The Howardian Hills take their name from the Howard family who still own local lands, and are located between the Yorkshire Wolds, the  North York Moors National Park and the Vale of York. The Howardian Hills are a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB); one of 46 areas in England, Wales and Northern Ireland which, along with National Parks and Heritage Coasts, represent some of the most spectacular and unspoilt landscapes in the country.