Natural England - Designated Areas

Designated Areas

England's natural environment is unique and makes a major contribution to national and regional character. Our geology, soils, landscapes and their biodiversity along with our marine and coastal ecosystems are a rich inheritance.

There are a wide range of national and international statutory designations protecting England’s natural environment:

Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) protect the country's best wildlife and geological sites.

Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) give special protection under the European Union's Habitats Directive to a variety of wild animals, plants and habitats.

Special Protection Areas (SPA) give protection under the Birds Directive to rare and vulnerable birds, and for regularly occurring migratory species.

Ramsar Sites are wetlands of international importance designated under the Ramsar Convention.

National Nature Reserves (NNR) both protect some of the finest sites in England for wildlife and geology, and provide great opportunities for people to experience nature.

Local Nature Reserves (LNR) are places which have wildlife or geology of special local interest. They are living green spaces in towns, cities, villages and countryside which are important to people, and support a rich and vibrant variety of wildlife.

Marine Protected Areas (MPA) are areas of sea designated for the protection of biodiversity or natural and cultural resources. These include one Marine Nature Reserve at Lundy.

National Parks are some of the finest landscapes in England, designated to both conserve and enhance their natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage and to provide opportunities for the public to understand and enjoy these special qualities.

Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) are designated to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of their landscapes.

A complete listing of national and international statutory designations is available on the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) website.

There are also non-statutory designations for England’s natural environment, including:

Heritage Coasts are managed so that their natural beauty is conserved and, where appropriate, accessibility for visitors improved.

European Geoparks contain areas of geological importance and are used to promote the wider understanding of geology to the public.

World Heritage Sites are places of international importance for the conservation of our cultural and national heritage.

Biosphere Reserves contribute to the conservation of landscapes, ecosystems and species; foster economic and human development; and provide support for research, monitoring, education and information exchange.

Local Geological Sites are important for their scientific, educational, and historical value, as well as their visual qualities.

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