What does this mean?

This is the modern environment we see around us today.

The decisions and labours of our ancestors over the last 10,000 years have shaped and changed the landscape so much that we owe the character of our modern landscape as much to them as we do to our contemporaries. This historical dimension explains the 'how?' and 'why?' of the present landscape.

Landscape forms an integral part of the historic environment, along with archaeological and historic sites, monuments and historic buildings. Traditionally, the conservation of the historic environment has concentrated upon the preservation of individual sites, buildings or designated areas. However, this has meant that many aspects of the historic environment are under-recognised, under-appreciated and under-considered in the making of policies and decisions.

The historic landscape of Nottinghamshire has been the subject of a recent Landscape Characterisation Project. It will be very influential in guiding future decisions concerning the management of the countryside and heritage of Nottinghamshire.

The Nottinghamshire Historic Landscape Character Map

The Nottinghamshire Historic Landscape Character Map [PDF 566KB] was created through an English Heritage sponsored project that ran from 1998 to 2000.  This document presents the map, together with essential details on its background, compilation, meaning and use, in an abridged version of the project report.

Find out more about our heritage projects here.