Farming in the
North Wessex Downs
Farmland and woodland dominate the landscape of the North Wessex Downs. With 84% of the protected area classified as farmland (of which, in 2017, about 48% was under arable cultivation), agriculture is the dominant land use and the major influence on landscape character and quality.
The National Landscape Partnership is keen to work with farmers as they play such an active role in the landscape and we are actively engaging with farmers through a number of projects and programmes.
image credits: Wheat, Ann Shepley; Mowing haylage towards Ladle Hill & Watership Down, Lord Carnarvon; Straw Bales;
Looking north from Coombe Gibbet car park; Cornbunting, Andy Hay
Looking north from Coombe Gibbet car park; Cornbunting, Andy Hay