AONB

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Protected areas of exceptional natural and cultural heritage. An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is a designated area of countryside in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland that is protected due to its significant landscape value and scenic beauty.

There are 46 AONBs across the UK, with 34 in England, 4 in Wales, 1 straddling England and Wales, and 9 in Northern Ireland. AONBs in England and Wales cover approximately 18% of the countryside in these countries. As of November 22, 2023, AONBs in England and Wales have adopted the additional name “National Landscapes,” though the legal term remains “area of outstanding natural beauty”.