Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty | Fact Sheet

• covers 2,038sq kms (790sq miles).
• was designated in 1966, extended in area in 1990.
• designation purpose is to ensure the conservation.
and enhancement of the natural beauty of the Cotswolds
• is the largest of the 40 AONBs in England and Wales.
• the primary or enabling legislation for the designation of the
area as an AONB was the National Parks and Access to the
Countryside Act 1949.

17 local authorities and 297 parish or town councils and parish
meetings have territory in the AONB.
• in June 2000 the Government confirmed that AONBs had
the same landscape quality and status as National Parks.
• IUCN - World Conservation Union recognises the Cotswolds

AONB as a Category V protected landscape, a protected area
managed mainly for landscape protection and recreation.

Three Government offices, regional assemblies, regional
development agencies and regional tourist boards have
a territorial stake in the AONB:

• 81% of the AONB lies in the South West (1,651 sq kms).
• 7% in the West Midlands (142 sq kms).
• 12 % in the South East (245 sq kms).