It comprises 12 separate areas, designated under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 for special landscape protection.

[2] Section 85 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 places a duty on all relevant authorities when discharging any function affecting land within an AONB to have regard to the purpose of conserving and enhancing natural beauty.

[3] The list of designated areas is:[4] There are separate AONBs covering the Tamar Valley (which is partly in Cornwall and partly in Devon—the east bank of the river Tamar forms the boundary between Cornwall/Kernow and Devon), and the Isles of Scilly, which is administered for most purposes separately to Cornwall.

The Partnership also has an advisory role, providing advice to Cornwall Council and other organisations on matters such as planning and project development.

The Partnership is supported by a team of officers—the Cornwall AONB Unit who exist to administer the Partnership, undertake delivery, access resources, influence, enable and support Partner organisations in the delivery of the Management Plan.