Countryside
About this service
Wiltshire is a large, predominantly rural, inland county covering approximately 3,255 square kilometres. Its countryside is special in every respect, with internationally important heritage, treasured landscapes and an abundance of wildlife. An extensive network of rights of way, country parks, nature reserves and open spaces allow residents and visitors alike to take advantage of what the Wiltshire countryside has to offer.
Wiltshire Council's aim is to protect and conserve Wiltshire's countryside heritage and provide facilities, access and opportunities for people to enjoy it.
Country parks and open spaces
Wiltshire Council manages a series of Country Parks and Open Spaces across Wiltshire for the visiting public, for more information, please see Ranger services.
Nature reserves
A number of designated and non-designated nature reserves, which are open to the public, are located across Wiltshire. These are managed by a range of organisations including English Nature, The Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and Wiltshire Council. In the next few months details of nature reserves across the county will be available on this website.
Special landscapes
Almost half of Wiltshire Council’s administrative area is considered of national importance in terms of its landscape and is designated as Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Much of the remainder of the County is designated as locally important Special Landscape Area (SLA), for more information, please see Areas of outstanding natural beauty.
Rich biodiversity
Wiltshire is a wonderful county for wildlife - important habitats, rare and protected species and a wide diversity of animals and plants. This ‘Biodiversity’ is a consequence of the county’s varied land form, geology, soils, habitats and built structures, which in turn have been influenced by farmers, estate owners, conservationists, developers and others. The importance of Wiltshire’s biodiversity is recognised in that numerous areas of the county are covered by international and national nature conservation designations.
Wiltshire Council works to conserve and enhance Wiltshire’s biodiversity through its implementation of the Wiltshire Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP), through its Biodiversity improvement grant scheme, by making financial contributions and dedicating staff time to a wide range of conservation and environmental organisations and projects in the County, and through its core work. For more information, please see Biodiversity.
Countryside Access and Recreation
A wide range of recreational and access opportunities are available in Wiltshire’s countryside, including walking, cycling, fishing, horse riding and boating, for more information, please see Access to the countryside.
Environmental Education
The Wiltshire countryside provides a wealth of opportunities for formal and informal environmental education for all ages, covering wildlife, habitats, heritage and archaeology. The Council manages a number of countryside sites that can be used as an environmental education resource. A range of other organisations in Wiltshire offer educational support and information to schools, colleges, home education groups and individuals, including the provision of Teacher Packs. For more information, please see Environment education.
Countryside related terminology
There is a bewildering amount of terminology and acronyms relating to countryside topics that are often confusing. See the Countryside glossary for a description of the most commonly used acronyms. Within the next few months a list of definitions will also be provided for commonly used terms.
Contact Details
Email: StrategicLandscape@wiltshire.gov.uk
Telephone: 01225 713314
Fax: 01225 713437
Postal Address:
Strategic Landscape Team
Economic Development Planning
and Housing
Wiltshire Council
County Hall
Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14
8JD
Last updated: 3 April 2009