Landscape Character Types
LCT 4H: Cliffs
Cliffs at Hartland Quay, with the outline of Lundy on the horizon
Summary description
The Cliffs Landscape Character Type (LCT) covers the entire length of the coast, broken only by the Taw-Torridge Estuary and the west-facing beaches and sand dunes backing Bideford/ Barnstaple Bay. All of the cliffs fall within the North Devon Coast Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and most is also defined as Heritage Coast. Cornborough Cliff (Torridge) is within the North Devon Biosphere Reserve buffer zone.
Link to Devon Character Areas
DCA 43 North Devon Coastal Downs
DCA 45: North Devon High Coast
Key characteristics
- A largely undeveloped coastline of steep rocky or vegetated cliffs of varying heights, often punctuated by dramatic features such as waterfalls, rocky coves and features such as stacks and sea arches.
- Distinctive and internationally renowned exposed rock stratifications often clearly visible (with thick bands of contorted Morte slate along the north coast and sandstone further south).
- Extensive and dramatic views, reaching out to sea (often to Lundy), along the coastline and inland over ridgelines.
- Predominantly treeless, although several north-facing stretches along the Clovelly coast are characterised by significant mature (often ancient) oak-dominated woodlands clinging to the cliff tops.
- Occasional minor combes draining to the sea often lined by ancient sessile oak woodland of high nature conservation interest. These provide shelter and contrast to the open cliffs.
- Rough grazing land on sloping cliff tops, with field boundaries of post-and-wire fencing or stone-faced hedgebanks.
- Rich in semi-natural habitats, including maritime grassland, heath and scrub of national and international importance along the cliff tops and sloping faces. The cliffs support important breeding colonies of seabirds - those in North Devon are within the Exmoor Coasts and Heaths Important Bird Area.
- Nationally designated Iron Age hillforts in commanding cliff-top positions. Remnants of the area's industrial past include limekilns and quarries along the shore. Lighthouses on prominent headlands evoke the area's strong maritime heritage.
- Settlement mainly limited to small fishing villages (some with Conservation Areas) and clusters of cottages at the mouths of combes, with traditional whitewash or exposed stone vernacular.
- Tourism-related development along the coastline is encroaching into the LCT in places.
- Overall, a 'wild' and remote landscape with high levels of tranquillity. Access is largely restricted to the South West Coast Path and tracts of Open Access Land on cliff tops.
Cliffs at Hele Bay, north-east of Ilfracombe.
Valued landscape attributes
- Wild, exposed and dramatic landscape with expansive coastal views.
- Unique scenery, including spectacular geological formations and rugged coastal landforms.
- Important wildlife habitats and archaeological features (including cliff castles, quays, lime kilns and lighthouses).
- Access and enjoyment of the cliff top via the South West Coast Path.
Small settlement at the base of cliffs at Lee Bay.
Management guidelines
Protect
Protect semi-natural habitats, including maritime grassland, heath and scrub of national and international importance (particularly for breeding colonies of seabird) along the cliff tops and sloping faces.
Conserve the mature (often ancient) oak-dominated woodlands clinging to the cliff tops along the Clovelly coast.
Manage
Manage the ancient sessile oak woodland of high nature conservation interest found in the small combes incised into the cliffs.
Manage the rough grassland on the cliff tops through appropriate levels of grazing.
Plan
Plan for the impacts of a changing climate on the coastline, allowing natural processes to take place whilst considering how habitats, heritage/ geomorphological assets and the South West Coast Path can be expanded or relocated to account for coastal squeeze.
Restore and develop interconnected nature recovery networks of coastal heath and cliff-top grassland (including Culm grassland) which extend inland, creating buffer zones between cliff communities and improved agricultural land.
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