home The Ranger's Blog countryside law conservation designations trees and hedgerows ask the ranger organisations biodiversity rights of way volunteering courses and training careers links FAQs about naturenet contact privacy policy copyright Naturenet recommends the  Countryside Jobs Service Pages marked with this symbol are exclusively written for Naturenet All images © copyright Cat James, Pinkeye Graphics Ltd

World Heritage Site

World Heritage Sites are designated by the World Heritage Committee, part of UNESCO. The World Heritage Committee has approved 788 listed sites (611 cultural sites, 154 natural sites and 23 mixed sites), in well over 100 states, (correct to 2004). UNESCO World Heritage Site website.

A World Heritage Site is probably the most distinguished designation that any site can receive. There are only about 24 such in the UK (depending on what you call the UK). This designation is not a designation of nature conservation value, although not surprisingly many World Heritage Sites are of immense nature conservation significance. Examples in the UK include:

• Stonehenge
• Avebury
• Durham Cathedral and Castle
• Giant's Causeway
• Fountains Abbey
• Hadrian's Wall
• Blenheim Palace
• City of Bath