The Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs Area of Oustanding 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.

Exploring

Our Historic Landscape

Timeline

view the AONB timeline from Palaeolithic to the present day

Key Themes

Explore the special characteristics of the AONB, such as Medieval hunting areas and prehistoric archaeology

History of Exploration

find out about the historical figures who were pivotal in the discovery of the history and archaeology of the AONB

[More...] |

Characterising

Our Historic Landscape

Historic Character

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

Time depth

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

Routeways

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

[Character Areas] | [More...]

Conserving

Our Historic Landscape

Action

explore the AONB Historic Environment Action Plans

Evidence

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

Method

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

[Get Involved] | [More...]