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Nature and landscapes

Chris O'Donovan

We believe that landscape is more than just ‘the view’. It’s the ever-changing relationship between people, place and nature.

Landscapes

Perhaps our county is best known in the wider world for Robin Hood and Sherwood Forest. Once an area of woodland and heathland stretching over 30 miles from Nottingham to Worksop, Sherwood Forest was established as a royal hunting preserve in the 10th Century. The link to royalty continued as parts of the forest were acquired by nobility and four main ducal estates developed – Clumber, Welbeck, Thoresby and Worksop. This unique area, known as The Dukeries is full of heritage attractions and a cluster of main country parks that offer an insight into how landscapes have developed over time.

Elsewhere, Nottinghamshire has a wide range of landscapes, from the Vale of Belvoir in the south with a tradition of dairying characterised by large hedged fields, small rural villages and wide views to rising ground; the mid Nottinghamshire farmlands characterised by small nucleated red brick villages, narrow country lanes, ancient woodlands, wooded “dumble” streams and a variable pattern of fields; to, in the north, the River Idle Lowland with its sparsely settled carrlands, levels and rolling sand lands, and village settlements.

We want as many people as possible to access these landscapes and enjoy their benefits to our wellbeing, and so we work for a positive future for all landscapes.

Tranquil places

Everyone needs a place to relax and enjoy nature.

The time we spend in peaceful green spaces has important benefits for our mood and wellbeing. That is why we want to identify the most tranquil places in our countryside, and to make sure they are protected so everyone can have somewhere to relax and connect with nature.

We shall be using this space to provide people with more information about where they might find quietude and peace. If you have any suggestions that you are willing to share, please do let us know.