About AONBsAreas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) are designated by Government under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, solely on account of their natural beauty and with the aim of conserving and enhancing it.
About AONBs
The High Weald is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB ).It is one of 50 AONBs within England and Wales.
AONBs are part of a family of protected landscapes that includes National Parks and Heritage Coasts.
AONBs are designated by Government to ensure that the conservation and enhancement of the landscape is given high priority.
The High Weald became an AONB in 1983.
Protected Landscapes in the UK
AONBs, National Parks and Heritage Coasts, "England's finest countryside", are collectively known as 'protected landscapes'. They are unique national assets and are irreplaceable. They belong to the wider family of protected landscapes throughout Europe
Facts and figures
The total area of the High Weald AONB is 146,170 hectares (1,461 square kilometres). This makes the AONB the largest in South East England and the fourth largest in England and Wales (The largest being the Cotswolds AONB at 2,038 square kilometres and the smallest being the Isles of Scilly AONB at 16 square kilometres).
South East Protected Landscapes
There are 6 protected landscapes which lie wholly within the South East; the Surrey Hills, South Downs, Kent Downs, Isle of Wight, Chichester Harbour and High Weald .
Where is the High Weald boundary?
The map below indicates the boundary. If you need to find out if whether a property is within the AONB please ask your local council's planning department. A second port of call is the High Weald AONB Unit.
