The Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty covers 380 square miles of Dorset, Hampshire, Somerset and Wiltshire. Through this website you can Explore the fascinating archaeology and history of the landscape of this special and unique area. Discover the character of its historic landscape. Learn how we are helping to conserve this unique heritage using Historic Landscape Characterisation and Historic Environment Action Plans.

Visit the Historic Landscape Blog

Exploring

the Historic Landscape

Timeline

Timeline

view the AONB timeline from Palaeolithic to the present day


Themes

A rich history

explore the significant features of the AONB, including spectacular Prehistoric archaeology and Medieval landscapes

Exploring

History of Exploration

find out about the historical figures including Pitt Rivers who helped discover the story of the AONBs past

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Characterising

the Historic Landscape

Historic Character

Historic Character

explore the historic character of the present day landscape of the AONB


Timedepth

Time depth

dig into the traces of past human activity visible in the landscape that we see today


Historic Routeways

Routeways

learn about the historic character of the paths, green lanes, tracks and roads of the AONB


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Conserving

the Historic Landscape

Action

Action

discover the Historic Environment Action Plans and how they are helping to conserve and enhance the AONB

Evidence

Evidence

explore the key evidence bases which contibute to our understanding of the history of the AONB


Method

Method

explore in more depth how the historic landscape of the AONB has been mapped, characterised and described

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