Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Information

The Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is made up of 12 separate geographical areas and covers approximately 30% of Cornwall. The purpose of the AONB designation is to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the area. The designation gives a formal recognition to an area’s landscape importance and allows for the development of communities and economic activity. However development is only permitted in ways that enhance the landscape character of the AONB. The Cornwall AONB covers an area of 958 sq km (370 sq miles). It is one of 47 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the UK which, along with National Parks, represent the most outstanding examples of countryside landscape The Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty was designated in 1959 under the National Parks Act (with the Camel Estuary section being added in 1983). It received enhanced status under the Countryside and rights of Way (CROW) Act in 2000 which confirmed AONB status as equal to that of National Parks.