2026 - A Vision for the Countryside

Family walking in bluebell woods. Photo: © CPRE.

The Campaign to Protect Rural England sets out an inspiring and optimistic vision for the future of the English countryside, our greatest national asset. 2026 – A Vision for the Countryside describes the countryside CPRE wants to see in 2026, the charity’s centenary year. 

The Vision – produced after wide consultation – pictures a countryside in 2026 that is used and valued by everyone, helping create a healthier, less stressed nation where people are in tune with the environment and aware of their impact on it. A beautiful and living countryside, accessible to all, has always been valuable; in tough economic times, and with people facing growing stresses in their lives, it should be priceless.

The British countryside is a great resource for the whole country, essential to our wellbeing and our sense of identity. Looking ahead to our centenary year, we want the countryside to be protected – and we want to improve it! CPRE doesn’t often admit it, but, although most of the countryside is lovely, and often breathtakingly so, parts of it are not as beautiful or useful or accessible as they should be. We want to make it better – and with your help we think we can.

Shaun Spiers
Chief Executive
Campaign to Protect Rural England

Explore our vision
> Changing attitudes
> Better planning
> New life in the countryside
> Food and farming
> Changing landscapes
> Green energy

> 2026 – A Vision for the Countryside (7.8MB PDF)
> 2026 – Living the vision: Case studies (79K  PDF)

Towards our Vision
Read about the thinking behind our Vision.
> 2026 - A Vision for the Countryside: Towards our Vision (601K PDF)