Welcome to the Dorset AONB

This year, the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is 50 years old!

It’s been 50 years since almost half of Dorset received official recognition as a very special landscape. Its designation as the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1959 placed it safely in a family of nationally important protected landscapes.

To celebrate this 50th anniversary, hundreds of people joined us to discover and share their enthusiasm for the landscape, their Love for the Land.

A new 2010 calendar which captures just some of what people said they love about the land during our 50th anniversary year is out now. Email us to request your FREE copy.

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Latest News

  • live IT! loveIT film IT!

    Are you aged between 14 and 25? Have you ever wanted to make a film? Do you know the South Dorset Ridgeway? Then you might be interested in taking part in a project to capture the spirit of this unique landscape in a 3 minute film.

  • Love for the Land Photo Competition Winners

    The Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership closes celebrations of its’ 50th anniversary this week with the announcement of the winner of it’s Love for the Land Photo Competition.

     

  • Transport of the future?

    Can boats ever be a realistic form of transport along the Dorset and East Devon Coast in the future? This is the subject tackled be a searching new study, looking at whether the sea will provide viable passenger transport opportunties in the long term.

    To read the report and find out more, click here.

  • Action Plan for the Coast - tell us what you think!

    The Dorset and East Devon coast is a very special place - but under very special pressures too. A draft Coastal Corridor Action Plan has just been launched to help key organisations work together to tackle these pressures with shared priorities for action.

    If you live near the coast, have a business there or are a visitor, please do look at the actions in the Plan and let us know what you think.

    For more information and to download the plan, click here.

  • Job vacancy

    Do you want to play a lead role in conserving and enhancing one of the most stunning protected landscapes in the country? The Dorset AONB Partnership is seeking an enthusiastic and highly motivated officer to lead on countryside policy in the AONB and to deliver wide-ranging innovative landscape, heritage and land management projects.

    The AONB team is seeking a full-time Countryside Officer - a key person in delivering the AONB Management Plan.

     

Latest Events

  • Wed Feb 10 @ 10:0015:00

    Wednesday Winter Work Party

    Practical work on the reserve, to restore the habitats important for local wildlife. Tools and gloves provided. Wear warm waterproof clothing and suitable footwear. Bring lunch. Call to confirm meeting point.

  • Wed Feb 10 @ 18:30

    Mineral Springs and Spas in Dorset and South Somerset

    A talk by John Mather, Royal Holloway College.

  • Thu Feb 11 @ 10:3012:30

    Roman Sandals to Steel Toe Caps

    A 2 mile walk to explore the landscape around Langton Matavers where Purbeck limestone and marble have been quarried for two thousand years. This event requires booking.

  • Sat Feb 13 @ 09:30

    Birds of Blashford Lakes

    A guided walk and bird watch around the wonderful Blashford Lakes. Led by Trevor Thorpe. This event requires booking.

  • Sat Feb 13 @ 10:3012:30

    Fossil Hunting Walk

    Join the Warden Team for a fossil hunting walk, starting with a 20 minute talk before heading out onto the beach to look for fossils! This event requires booking.