Welcome to the Dedham Vale National Landscape
Welcome to National Landscapes – the new name for the UK’s designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Dedham Vale National Landscape sits along the Suffolk-Essex border and was designated in 1970 with the purpose of conserving and enhancing the habitats and biodiversity.
National Landscapes are the places where our stories come to life. The places that make us who we are. A living patchwork where outstanding beauty isn’t only found in nature, but in communities working together to grow and change and thrive.
Our mission is to protect and regenerate these special landscapes and to make sure everyone can enjoy them. Because there’s space for so many more stories to be told. The Dedham Vale National Landscape is cared for by a Partnership, a team, and the thousands of people who live in, work in and visit it.

2026-31 Management Plan Consultation
The Public Consultation for the Dedham Vale National Landscape and Stour Valley Management Plan 2026-2031 is open for responses!
The Management Plan sets out the special characteristics and qualities of the area and formulates the local authorities’ policies for its management and for carrying out their functions in relation to plan-making and decision taking as part of development management.
We would like your views on the area as a whole, as well as your thoughts on the proposed actions within the new Management Plan. Please complete our online survey. The closing date for responses is 30th September 2025.

Free pollinator evening
Join the Wilder Together in the Stour Valley Partnership to find out more about these important animals and how you can help them thrive in your community.
Our free event is taking place at RSPB Flatford Wildlife Garden on Tuesday 29th July from 6:00-8:00pm
For more information and to book, please contact Countryside Projects Officer, Emma Black, at emma.black@suffolkandessex-nl.org.uk.

Wilder Together is a partnership project that has been created between the Suffolk and Essex Wildlife Trusts, RSPB Flatford Wildlife Garden and the National Landscape and Stour Valley team.
The partnership has been established to support parish and town councils to work with their communities to create wildlife friendly villages and towns in the Dedham Vale and Stour Valley.