Landscape Character Types

Steeply sloping grassland below Woolacombe Down, with Morte Point visible in views to the north-west.

Summary description

This Landscape Character Type (LCT) covers the steep west-facing slopes below Woolacombe Down and wrapping above the coastal cliffs around Mortehoe. It also includes the south-facing slopes that fall away below Saunton Down, overlooking Braunton Burrows and Saunton Sands. All of this LCT falls within the North Devon Coast Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), North Devon Biosphere Reserve, and is defined as part of the North Devon Heritage Coast.

Link to Devon Character Areas

DCA 43: North Devon Coastal Downs

DCA 45: North Devon High Coast

Key characteristics

• Very steep slopes dropping away from downland hill summits towards the coast. The slopes are crossed by occasional springs and streams draining from the downland above.
• Varied geology, including Morte slate, sandstones and mudstones - all laid down during the Late Devonian period.
• An area of geological significance, with a Regionally Important Geological Site designation.
• An exposed landscape with tree cover limited to occasional wind-sculpted shelterbelts and individual pine specimens associated with properties, along with patches of blackthorn scrub and small areas of stunted oak woodland in the north.
• Stone-faced Devon hedges (often using locally-distinctive Morte slate) with sparse topping vegetation - usually patches of wind-pruned gorse and scrub. Some fields are divided by post-and-wire fencing.
• Upper slopes are mainly open downland and remnant heath, whilst lower slopes are often enclosed in a regular medium-large scale pattern of post-medieval and modern fields.
• The landscape is largely used for rough grazing (mainly by sheep).
• Nature conservation interest provided by a mosaic of maritime grasslands, coastal heath, bracken and scrub (including gorse and blackthorn). There are several County Wildlife Sites in the LCT.
• Wildlife designations including numerous Sites of Special Scientific Interest and an Important Bird Area, primarily designated for their valued stretches of coastal heath and presence of breeding sea birds.
• Historic features include nationally important ancient cultivation terraces, and a scattering of former quarries which historically provided local building stone.
• Listed buildings dating from World War II include a pillbox and lookout tower.
• The majority of the landscape is unsettled owing to its steep topography, although the fringes of larger settlements nearby extend into the LCT.
• A range of vernacular building styles including the Victorian and Edwardian villa-style houses and grand hotels, and traditional buildings of whitewash and local Morte slate.
• Linear tourism-related development is concentrated along coast roads, with some detached individual properties (some of which are holiday lets).
• Some clear views towards coastal development nearby, diluting otherwise high levels of tranquillity and remoteness.
• The elevated slopes afford long-ranging and panoramic views across the coastal landscapes of the North Devon AONB.
• The South West Coast Path and Tarka Trail follow the coastal edge. Much of the LCT is Open Access Land.

Rough grassland slope running down to meet rocky foreshores south of Saunton Down.

Valued landscape attributes

• Distinctive topography including narrow, windswept slopes, dramatic headlands and minor combe valleys.
• Iconic coastal views.
• Sense of naturalness with important areas of remnant coastal heath.
• Valued area for recreation - including for circular walks and Open Access Land.
• Contrast between lively coastal activities nearby and the slopes' remote character.

View of Saunton Down (featuring the landmark Saunton Sands Hotel) from Saunton Sands, the slope rising steeply above the coast road.

Management guidelines

Protect

Conserve the nationally important semi-natural habitats including the mosaic of maritime grasslands, coastal heath, bracken and scrub (including gorse and blackthorn), which are particularly important for supporting breeding bird populations.

Protect the areas of broadleaved oak woodland in the north of the LCT.

Manage

Manage the open downland and remnant heath on the upper slopes through an appropriate grazing regime.

Manage Devon hedges for the benefit of biodiversity and their role in contributing to habitat networks.

Plan

Mitigate the effects of climate change, particularly coastal squeeze, seeking to expand and link semi-natural habitats and wildlife networks as part of local nature recovery networks.

Plan for the future effects of climate change along the coast, allowing natural processes to take place as much as possible.

Utilise the new Environmental Land Management Schemes and other initiatives (as they emerge) to manage and enhance the wildlife interest of the farmed landscape and contribute to nature recovery networks.

Replace lost hedges where appropriate to improve linkages between habitats and to help prevent run-off and erosion.

LCT 2C Steep Open Slopes (PDF, 1 MB)