AONB in Cornwall
Special protected landscapes
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Nearly a third of Cornwall is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and includes some spectacular coast, the rugged uplands and the tranquil wooded river valleys. The Cornwall Area of AONB, one of 46 in the UK, is unique in that it consists of 12 separate geographical areas but is one single AONB. These sections include 10 stretches of Cornish coastline as well as the Camel Estuary and Bodmin Moor.
The Cornwall AONB has the same status and protection as a National Park. It is looked after by a partnership made up of Cornwall Council, voluntary bodies, landowners and communities. Keeping the best bits of Cornwall as beautiful as possible is in everyone’s interests. Tourism is Cornwall’s largest industry and most of our visitors say that our special landscape as the main reason they come to Cornwall. Businesses often thrive in the most beautiful areas (and many would love to relocate to them). Fishing and the marine industries contribute to the character of the AONB and the landscape is often the inspiration for Cornwall’s creative artists, writers and performers. Protecting the landscape enhances bio-diversity and ensures the survival of many rare species. And the AONB is home to many hugely important historic and archaeological sites while the geology is complex, fascinating and varied.
