The North Wessex Downs

Today I have spent at the North Wessex Downs AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) Forum, which was held at Kingsclere near to Newbury. I represent the Vale of White Horse District Council on the Council of Partners which was set up to manage and protect this important heritage site for us all to enjoy. There is a fine balance between working with farmers and organisations to respond to the pressures of the 21st century at the same time preserving its unique beauty. Once a year, we all meet to review and celebrate the enormous efforts which have gone into conserving and enhancing this area.

The North Wessex Downs AONB is the largest in southern England and stretches from Devizes to Reading, and from Swindon to Basingstoke and includes our very own Uffington White Horse.

We spent the afternoon walking to the top of Beacon Hill which is near to Watership Down (now owned by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber) from where there is a magnificent view taking in the whole Highclere estate (the house has the same architect as the House of Commons) and the rolling downs of Berkshire and Hampshire. It makes you realise how fortunate we are living amongst such a jewel in the crown of England, which has managed to retain its historical past from the Bronze and Iron age right up to the present day.

To find out more, visit their website here and if you do feel at a loose end one weekend and have the urge to explore, please visit our ancient Ridgeway which is right on our doorstep and part of this whole area of outstanding natural beauty.