This strategy document, developed in consultation with English Heritage stakeholders and conservation staff from both the AONB and National Park Authorities, aims to define how English Heritage's historic environment research in Protected Landscapes should be progressed over the next five years. It identifies priority areas and issues, addressing which will allow English Heritage's research resources to be targeted where they are most needed and will deliver the greatest benefit. England's Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) and National Parks cover nearly a quarter of the land area of England, which, together form some of our finest protected landscapes. As well as being landscapes of great aesthetic quality, these protected areas provide a major repository for some of our most important historic sites, containing over 63,300 listed buildings, more than 10,400 nationally important ancient monuments (about half of those designated in England), in excess of 300 designated historic parks and gardens, and a third of English Heritage's properties.