Cotswolds National Landscape Information

The Cotswolds National Landscape has been a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) since 1966 in recognition of its rich, diverse and high quality landscape. It is the largest of 38 AONBs in England and Wales, and one of largest protected landscape in England after the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales. Covering 790 sq miles, the Cotswolds stretches from the City of Bath and Wiltshire in the south through Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire to Warwickshire and Worcestershire in the north. The Cotswolds National Landscape is looked after by the Cotswolds Conservation Board, an independent statutory body that works to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the Cotswolds AONB, to increase understanding and enjoyment of its special qualities, and to foster the social and economic well-being of local communities. It was established by Parliamentary Order in 2004 and is one of only two Conservation Boards in the country, the other being the Chilterns. It has 37 members drawn from local authorities, parish councils and communities across the Cotswolds, a staff team of 15 based in Northleach, Gloucestershire and 300+ voluntary wardens throughout the AONB.