National Landscapes in South East England

National Landscapes, formerly known as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), are protected areas recognized for their distinctive character and natural beauty. This page aggregates 7 such landscapes in South East England, including the Surrey Hills Aonb and the Chilterns Aonb. They feature a wide network of trails for outdoor activities.

The primary activities are hiking, cycling, and mountain biking, with more than 1,300 routes available across the region's National Landscapes. There are extensive networks of footpaths and bridleways suitable for these sports. Specific guides are available for Hiking in South East England and Road Cycling Routes in South East England.

This page includes routes and information for 7 designated National Landscapes in South East England. These are the Surrey Hills Aonb, Chilterns Aonb, High Weald Aonb, Kent Downs Aonb, North Wessex Downs Aonb, Chichester Harbour Aonb, and Isle of Wight Aonb.

The Chilterns Aonb is known for its prominent chalk escarpment, rolling hills, ancient beech woodlands, and dry valleys. The landscape includes a mix of farmland and traditional villages. This terrain provides varied routes for hiking and cycling, with over 100 hiking trails and around 30 road cycling routes available.

The Surrey Hills Aonb features a diverse landscape of chalk downs, wooded hills, and heathland. It is one of the most wooded protected landscapes in the UK and includes well-known viewpoints like Box Hill. The area offers over 100 hiking trails and is also popular for road cycling and mountain biking.

The High Weald Aonb is considered a well-preserved medieval landscape, characterized by small fields, ancient woodlands, sunken lanes, and scattered farmsteads. It has more woodland than any other National Landscape, providing a scenic backdrop for its 90+ hiking trails and numerous cycling routes.

Yes, many of the National Landscapes offer trails suitable for beginners and families. For example, the coastal paths in Chichester Harbour Aonb are generally flat and accessible. The extensive trail networks in all areas provide options with varying lengths and difficulty levels to suit different abilities.

The Kent Downs Aonb offers excellent cycling, with quiet country lanes and rolling terrain. There are approximately 28 road cycling routes and 24 touring bicycle routes available. The landscape is defined by its chalk ridge and offers views across the countryside and towards the coast.

The North Wessex Downs Aonb is a vast area of chalk downland, featuring open hills, wooded slopes, and river valleys. Its open terrain and ancient trackways, like the Ridgeway National Trail, make it ideal for hiking, cycling, and horse riding. The area contains over 80 hiking trails and around 27 road cycling routes.

National Landscapes are large-scale protected areas recognized for their scenic quality and cultural heritage, offering broad recreational opportunities. In contrast, Nature Reserves in South East England are typically smaller sites focused specifically on the conservation of wildlife, habitats, and geological features, often with managed access for observation.

The Isle Of Wight Aonb covers about half of the island and offers a diverse terrain of chalk downs, coastline, and woodland. Popular activities include hiking, with over 180 routes available, as well as road cycling and mountain biking along its extensive trail network.