The Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and Stour Valley Project works to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the area. Picturesque villages, rolling farmland, rivers, meadows, ancient woodlands and a wide variety of local wildlife make up this perfect example of a traditional English lowland river valley landscape
The Project area runs from Great Bradley near the Cambridgeshire border eastwards to the Stour Estuary on the Suffolk/Essex border.
Vital statistics
• The Dedham Vale AONB is 90 sq km. There are 21 parishes that have at least part of their area within the AONB
• The Project area is 302 sq km. There are 56 parishes with some or all of their area within the Project boundary
• It is estimated that 45,000 people live in the Project area
Managing the environment:
• The Dedham Vale AONB is one of 50 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland designated under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949
• The Project began in 1981 as the Dedham Vale Landscape Project; by 1992 it had been extended to include the Stour Valley, when the Dedham Vale and Stour Valley Project published the first management plan
• There are seven Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) in the Project area - Cattawade Marshes, Arger Fen, Cornard Mere, Glemsford Pits, Lineage Wood, Kentwell Wood, and Trundley Wood
• Several of the SSSIS are in or adjacent to RAMSAR wetland designations
Funding:
• The Project is core funded by Natural England, Suffolk County Council, Essex County Council, Babergh District Council, Braintree District Council, Colchester Borough Council, St Edmundsbury Borough Council, and Tendring District Council
Pretty as a picture:
• The Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley area has been the inspiration to many writers and artists, such as John Constable (1776-1837) and Thomas Gainsborough (1727-1788)
• "I associate my careless boyhood with all that lies on the banks of the Stour. Those scenes made me a painter" - John Constable
• "I'm sick of portraits, and wish very much to take my viol-da-gam and walk off to some sweet village, where I can paint landskips (sic) and enjoy the fag end of life in quietness and ease" – Thomas Gainsborough
Who to contact:
• Project Manager: Katherine Blake
• Operations Manager: Simon Amstutz
• Transport and Tourism Officer: Paula Booth
• Landscape and Biodiversity Officer:
• Communications Officer: Cathy Shelbourne
• Community Officer: Emma Black
• Support Officer: Jasmin Hicks
• Countryside Ranger: Jem Adams
If you'd like to take part in a guided walk, undertake some voluntary conservation work, or find out more about exploring the area, have a look at our website www.dedhamvalestourvalley.org or ring us on 01473 264263.
