Settled Chalk Valleys

Settled Chalk Valleys - Old Bourn Valley, Woodend, Hertfordshire (© HCC Landscape)

Summary

Overall description:

Settled, chalk valley landscapes, distinguished by their soft, rounded and sometimes steeply sloping topography. There is a good balance of woodland and farmland, with distinctive vernacular style villages and associated parklands.

Location:

Located within northwest Essex and northeast Hertfordshire.

Physical environment

Landform:

Characterised by narrow and sometimes steep sided chalk valleys, often with dissected/undulating valleys sides, which extend into the surrounding plateau areas.

Natural / water features:

Many of the valleys have only seasonal watercourses, while others are associated with a permanent water channel.

Vegetation and land use

Ecological character:

Although the base-rich Brown soils favour agricultural production, riparian wet pastures remain as a feature along the valley floor, while localised patches of calcareous grassland and ancient woodland still survive on some of the steeper slopes

Primary land use :

Predominately arable with some pasture around settlements.

Tree cover:

Small blocks of woodland occur in places, while river courses are often tree lined.

Cultural pattern

Historic features:

Parklands are a recurring feature in this landscape.

Enclosure pattern:

A varied enclosure pattern, with both small scale sinuous enclosures defined by mature ancient hedges and larger scale rectilinear fields, reflecting an ongoing process of enclosure from common fields.

Settlement pattern:

A nucleated pattern of estate farms and historic villages along valley bottoms, with clusters of roadside dwellings in the lower parts of some valleys. Larger settlements (e.g. Harlow and Bishop's Stortford) exert an urbanising influence locally.

To be completed at a later date.

Historic development :

This is a mixed landscape, where the majority of fieldscapes have been created from the enclosure of former common fields. Early enclosures are dominant with more late enclosure to the north and west. Riverine meadows occupy valley floors.

Perceptions

Tranquility:

Generally a peaceful, rural landscape

Views:

Framed views down and across valleys.