• Landscape & landform

The varied landscape offers a range of experiences for recreation and learning, both inland and along the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. The National Landscape includes coastal and market towns, attractive villages and a wide range of natural and cultural heritage assets, with key sites such as Corfe Castle, Studland, Maiden Castle and Durdle Door. Away from these key ‘honey-pot’ sites, visitors and local communities can experience tranquillity in less well known but equally beautiful countryside and coastal locations.

• Wildlife

The sites managed for wildlife by the National Trust, Natural England, Dorset Wildlife Trust, RSPB, Dorset Countryside and others often provide accessible countryside for visitors through provision of car parking, links to public transport and other visitor facilities. Wildlife also provides an inspiration for people to explore and help conserve the landscape. Additionally, there are 6,160 hectares of open, accessible countryside in the National Landscape.

• Living textbook

The National Landscape offers a ‘living textbook’ for people of all ages to experience, spanning geology, wildlife, human influence and natural processes in the landscape and adjoining marine environment. The landscape is firmly embedded in many educational initiatives in Dorset e.g. a strong Forest Schools network, outdoor education centres and Kingston Maurward College. There are also established networks of adult learning for the large population of active retired such as U3A, village societies and the WI.

• Cultural legacy

The legacy of landscape inspired work by authors, poets, scientists and artists is an important resource that can galvanise an appreciation of landscape and landscape change. The National Landscape today remains a source of inspiration and has a vibrant contemporary arts community, which together with a rich cultural tradition, adds to the quality of life of residents and draws many visitors. The landscape is used effectively as a venue for cultural performance – such as the Inside Out Dorset festivals as well as many smaller scale local productions. The strong arts community in Dorset also provides a creative way to engage hard to reach audiences and communicating complex issues.

Local museums play an important role in preserving and animating significant collections of cultural importance.

Pressures

· High visitor numbers during peak holiday times often brings congestion and overcrowding to popular coastal sites. Conversely inland areas lack visitors and the associated economic benefits they bring.

· Public transport provision is very limited especially in rural areas away from the coast. Most visits to the countryside are by car, impacting significantly on the environment and local community.

· The rights of way network is fragmented in many parts of the National Landscape, reducing the opportunities for recreation and forcing walkers and riders to use unsafe country roads.

· Recreation and traffic pressure, from both residents and visitors, is impacting rural road and footpath networks, particularly along the coast.

· A significant number of people don’t visit or have access to the National Landscape due to poverty, limited access to transport, rural isolation, lack of confidence, disability and cultural barriers. There is a need to ensure inclusive access to the landscape, promoting equitable enjoyment of natural spaces and supporting health and wellbeing for all communities.

· Climate and coastal change bring an increase in rockfalls, landslips and storm damage and potential danger to people visiting the coast and engaging people in understanding the hazards is challenging.

· Ongoing budget constraints, increasing pressure on funding sources and short-term funding reduce the capacity of organisations to build long term relationships with communities and develop sustainable engagement opportunities.

· Organisational and curriculum changes in schools and budgetary constraints for schools and environmental organisations make it difficult to offer long term landscape-focussed learning with schools.

· Second homes, holiday accommodation and high cost of housing has an impact on communities.

· Environmental volunteering is limited due to time and income pressures.

· Marine and beach litter as well as road litter and fly tipping continue to be detrimental to wildlife and natural beauty.

· There is limited awareness about the National Landscape, the change of name and the work of the Partnership amongst visitors and local people.

Opportunities

· Dorset National Landscape provides outstanding health and wellbeing opportunities through active recreation and nature connectedness, which aligns well with the Our Dorset Working Better Together Strategy priorities, though resourcing at scale is required

· The Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan recognises the value of the natural environment for health and wellbeing and the Landscape Review highlights the importance of taking a pro-active approach widening opportunities to engage with the landscape to underserved communities.

· Collaborative initiatives between local communities, businesses and environmental and cultural organisations can help reduce the negative impact of tourism in popular areas and spread positive impacts inland.

· Dorset has a strong arts community, and there are good examples of artist-led approaches to improving the public realm, landscape interpretation, and creative consultation with local communities, all of which could be further developed with additional funding. High-quality cultural programming, including festivals, can help extend the season, reduce pressure at peak times and spread economic benefits throughout the year.

· Voluntary codes of conduct for activities such as fossil collecting and coasteering reduce conflict and pressure and could be extended to include other issues such as foraging and kayaking. Increased public awareness of environmental issues could make more people receptive to communicating landscape issues such as climate and coastal change at a local level.

· The successful Purbeck Goes Wild initiative, providing nature-based opportunities for school-aged young people, provides a useful collaborative model for establishing sustained landscape-focussed engagement with schools and youth organisations in other parts of Dorset.

· With support from the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme, there is a growing network of farmers and landowners who have the confidence and infrastructure to welcome schools and other groups to learn about food production and nature.

· Volunteering can bring multiple benefits to health, wellbeing and employment prospects but environmental organisations need to remodel volunteer opportunities to be accessible / meet the needs of a wide range of people.

· Promotion of inland walking & cycling routes and public transport can spread visitor economic benefits and reduce the pressure on the coast, though better maintenance and waymarking of some routes would be needed to build a reliable and user-friendly offer.

· Roadside boundary signs are a simple but impactful way to raise awareness of the Dorset National Landscape and opportunities for inland recreation could be signposted with traditional ‘fingerpost’ signs.

· Rationalisation and improved quality of landscape interpretation and safety signage, using JCT interpretation framework for coastal initiatives. There are also opportunities for artist-led approaches including temporary, site specific and permanent interpretative materials.

· Nature connectedness for people who are unable to visit the countryside could be enhanced through high quality, engaging online content.

National Trust, Natural England, South West Coast Path Association, Jurassic Coast Team, Local Highways Authority, Local Authority Ranger Service, Dorset Coast Forum, Dorset Local Access Forum, Litter Free Coast & Sea, Litter Free Dorset, Dorset Local Visitor Economy Partnership, Visit Dorset, Arts Development Company and other cultural partners, museums, galleries, educational institutions, Dorset Wildlife Trust, RSPB, Public Health Dorset and East Devon National Landscape.

Everyone can experience and access Dorset’s landscapes, enjoying the health and wellbeing benefits they provide, whether in person or remotely. Opportunities to connect with nature and the countryside are plentiful and accessible, supporting physical and mental health for all, while respecting the special qualities of the National Landscape.

Policy B1a: Expand and improve opportunities for health and wellbeing through connection with the landscape

• Support and develop activities that foster wellbeing by strengthening people’s connection to nature and the landscape.
• Develop and support measures to improve access to the coast and countryside for all, ensuring compatibility with the purposes of National Landscape designation.
• Enable remote engagement with the landscape for those unable to visit in person.

Sustainable tourism and access are widely available, supporting local communities while protecting Dorset’s natural beauty. Visitor experiences are designed to spread economic benefits, reduce pressure on sensitive sites, and encourage responsible enjoyment of the landscape.

Policy B2a: Develop and promote sustainable visitor experiences and access

• Develop and support visitor experiences that are compatible with the purposes of National Landscape designation, helping to spread economic benefits and reduce pressure on the busiest areas.
• Engage communities, cultural organisations, and tourism businesses in creating and promoting sustainable visitor experiences, including showcasing local food and drink.
• Improve connectivity and functionality of the public rights of way network, including long-distance routes.
• Promote integrated, sustainable access and public transport options within the National Landscape.
• Support and promote measures to reduce litter – including marine and beach litter – and encourage safe, considerate use of the coast and countryside.

There is wide awareness and understanding of the Dorset landscape, its special qualities, and the importance of its management. People of all ages and backgrounds are inspired and informed, with opportunities for learning and engagement that celebrate the area’s unique character.

Policy B3a: Enhance interpretation and communication about the National Landscape

• Support and develop diverse visitor experiences that showcase and celebrate the special qualities of the National Landscape, reaching wide audiences.
• Rationalise and improve interpretation to enhance the visitor experience, reduce visual clutter, and inform the public about landscape features and safety, especially along the coast.
• Promote understanding of the dynamic nature of the landscape and how it is responding to climate change and other pressures.
• Highlight the significance of the National Landscape designation and the work of the Dorset National Landscape partnership and its wider network.

Policy B3b: Support the use of the National Landscape for life-long learning

• Support initiatives for children and young people to learn about the Dorset National Landscape through outdoor, curricular, and extra-curricular activities.
• Encourage lifelong learning opportunities within the National Landscape.

Local people are actively engaged in conserving and enhancing the natural beauty, special qualities, and ecosystem benefits of the National Landscape. Community action and volunteering are at the heart of landscape stewardship, fostering a sense of ownership and pride.

Policy B4a: Support and diversify community engagement and stewardship

• Encourage and support parish and town councils, community groups, businesses, and individuals to participate in conserving and enhancing the National Landscape.
• Diversify and provide support for volunteer activities that contribute to the conservation and enhancement of the area.
• Promote sustainable living within communities to reduce local environmental impacts and increase access to environmental benefits.
• Inspire and engage people in monitoring and recording landscape change.
• Support and celebrate local distinctiveness through community events and conservation initiatives.

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