resources into the area
  • Has enabled a dedicated team to be employed who work solely in the AONB
  • The management plan is accessible for all people to see, and through the management plan and annual Forum meetings, local people can get involved with and influence decisions that are made
  • Focuses attention on the needs of the area
  • Allows the area to be promoted as an economic resource, benefiting local businesses such as accommodation providers and food producers

What is Salisbury District Council's involvement?

Salisbury District Council plays a very active part in local conservation and the environment. For the AONB, the council:

  • helps to fund the AONB partnership, alongside the other local authorities and the Countryside Agency
  • is an active partner within the AONB partnership
  • provides technical advice and guidance where needed

What is the AONB partnership?

Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs AONB has a dedicated team of 4 staff.

The team is guided by a Partnership Panel made up of bodies representing local people, parish councils, the 11 local authorities involved in the area, and local, regional and national bodies who have an interest in decisions that are made.

These partners, together with local people attending annual Forum meetings, have worked together to prepare the first Management Plan for the AONB, launched in July 2004.

You can find more information on the Management Plan, and view or download a copy, at the Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs website.

Contact

The team are based at:

  • AONB Office
    Castle Street
    Cranborne
    Dorset
    BH21 5PZ
  • Tel: 01725 517417
  • Fax: 01725 517916
  • email: info@cranbornechase.uk

Salisbury District Council also manages two officially designated local nature reserves: The Avon Valley local nature reserve and Bemerton Heath and Barnard's Folly nature reserve.

Environment and nature

Special Areas of Conservation

Related information

Useful links

Contact details:

Telephone:
01725 517417

Fax:
01725 517916

email:
info@cranbornechase.uk

Postal address:
AONB Office
Castle Street
Cranborne
Dorset
BH21 5PZ