Historic Landscape Characterisation is the study of the whole landscape. It is interested in the locally distinctive and commonplace, as well as the special and unique.

The European Landscape Convention defines landscape as:

"an area, as perceived by people, whose character is the result of the action and interaction of natural and/or human factors."

The primary purpose of the Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs AONB is to conserve and enhance natural beauty. The AONB cannot achieve this purpose without a fuller understanding of the landscapes cultural and historic evolution.

Historic Landscape Characterisation will help provide this fuller understanding.