Landscape Character

From the panoramic views of the stunning coastline to the mystery of the ancient hilltop forts, Dorset's outstanding landscapes have a very special character.

The Dorset AONB is blessed with some of the most beautiful and varied landscapes in England. The area is protected to conserve our diverse wildlife, celebrate our rich cultural heritage and provide a healthy environment for us to live in, work in and enjoy.

Conserving Character

Landscape character assessment & management guidance for the Dorset AONB

The beautiful landscapes we see today have been shaped by thousands of years of human activity with the environment. Impressive geological formations and natural processes have created landforms which man has helped shape into distinctive landscapes. Farming, forestry, and local industries have all left their mark, giving a unique sense of place and character to our countryside.

To help us understand the diverse character of our landscapes, they have been divided into 'Landscape Character Areas'. This approach helps us to know the distinct features and qualities of each area that give it its own identity. We can then make sure that these qualities are looked after and that future change fits in with the landscape. Download the document using the links below.

  1. 1. Front & back cover with contents  LCA_cover__contents.pdf 492.02 Kb

  3. 2. Introduction  LCA_intro.pdf 452.15 Kb

  5. 3. Overview of approach LCA_overview.pdf 363.24 Kb

  7. 4. Landscape types & character areas of the Dorset AONB LCA_landscape_type__area.pdf 315.52 Kb

    1. 5. Open Chalk Downland LCA_Open_Chalk_downland.pdf 1.46 Mb
      • Charlton Downs
      • South Dorset Downs
      • Dorchester Downs
      6. Chalk Ridge/Escarpment LCA_Chalk_Ridge_Escarp.pdf 2.10 Mb
    • Purbeck Ridge
    • North DorsetEscarpment
    • South Dorset Escarpment
    • West Dorset Escarpment
    1. 7. Chalk Valley & Downland LCA_Chalk_Valley_and_Downland.pdf 2.28 Mb
    • Upper North Winterborne Valley
    • Upper Milborne Valley
    • Upper Piddle Valley
    • Cerne & Sydling Valley
    • Upper Frome Valley
8. Clay Valley LCA_clay_valley.pdf 1.97 Mb
  • Corfe Valley
  • Kimmeridge Coast
  • Bride Valley
9. Lowland Heath LCA_lowland_heath.pdf 1.06 Mb
  • South Purbeck Heaths
10. Valley Pasture LCA_valley_pasture.pdf 1.15 Mb
  • Frome Valley Pasture
  • Stour Valley Pasture
11. Limestone Plateau LCA_limestone_plateau.pdf 1.27 Mb
  • Purbeck Plateau
12. Ridge & Vale LCA_ridge__vale.pdf 1.20 Mb
  • South Dorset Ridge & Vale
  • Osmington Ridge & Vale
13. Rolling Wooded & Pasture LCA_rolling_wooded_pasture.pdf 1.44 Mb
  • Lulworth Wooded Pasture
  • Rempstone Wooded Pasture
14. Coastal Grassland LCA_coastal_grassland.pdf 1.53 Mb
  • Bexington Coast
15. Clay Vale LCA_clay_vale.pdf 1.14 Mb
  • Marshwood Vale
  • Halstock Vale
16. Wooded Hills LCA_wooded_hills.pdf 2.35 Mb
  • Axe Valley Hills
  • Wootton Hills
  • Chideock Hills
  • Powerstock Hills
  • Powerstock Woods
17. Limestone Hills LCA_limestone_hills.pdf 924.38 Kb
  • Melbury Hills
18. Undulating River Valley LCA_undulating_River_Vall.pdf 1.42 Mb
  • Brit Valley
  • Axe Valley
19. Appendix LCA_appendix.pdf 748.67 Kb

 

 


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  • The Yeovil Scarplands

    The Yeovil Scarplands form the northwestern edge of the AONB, with the pleasant market town of Beaminster to the south. Its character is mixed with the meandering Axe Valley and associated dense 'ribbons' of trees providing a sharp contrast between the surrounding steep isolated escarpments.

  • The Weymouth Lowlands

    The Weymouth Lowlands form a significant coastal landscape in the Dorset AONB, with the chalk landscapes to the north and the coastal town of Weymouth to the east.

  • The Blackmore Vale

    The Blackmore (traditionally Blackmoor) Vale skirts the northern fringes of the AONB and is heavily influenced by the imposing chalk escarpment to its south. Its lush clay farmland, with dense hedges and scattered woodlands, provides a sharp contrast to the twisting and incised escarpment.

  • The Blackdowns

    The Blackdowns form the western edge of the Dorset AONB with a gradual transition to the Marshwood Vale and Yeovil Scarplands to the east. Although much of the area extends into the East Devon AONB, the coastal town of Lyme Regis to the south is a major tourist destination.

  • The Marshwood and Powerstock Vale

    The Marshwood and Powerstock Vales are to the west of the AONB with the vibrant market towns of Bridport to the south and Beaminster to the north. This is an intimate and varied landscape.

  • The Dorset Heaths

    These internationally important heathlands form the northern part of the Isle of Purbeck, around the southern fringes of Poole Harbour. With a largely open character, the areas of protected heathland habitats add a sense of wilderness with varying colours and textures.

  • South Purbeck

    Many of the AONB landscapes are represented on a small scale in South Purbeck. The huge diversity of the South Purbeck landscapes is largely due to its varied and unique geology, with a rich cultural and ecological interest.

  • The Dorset Downs

    The Dorset Downs boast some of the finest chalk scenery in southern England. This is the largest of the character areas within the AONB, forming an elevated 'backbone' of varied chalk landscapes.

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