Landscape Character Types
LCT 4A: Estuaries
View north-west from the south banks of the River Taw towards Chivenor Royal Marine Barracks, with Braunton Down behind.
Summary description
This Landscape Character Type (LCT) covers the broad Taw-Torridge Estuary and its surrounding mudflats and marshes. All but the estuary mouth falls within North Devon district. A small part of the estuary is within the core of the North Devon Biosphere Reserve, with the remainder falling within the buffer zone.
Link to Devon Character Areas
Key characteristics
- Broad, sweeping estuary of the Taw/Torridge rivers, with expansive mudflats and sandbanks inundated by water from the sea at high tide.
- Backed by gradually rising land, the estuary reaching its coastal extent between the sand dunes of Braunton and Northam Burrows.
- Estuary immediately fringed by areas of saltmarsh, sand spits, lagoons and reclaimed farmland.
- Banks of estuary defined by grazing marsh, arable fields and rough grassland divided by brackish ditches, fencing and thorny hedges.
- Farmland drained and enclosed in post-medieval and recent times, comprising regular fields and unenclosed marshes. Streams and water-filled ditches drain into the estuary.
- Tree cover limited to overgrown hedges and areas of scrub within fringing farmland, with small blocks of broadleaved and ancient woodlands overlooking the tidal reaches of the Taw and Torridge rivers.
- Nationally important for biodiversity - supporting major populations of migratory and overwintering wading birds, fish including sea trout and salmon, rich saltmarshes, and areas of brackish water fringed by willow.
- Vast majority of the estuary designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and part of a Special Area of Conservation extends into the landscape. Several County Wildlife Sites are found across the estuary.
- A small part of the estuary is within the core of the North Devon Biosphere Reserve, with the remainder being within the buffer zone.
- Strong maritime history associated with the textile trade, reflected in Grade I listed Long Bridges, as well as historic quays dotted along the shore.
- An unsettled landscape, although strongly influenced by housing, industrial and commercial development associated with settlements on the estuary banks.
- Sewage works located on the north bank of the estuary, with views of nearby development also affecting overarching perceptions of tranquillity and remoteness associated with the estuary.
- Recreational value with a small area of Registered Common Land, and waymarked routes including The Tarka Trail and South West Coast Path. National Cycle Network route 27 roughly follows estuary edge.
- Strong sensory characteristics: colour and texture of habitats; smell of mudflats and the sea; birdsong and calls; sight of sunlight reflecting off water.
The River Caen (a tributary of the River Taw), with cattle-grazed marshland along its banks.
Valued landscape attributes
- The strong sense of openness, with expansive views across the estuary.
- Unique flora and fauna, particularly important for overwintering birds.
- Opportunities for waterfront access and recreation (including cycle paths).
- Evidence of historic quays indicates the area's important maritime heritage.
View south-east across the River Taw from Crow Point (Braunton) towards Instow.
Management guidelines
Protect
Protect the habitats on the fringes of the estuary including overgrown hedges, scrub and areas of brackish water fringed by willow.
Conserve the role of the estuary in supporting major populations of migratory and overwintering wading birds, fish including sea trout and salmon.
Manage
Manage the estuary's internationally important habitats including saltmarshes, lagoons and mudflats, using traditional techniques including appropriate levels of grazing, in accordance with North Devon Biosphere Reserve guidelines.
Manage agricultural land fringing the estuary using traditional farming and land management practices, encouraging farmers and commoners to use the pastures and marshes for appropriate levels of grazing as part of their farming systems.
Manage fertiliser run-off from adjacent areas to reduce contamination of the estuary and nature conservation sites.
Plan
Mitigate the impacts of climate change (particularly the effects of sea level rise and coastal erosion), by allowing natural process to take place where possible, whilst ensuring that local communities are involved in making decisions about their future landscape.
Expand estuarine and wetland habitats as part of a nature recovery network approach to build resilience to the impacts of future climate change.
Sensitively incorporate flood defenses within the landscape, favouring 'soft engineering' solutions, including natural flood management techniques where appropriate.
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