So much more than the view… England’s Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and National Parks EXIT HOME NEXT Public spending on AONBs and National Parks £1IS LESS THAN PER PERSON PER YEAR Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) and National Parks are the most beautiful and cherished landscapes in England. They are rightly regarded as a treasured natural resource and are internationally recognised for their special qualities. Covering a quarter of England, these are our finest landscapes, with iconic archaeological, geological and historical sites and valuable wildlife habitats. They are visited by millions of people every year and are home to thriving communities who live and work in these beautiful areas. People are passionate about AONBs and National Parks and care 029 2046 1021 2046 029 deeply about their future. Those who visit, live or work within these special landscapes, enjoy the wide range of benefits that they provide for people and wildlife. They may not realise, however, that these dynamic, living landscapes underpin the economy and the health and wellbeing of society and that all these benefits come at / [email protected] / / [email protected] / a very low cost to the English taxpayer – at less than £1 per person a year. Penknife Ltd Ltd Penknife This document has been designed to be read as a pdf on a computer screen. You can navigate through the document by Design / Design using the arrows on each page. 2 Front cover: Main image - The sun sets on Sutton Bank in the North York Moors National Park, © VisitEngland Images Other images - © VisitEngland, DNPA, Gibsons of Scilly, Real Staithes EXIT HOME NEXT PREVIOUS SO MUCH MORE THAN THE VIEW… // PAGE 3 National Parks and AONBs are HOME TO OVER Overlooking Keswick in the Lake District England’s National Parks and AONBs are living, working landscapes, notable for their natural Combined GVA of beauty and cultural heritage. Visited by millions of people every year, they are home to thriving National Parks and communities who care passionately for these beautiful areas in which they live and work. AONBs is more than National Park Authorities and AONB There are more than 85,500 businesses, in rural businesses by providing training, £20BN Partnerships and Conservation Boards from all sectors of the economy, located grants, advice, and provision of starter – similar to that of aim to maintain thriving, living in England’s National Parks and AONBs. units, business networks, Birmingham landscapes, where natural assets are They are mainly small businesses and apprenticeships and other activities to conserved and enhanced and where sole traders but some national and help rural entrepreneurs start or grow people, businesses and communities can international companies operate in our their businesses. prosper, now and in the future. finest landscapes. The economies of our National Parks and AONBs are reliant on tourism, agriculture and other land-based activities. These activities depend on high quality natural environments that the landscapes provide; but can also help maintain and enhance those environments. Attracted by the qualities of our finest landscapes, technology and creative industries are also flourishing. Diversity is the key to strong economies. We support innovation and diversification Joe Coughlan of Yorkshire Organic Millers, North York Moors apprentices Hexham Hub business start-up units, North York Moors National Park construct a boardwalk Northumberland EXIT HOME NEXT PREVIOUS PAGE 4 // SO MUCH MORE THAN THE VIEW… 260m people visit AONBs and National Parks annually, spending in excess of £6bn and supporting thousands of jobs and businesses Mountains and moorland, lakes and coast, woodland and grassland, castles and cottages - there are so many varied and beautiful places to visit and enjoy in our AONBs and National Parks. As a nation, we love visiting beautiful These visitors help support vibrant rural places - whether for a short walk or ride, communities, thousands of rural a holiday break, to climb, canoe or businesses and over 120,000 jobs. North Pennines capture the scene in a photo or painting. Windermere Cruises alone attracts 1.4 Electric Bike AONBs and National Parks are truly million visitors a year to the Lake District popular places with 260 million visitors National Park. Network a year. This is more than 40 times the The quiet roads and stunning annual number of visitors to the British Leading the way in sustainable tourism and scenery of the North Pennines AONB Museum. dark sky tourism, we work to gain international recognition for the special are a huge draw for all cyclists – opportunities these areas offer. We also road, mountain and family. But the terrain is quite challenging for promote these opportunities by working some. The Electric Bike Network with others including VisitEngland and aims to increase participation by VisitBritain. all, providing an additional income Ensuring an excellent experience for all stream for businesses and a Bikes available for hire visitors is our goal. Investing in sustainable sustainable form of transport for transport options or new infrastructure, visitors to discover the North Pennines Taking part in English Tourism Week and landscape. There are 24 bikes available from 11 Hire Points across the VisitBritain’s GREAT campaign promotes our such as visitor centres, are some of the AONB, with plans for expansion. amazing landscapes to worldwide audiences ways we do this. 44 EXIT HOME NEXT PREVIOUS SO MUCH MORE THAN THE VIEW… // PAGE 5 The Electric Eel quietly carries passengers on a wildlife water trail along the hidden dykes behind the How Hill National Nature Reserve, Broads National Park. Children enjoying the dark skies AONBs and National Parks are part of Similar partnerships and activities benefit businesses a network of 131 protected areas and communities in other Charter areas such as in 16 countries developing and Exmoor (Exmoor Tourism Partnership) and the Broads promoting sustainable tourism (Love the Broads and the STEP partnership). Exmoor star trails and though the European Charter Blagdon Cross signpost is st k a r o a for Sustainable Tourism in c P h l lis a ng n Exploring the universe from our of the E tio Protected Areas. in Na an AONB or special landscapes The Forest of Bowland AONB was the first area in England to AONBs and National Parks are at the forefront of the be awarded the European Charter in boom in dark skies tourism as interest in astronomy 2005. A programme of activity was is on the rise. Northumberland is Europe’s first Dark developed in collaboration with businesses and Sky Park and Exmoor was Europe’s first Dark Sky communities to help businesses develop sustainable Reserve. Both have seen a boost in visitor numbers activities and communities to celebrate their special and benefits to tourism businesses of a year round attraction – the night sky. Other AONBs and National and distinctive qualities. The AONB Partnership Parks are applying for this special status which supports a network of sustainable tourism businesses attracts visitors of all ages. The North Pennines AONB – Bowland Experience – to provide a framework for has some of the darkest skies in the country with 16 supporting and promoting tourism products and official Dark Sky Discovery Sites. businesses in the area. Enjoying the Brockhole Visitor Centre in the Lake District National Park EXIT HOME NEXT PREVIOUS PAGE 6 // SO MUCH MORE THAN THE VIEW… MORE 66% THAN of people in England live within1 hrs travel of / a National 2 Park or AONB No ticket barriers, no entry fees – our National Parks and AONBs are open to everyone, 24/7, all year round. River Dart, Holne Bridge National Park Authorities and AONB We also provide opportunities and Partnerships and Conservation Boards facilities such as Miles without Stiles work with a wide range of organisations routes which are useable by anyone to reach out to communities who might including parents with buggies, Young Rangers not otherwise have the chance to visit wheelchair users or people with limited Scheme the countryside and engage with new mobility who might find ordinary footpaths audiences who can enjoy and be too difficult to negotiate. The Mendip Hills AONB inspired by these beautiful places. introduced a Young Rangers Scheme in 2005 linked to the EUROPARC Junior Ranger programme. The scheme offers a 2-year programme of varied activities, held once a month, for 15 Young Young Rangers in the Mendip Hills Rangers aged 13-15 years selected from local schools. The young rangers work locally but also have the opportunity to attend the annual European Young Ranger conference and learn about other countries and cultures too. 6 Disabled Ramblers group on moorland trip with rangers EXIT HOME NEXT PREVIOUS SO MUCH MORE THAN THE VIEW… // PAGE 7 Family walking through Dalby Forest in the North York Moors National Park We offer opportunities for all ages to get involved and experience what our finest landscapes have to offer. A ranger or Cropton Forest in the Snow volunteer guide can accompany a group to talk about the landscape, heritage and wildlife. To help us keep our National Parks and AONBs special and accessible to all, our National Park and AONB enthusiastic volunteers contribute over volunteers 500,000 work days worth over £40 million put in over half a million each year clearing scrub, repairing paths, work days leading walks, working in visitor centres, a year, worth surveying habitats, mending walls, marshalling events and a myriad of other £40m activities. to conserve the landscape and improve access Mosaic Young Champions get hands on Top: Malham day out, Yorkshire Dales National Park with new born lambs in Grinton, Yorkshire Dales National Park Below: Fishing under licence at Kilnsey Park Estate, Wharfedale EXIT HOME NEXT PREVIOUS Our beautiful landscapes have provided inspiration for some of our greatest works of art and literature from poets, novelists, painters, photographers, musicians, film makers and all forms of creative art and craft.