Unique and irreplaceable

National Landscapes are unique and irreplaceable national assets and along with National Parks they represent our finest countryside. There are 38 National Landscapes in England and Wales, covering 18% of the country’s land area. There are also eight National Landscapes in Northern Ireland.

National Landscapes range in size from the Isles of Scilly (16 square km) to the Cotswolds (2,038 square km). National Landscapes have their roots in the same legislation that brought about the National Parks – the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act,1949, which has been consolidated by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.

Protected landscape

The UK’s National Landscapes and National Parks are within a worldwide category of protected areas known as ‘Protected Landscapes’, which has been devised by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Varied family

The North Pennines, at almost 2,000 square km, is the second largest National Landscape. These are special places, distinguished by the natural beauty of their distinctive and nationally important landscapes. In terms of landscape quality, National Landscapes are recognised as the equal of our National Parks and are given the same level of protection.