Rural Economy

The Wye Valley AONB is a predominantly rural area, with 58% of the land farmed and much of the remainder forested. These rural industries have crafted the landscape and their future viability is fundamental to the appearance of the Wye Valley landscape.

The AONB Management Plan identifies the need to support farmers in taking a positive role in the land management of the area and to ensure that woodland owners manage them in a sustainable way.

The strength of the rural economy makes an important contribution to the maintenance of an attractive countryside. In the AONB, tourism, public administration, finance and transport provide most of the employment and there is a growing trend for people in the area to work from home or from small business units. The AONB works to support a vibrant rural economy and encourages enterprises that benefit from and enhance the AONB's distinctive qualities.