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    • Discover
        Discover Arnside & Silverdale AONB

        Walk / Cycle / Unwind

        This extraordinary place is famous for its amazing wildlife, stunning scenery, and superb walks. From the seasonal abundance of butterflies to the shining sands of Morecambe Bay, the area is simply awe-inspiring – full of natural spectacles and a surprise around every corner.

      • A Special Place
      • Plan Your Visit
      • Things to See & Do
      • A Taste of the Landscape
      • The Countryside Code
      • AONB Map
    • What We Do
        What We Do

        Projects / Planning / Information

        We work in partnership and aim to achieve an outstanding landscape, rich in wildlife and cultural heritage; a thriving, sustainable economy and vibrant communities; and a strong connection between people and the landscape

      • The shared long-term vision
      • Management Plan
      • Annual Reviews
      • Projects
      • Planning & Advice
      • Grants
      • The Bittern Award
    • Get Involved
        Get Involved

        Volunteer / Join / Donate

        Learn more about the landscape and heritage through walks, talks and other events. Volunteer to help at events, to carry out surveys or practical conservation tasks. Become a champion for the AONB by raising awareness in your own community and by supporting local projects.

      • Volunteering Opportunities
      • Bittern Community Interest Co.
      • The Landscape Trust
      • Education & Training
      • Local Groups and Societies
    • What’s On
    • News
        News

        Events / Projects / Sightings

        Whether you live in the AONB or are planning a visit, read on to find out what has been happening. Why not also sign up to receive our e-newsletter to ensure you are kept up to date with future events?

      • Newsletter Archive
      • Latest News
      • Sign up for our Newsletter
    • About Us
        About Us

        Passionate / Focussed / Accountable

        The AONB Partnership is the body that exists to conserve and enhance the AONB and is made up of local authorities, interest groups, national agencies and local communities, working together. The AONB Team is employed on behalf of the AONB Partnership to develop and support the implementation of the statutory AONB Management Plan.

         

      • The Staff Team
      • The Executive Committee
      • Working Together
      • The AONB Family
      • Green Policy
      • The Information Centre
    • Contact Us

Arnside Silverdale AONB

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A special place
 

What's On


Find Out More

Discover

This extraordinary place is famous for its amazing wildlife, stunning scenery, and superb walks. From the seasonal abundance of stunning butterflies to the shining sands of Morecambe Bay, the area is simply awe-inspiring - full of natural spectacles and a surprise around every corner.

  • Overview
  • A Special Place
    • An Outstanding Landscape
      • The farmed landscape
      • Spectacular Views
      • Limestone Geology
      • Grasslands
      • Woodlands
        • Wetlands & Mosses
      • A Stunning Seascape
      • Amazing Wildlife
      • A Rich Sense of History
      • Photo Gallery
    • Plan Your Visit
    • Things to See & Do
    • Kidzone
    • A Taste of the Landscape - Meet the producers
    • The Countryside Code
    • AONB Map


    Woodlands

    woodlandsTrees make a highly significant contribution to the landscape, with woodland covering a third of the AONB.

    Large wooded areas have developed over both the limestone hills and the more neutral and acidic soils of the valleys in between, while numerous field trees and small copses add height to the landscape of the open grasslands and pastures. While a considerable range of different tree and shrub species can be found in the AONB’s woods, by far the most ubiquitous is the Ash tree. With its open pinnate leaves, typically amongst the later species to unfurl, Ash allows plenty of light through its canopy to enable often spectacular displays of woodland herbs in the spring. Also of note are the many evergreen Yew trees, often forming large stands with dark, dense canopies over moss-covered limestone pavement.

    The woodlands are predominated by Ash, but it is the Yew and coppiced Hazel that makes the woodlands locally special and important. Many such woodlands grow on top of extensive limestone pavements and these woodlands have developed a unique and almost mystical character.

    Look out for

    • different stages in the coppice re-growth and see how the character of the woodland and its ground flora changes under this traditional management regime
    • stunted ‘bonsai’ trees on the limestone pavement where water drains so efficiently that drought conditions are created, leaving nutrients in short supply. As a consequence, some trees here only grow a few millimetres a year
    • Plan
      Your Visit

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    • Things To
      See & Do

      Image: Things to see and do
    • What's
      On

    • AONB
      Map

      Image: AONB map

    Sign up for our Newsletter

    If you would like to receive our e-newsletter and be kept up to date with the Partnership’s recent achievements, latest news on projects, details of upcoming events and volunteering opportunities, please follow the link below:

    SIGN UP

    Connect with us @Arnside_AONB

    Twitter
    about 1 hour ago

    Do you have an idea for a project which will conserve and enhance the AONB or connect people with the landscape?… https://t.co/bip0tiR1Bp

    about 21 hours ago

    The AONB is delighted to be part of the Meadow Makers project. https://t.co/tPx0z0TtYB

    about 21 hours ago

    We continue to be grateful for offers of sponsorship for waymarkers across the AONB having just received the most r… https://t.co/xAiI4umwSH

    Jul 1st

    Are you ready to BioBlitz? https://t.co/szWXvpG4yS

    company logo: Cumbria County Council company logo: Lancaster city council company logo: Department for environment. Food and rural affairs company logo: Lancashire county council company logo: Landscapes for life company logo: South Lakeland district council company logo: Green tourism company logo: Morecambe bay company logo: European garden award: 2nd prize company logo: RTPI awards for planning excellence finalist 2020
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    Arnside & Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

    The Old Station Building

    Arnside, Carnforth

    LA5 0HG

    P: 01524 761034
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        • Newsletter Archive
        • Latest News
        • Sign up for our Newsletter
      • About Us
        • The Staff Team
        • The Executive Committee
        • Working Together
        • The AONB Family
        • Green Policy
        • The Information Centre
      • Contact Us

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