The Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is one of Britain's finest landscapes.  It is part of a family of protected areas that include national parks in Britain as well as national parks and nature reserves in many other countries throughout the world. 

It is a working landscape that has evolved over centuries of human activity. The central feature of the AONB is the long majestic dale of the Nidd, running from the wild fells around Great Whernside, south and east towards the Vale of York. The valley has been moulded by a rich land use history that embraces agriculture, mining, quarrying, textiles and water supply. The dale edge is broken by craggy gritstone outcrops such as Brimham Rocks and Guisecliffe. All of these features are echoed in the smaller dales of the Washburn, Laver, Skell and Burn.