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Welcome to the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Home to some of the most enchanting landscapes of southern Britain

Explore Kent Countryside

Enjoy more of the Garden of England with our tips on how to explore Kent’s amazing public rights of way.

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EXPERIENCE

A new tourism project to develop a long-lasting experiential off-season visitor economy for Kent.

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Viticulture

How can the environmental needs and opportunities arising from the wine-growing sector be reflected in Environmental Land Management design?

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Enhancing Access Opportunities

How can Environmental Land Management design help to increase public access, health and wellbeing where it is most needed?

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Natural Flood Management

How can Environmental Land Management incorporate best practice in water management on farmland addressing both flood and drought risk?

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Climate Change and the Kent Downs

How is climate change shaping the Kent Downs and what mitigation and adaptation strategies are being employed?

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50 places to visit

50 of our favourite places across the Kent Downs AONB; from chalk cliffs to wonderful woodland, there’s something for everyone.

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The Kent Downs Trust

A new charitable organisation created to support the work of the Kent Downs AONB and its partners.

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Easy access routes

Ideal for wheelchair users, those with pushchairs or just those who like flat surfaced routes with no gates or stiles.

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The North Downs Way

An inspirational 153 mile journey offering rich heritage, panoramic views and stunning landscapes.

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Our Projects

Find our more about how we help conserve, enhance and manage this special landscape.

Walkers in woodland of Ightham mote

Respect, Protect, Enjoy

Simple steps to help you Respect, Protect and Enjoy the Kent Downs AONB.

Samphire Hoe cliffs

What's Special About the Kent Downs?

Biodiversity-rich habitats, dramatic views, historic and cultural heritage, ancient woodlands and a lot more.

What is an AONB?

An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is a designated exceptional landscape whose distinctive character and natural beauty are precious enough to be safeguarded in the national interest. On par with National Parks, AONBs are protected and enhanced for nature, people, business and culture. No other country in the world has Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty – it is a uniquely British designation that belongs to a worldwide Protected Landscape Family.

The Kent Downs AONB offers dramatic views, vibrant communities, a rich historic and cultural heritage and diverse wildlife and habitats making it a worthy landscape for national protection. It is the eighth largest AONB and, along with the High Weald AONB, covers 33% of Kent’s land area providing a wealth of opportunities for everyone to explore, enjoy and benefit from this outstanding landscape.