The Lincolnshire Wolds celebrated the 50th anniversary of becoming an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) on April 17th 2023. Since 1973, the Lincolnshire Wolds has been a nationally important landscape, designated under the National Parks & Access to the Countryside (NPAC) Act 1949 and strengthened under the Countryside & Rights of Way (CRoW) Act 2000.
But what makes the Lincolnshire Wolds special?
Why, it’s gorgeous of course – but seriously, there are some key reasons why it’s so stunning and were mentioned specifically during its designation:-
A unique physiography (geology and topography) – The physical geography of the Lincolnshire Wolds is unusual and distinctive. The upland chalk landscape, extensively modified by glaciations, is reflected in the steep sided valleys and the drift deposits which form the basis of the diverse range of soils.
A scenic, working landscape – The high scenic quality of the Wolds depends almost entirely upon the area’s use for agriculture, with its charm derived from the seasonally changing field and cropping patterns, interspersed with pasture and small woodlands. Much of the attractiveness of the Wolds today is a result of the activities of generations of landowners and farmers.
A major archaeological resource – The Wolds is rich in prehistoric sites and historic landscape features. Most of Lincolnshire’s long barrows are in the Wolds, with a high concentration of round barrows, together with many important ancient trackways. The Wolds also has one of the largest densities of deserted and shrunken medieval villages (DMVs & SMVs) in the country.
A valued cultural landscape – Alfred, Lord Tennyson spent much of his formative years in the Wolds and is featured in ‘The Brook’ and Peter de Wint, the mid-19th century painter, captured many scenes of the working landscape. The Wolds continues to provide inspiration for artists, photographers, crafters and writers today.
50th Anniversary events
The 50th Anniversary was a chance to celebrate all that has been achieved in working to protect and enhance the Lincolnshire Wolds, it’s habitats and physical features, it’s heritage, culture, communities and management.
As part of this, the Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service, the Lincolnshire Chalk Stream Project and the Farming in Protected Landscapes ran a series of events to showcase, promote and engage with people who live, work and visit the Lincolnshire Wolds and what the AONB designation actually means. Have a browse through our gallery to view some of the photos!
Most of the events were free, with over £2,300 raised in donations for Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance, our Joint Advisory Committees chosen charity for voluntary donations, for who we set up a Just Giving Page.
Thank you to all who helped deliver 50+ events showcasing the special qualities of the Lincolnshire Wolds through walks, talks, events, tasks, horse rides, and children’s events and the educational project – in total we engaged with 5,317 people.
And here’s to the next 50 years, still an AONB but a National Landscape!
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