Nidderdale National Landscape is rich and varied, from the tranquil expanses of water, open heather moorlands and rolling pastures, to stone walls, farm buildings and villages.

In 2004 Harrogate Borough Council undertook a detailed assessment of this landscape. It identified 40 distinct areas in Nidderdale National Landscape.

Known as a Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) this is a standard system for identifying, describing, classifying and mapping landscapes. It helps explain what makes landscapes different from each other.

This assessment is designed to provide guidance for local planning authorities, other organisations and information for residents to ensure that landscape character is respected as the countryside changes in response to new challenges.

The documents contain a wealth of natural and historic information (written and visual) which local people, natural history societies and potential visitors may all find interesting.