Landscape
The outstanding landscapes of the North York Moors are the principal features that led to the designation of the area as a National Park in 1952. The diverse and distinctive landscapes have evolved through a combination of natural processes and human intervention. The Park contains the largest area of open heather moorland in England plus other important landscapes and habitats including river valleys, wetlands, coastal cliffs and rocky shore, grassland, forest and woodland, hedgerows and traditionally managed farmland. Around a third of the Park is designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest and much of this is also designated at an international level as Special Areas of Conservation or as a Special Protection Area.
In 2003 an assessment of the character of the North York Moors landscape was carried out by consultants with input from National Park staff. It identifies the main landscape types within the National Park, their key characteristics and potential positive and negative pressures. Each landscape type is subdivided into landscape character areas with a concise description of their local features. Click on Landscape Character Assessments to find out more.
Policy on Natural Environment, Biodiversity and Geodiversity (PDF 70.66Kb)
Management of the Heritage Coast
The Dinosaur Coast - a fascinating book about the rocks, reptiles and landscapes of the Yorkshire Coast.
