ABSTRACT
Underlying the idealisation of the countryside is a strong advocatory theme. Over the last century or so there has emerged what can simply be described as a countryside movement; a growing public campaign for the preservation and conservation of the very images and amenities which have made the countryside such an attraction. It is not a single, unified movement but rather a diverse collection of individuals and organisations that have pursued the protection of the countryside from a variety of motives and perspectives. Add to this the obvious differences in British and North American approaches and it becomes clear that we are speaking of a movement in only the most general sense of the word. Nevertheless, the protection of various aspects of the countryside has become, on both sides of the Atlantic, a public issue which both mirrors and reinforces the countryside ideal.
