The spiritual, emotional and physical responses to the landscape, particularly its sense of timelessness, wilderness, remoteness and peacefulness are nationally significant.

As a combination of views, movement, sounds, smells, textures and tastes, the way the AONB is perceived is dramatic, yet subtle and varied.

The dark sky and natural nightscape resource of the AONB is particularly highly valued. Dark night skies can be viewed in locations away from the intrusive skyglow produced by the neighbouring large urban centres of Plymouth and Torbay or the area’s market and coastal towns.