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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.
Apply now for community grant funding
Community grant funding is now available for projects in the Dedham Vale National Landscape.
The Sustainable Development Fund is now open, providing funding for various types of environmental and community projects, with up to £5,000 available for projects that will enhance and/or benefit the National Landscape.
The closing date for applications is 3rd March 2025. Projects are to be delivered between April 2025 - 12th March 2026.
New exhibition at rail stations to celebrate National Landscapes
A new exhibition is taking place throughout November and December at rail stations across Suffolk and Essex to celebrate the area’s National Landscapes, thanks to support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Community Rail Partnerships.
Rail stations along the Suffolk coast and North Essex will be exhibiting a series of posters that highlight everything that makes our landscapes so special and celebrate more than 50 years since they were designated as nationally significant areas.
The hand-drawn posters were created by Suffolk-based design agency, Steamboat Creative and can be found and viewed on platforms and in waiting rooms at Lowestoft, Wickham Market, Melton, Woodbridge, Trimley, Felixstowe, Mistley, Wrabness and Manningtree rail stations.
The exhibition is made possible thanks to support from the Essex & South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership and the East Suffolk Lines Community Rail Partnership.
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.