Natural England

Think of the North West and you might picture a region that is predominantly urban and industrialised but the reality is very different. About four-fifths of the area is rural and one in six of its 6.9 million inhabitants live in rural areas.

The North West is a region of diverse character and its landscapes, wildlife and heritage are amongst our most precious assets. Some of the most beautiful scenery in England can be found here, with 29 per cent of the region's countryside designated for its nationally important landscapes. 

This diversity reflects the pattern of agriculture, ranging from the dairy farms of Cheshire, through arable and horticulture in south west Lancashire to beef and sheep farming in the uplands of north Lancashire and Cumbria. The agricultural industry plays a major role in shaping the region's landscapes but foot and mouth disease in 2001 had an extensive impact in the region, spreading far beyond farming. The outbreak highlighted the close relationships between agriculture, tourism and the provision of local services in rural areas. It emphasised the need to broaden the base of the region's rural economy to ensure a prosperous future.

In common with the rest of England, the rural communities of the North West are also going through a period of great change. Although people who live in the countryside often enjoy a better quality of life, others suffer exclusion and isolation and some of the things people most value about life in the countryside are being eroded. In the North West, Natural England is working with partners to bring about a rural renaissance to achieve lasting economic, environmental and social improvements to people's quality of life.