The East of England countryside has been shaped by human activity to give rise to a diversity of landscapes. These range from the wide, open fens supporting intensive arable farming and horticulture, to the beaches and dunes of the coasts, the lakes...

Environmental characteristics of the region.

The region hosts some unique features that are important for wildlife including the Broads and the Brecks and the Norfolk and Suffolk coasts, which are Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. A number of distinct and locally important assets contribute to this resource including rivers, fens, woodlands and heathland with widely distributed features such as hedges and field trees and historic landscaped parks.

 

Centuries of management by farmers, combined with natural processes, have created this characteristic scenery, but the pressures on the countryside from agriculture, housing and commercial development is changing these special places. Our natural resources are also under pressure.

The region is highly attractive to visitors, and local business and employment have grown in recent years as a result of increased tourism. In addition, the region has a rich heritage, a testimony to centuries of human settlement. The extensive rights of way network, including the Norfolk Coast and Peddars Way National Trail give people the opportunity to enjoy these natural assets. Many local access initiatives give people the opportunity to enjoy the countryside and to benefit from health activity and a reduction in car dependency.