Kent Downs - Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

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Welcome to the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Explore the site for information and news about the area; why it is a landscape of national importance, what is happening in the area, events and activities, and the work of the Kent Downs AONB Unit and Joint Advisory Committee partnership.

The Kent Downs are the eastern half of the North Downs covering nearly a quarter of Kent, stretching from the White Cliffs at Dover up to the Surrey and London borders. It is a diverse and vibrant landscape with its dramatic chalk escarpments, secluded dry valleys, networks of tiny lanes and historic hedgerows, ancient woodlands, traditional orchards, locally distinctive villages, unique and precious wildlife and many sites of historic and cultural interest to explore. All these make up a landscape that is such a valuable national asset that it was nationally designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1968.


	Land Manager's Pack Do you want to plant a hedge, improve your pond or encourage more species in your grassland? For practical advice on these and other land management issues the Kent Downs Land Manager's Pack is now available as an on line resource.
	The Orchid Issue 14 is now available. You can view a copy on line at www.kentnews.co.uk, scrolling to the bottom of the page and selecting The Orchid icon. You can also request a paper copy by clicking here . Or download a copy on the AONB website by clicking here

	Planning for Farm Diversification Following the success of the Kent Downs Rural Advice Service workshops run over the last 2 years another 2 workshops will be run providing a more hands on approach, giving a wider understanding of the integrated, ‘whole farm approach’ to farm diversification proposals. Click here for further information

	Evaluation of the Kent Downs Rural Advice Service (KDRAS) Report A report identifying the achievements, lessons learned and evidence for use of the KDRAS approach

	Sounds of the Downs An exciting new music project for 14 – 17 year olds – Free Ringtones!

	Landscape Design Handbook The Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Landscape Design Handbook has now been published. For a copy or a CD version please contact the Kent Downs Unit at mail@kentdowns.org.uk

	View a map of the Kent Downs View this map to see the extent of the AONB and what is has to offer

	News and events Find out what is happening in the Kent Downs and join in some of the events and activities

	Europarc Atlantic Isles The Kent Downs is a member of the EIA