The tidal River Yealm is part of the South Devon AONB. There are 35 AONBs wholly in England, of which eight form part of the south west coast.
According to the NAAONB, ‘An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is exactly what it says it is: a precious landscape whose distinctive character and natural beauty are so outstanding that it is in the nation’s interest to safeguard them ... Created by the legislation of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act of 1949, AONBs represent 18% of the Finest Countryside in England and Wales.’
