Landscape Character Types

Sloping pasture fields north-west of Lambscombe.

Summary description

The upland river valleys drain southwards from the high moorland core of Exmoor National Park, containing fast flowing water and slopes clothed in ancient oak woodlands.

Link to Devon Character Areas

DCA 27: Exmoor Fringe

Key characteristics

• Deeply incised valleys, with clear fast-flowing streams draining southwards from the high moorlands of Exmoor.
• Watercourses carving through rocky courses of Late Devonian geology - from Morte slates in the north, through sandstones and finally across the softer mudstones, siltstones and shales on the edges of the River Yeo.
• Upper slopes defined by rough grassland and remnant heath grazed by sheep, whilst valley bottoms include open species-rich meadows, rushy pasture and floodplain grasslands.
• Fields between woodlands originating from the medieval and post-medieval period (including distinctive regular 'Barton fields'). Higher slopes often defined by the straight-sided 19th century fields associated with Exmoor.
• Fields on Exmoor fringes bounded by square-cut beech hedges and fencing, whilst further downstream lanes and fields are enclosed by mixed species hedges with wildflower, fern and moss-rich banks.
• Dense woodland cover along valley sides - ancient oak with carpets of bluebells and primroses in spring; broadleaved beech-dominated woodlands; wet woodland along stream sides and conifer plantations.
• Traditional orchards found in some locations.
• Nature conservation interest provided by ancient and semi-natural broadleaved woodlands, areas of species-rich meadow and rush pasture, and patches of gorse, bracken, mire, acid grasslands and remnant heath on upper slopes. Many areas are County Wildlife Sites.
• Historic features including stone bridges, mills, quarries and dismantled railways as a legacy of past industry.
• Buildings are of local red sandstone with red brick detailing; cream rendered cottages (often thatched) with coloured beams also feature. The historic village of Molland is a Conservation Area.
• Sparsely settled with hamlets and small villages clustered at bridging points. Some larger settlements with linear housing spread outside their historic cores.
• A highly tranquil and rural landscape - disrupted in the valley by the main A399.
• Leisure activities and fishing associated with the reservoir on the fringes of Exmoor.
• The Tarka Trail and Macmillan Way West pass through the LCT.

A typical wooded valley north-west of Molland, with conifer plantation of the valley sides.

Valued landscape attributes

• Narrow winding lanes crossing historic stone bridges.
• Natural qualities of the rivers and valley woodlands are important for wildlife.
• Valleys form part of the landscape setting of Exmoor National Park.
• Strong sense of tranquillity, isolation and 'escapism'.
• Importance for recreation and leisure activities, and access to nature.

Hedge-bound pastoral fields in the Bray valley near Little Bray.

Management guidelines

Protect

Protect the network of species-rich hedgebanks.

Conserve tracts of wet woodland located along the sides of streams.

Manage

Manage and enhance the valleys' semi-natural woodlands (including ancient woodland) through traditional techniques including coppicing and grazing to promote natural regeneration and species diversity of ground flora.

Manage conifer plantations for sustainable timber production, recreation and wildlife, creating new green links to surrounding semi-natural habitats as part of local nature recovery networks.

Restore planted ancient woodland sites to semi-natural woodland.

Within the valleys, manage and extend species-rich meadows and floodplain grasslands through appropriate grazing and traditional land management regimes - both to enhance their wildlife value and functions in flood prevention.

Ensure appropriate management regimes of the mosaic of semi-natural habitats including rough grassland and remnant heath with patches of gorse, bracken and mire.

Plan

Develop long-term restructuring of the more prominent conifer plantations and shelterbelts to mixed productive woodland and open habitats, including re-creation of heathland and rush pasture as part of local nature recovery networks. Incorporate opportunities for access and recreation, wherever possible.

Strengthen the landscape's resilience to climate change, including through new tree planting (following Devon Local Nature Partnership's 'Right Place, Right Tree' principles), natural succession and wetland restoration along watercourses to enhance water storage capacity in times of drought, and flood prevention during episodes of high rainfall.

Restore and manage areas of relict traditional orchards and explore opportunities to create of new ones, including community orchards to promote local food production.

Replant lost hedges (particularly along slopes) to reinforce the distinct field patterns of the landscape, contribute to nature recovery networks, minimise soil erosion and reduce diffuse pollution.

LCT 3D Upland River Valleys (PDF, 900 KB)