Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (England Wales & N Ireland)

An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is a designated exceptional landscape whose distinctive character and natural beauty are precious enough to be safeguarded in the national interest. AONBs are protected and enhanced for nature, people, business and culture.

England, Wales and Northern Ireland has 46 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, covering 18% of the countryside, over a fifth of the English coast, and including 12,000 miles of footpaths and bridleways.

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Lee Bay - North Devon

Lee Bay lies at the foot of a wooded coombe. Borough Wood is a remnant of the ancient broadleaved woodland which once covered vast areas of the land. Many of the hedgerows and garden hedges bear the red blossoms of fuschias which give the area it’s local name of “Fuschia Valley”.
The history of Lee Bay and it's association with the sea is told in part through the cottages perched on the seafront, and the channel etched into the natural beached rocks. Though not a particularly hospitable looking haven for seafarers, it was certainly more friendly than the towering rocks on either side, and small coves like Lee were reasonably accessible for small vessels - making it ideal for smuggling as well as the arrival of coal and lime for nearby limekilns.

North Devon coastal South West Coast Path sea cottage tree Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Heritage Coast coastline seaweed seascape

From Exmoor, North Devon and Somerset