Wooded Hills and Ridges

Wooded Hills and Ridges - Bricket Wood Common, Hertfordshire (© HCC Landscape)

Wooded Hills and Ridges - View of farmland from Vineyards Road, Cuffley, Hertfordshire (© HCC Landscape)

Bencroft Wood, Hertfordshire (© HCC Rural Estates)

Ponsbourne House, Newgate Street, Hertfordshire (© HCC Landscape)

Summary

Overall description:

This is a varied and textured landscape characterised by undulating hills and steep ridges, which are cloaked in woodland, with clearings of arable farmland and pasture.

Location:

Located in the south of the East of England in Essex and Hertfordshire.

Physical environment

Landform:

Undulating land, often steeply sloping, with distinctive ridges and narrow plateau summits.

Natural / water features:

Minor streams drain the hills and feed into adjacent river valleys/low lying landscapes.

Vegetation and land use

Ecological character:

A combination of heavy, gleyed soils supports a high cover of ancient deciduous woodland. Survival of Ancient Woodland is relatively high, much of which is found in large blocks and protected by designated sites (>1%).

Primary land use :

Mixed farming (pasture and arable) between extensive areas of woodland. Some peri-urban land uses including horse grazing, golf courses and country parks.

Tree cover:

Frequent, often large ancient woodlands, in places associated with parkland.

Cultural pattern

Historic features:

Small to medium sized parklands and relic commons. Historic churches in settlements act as local landmarks.

Enclosure pattern:

Field pattern is generally irregular and sinuous. Areas that have been extensively modified through field reorganisation tend to have a more regular pattern.

Settlement pattern:

Settlement is densely dispersed, with many linear clusters along roadsides. The influence of towns (both new developments and vastly expanded historic settlements) are also a feature within this landscape.

To be completed at a later date.

Historic development :

Historically this landscape has comprised a mixture of wooded areas and fields, many of which are likely to have been created by assarting. Fieldscapes tend to be dominated by early enclosures, with significant areas of co-axial fields.

Perceptions

Tranquility:

The hilltops and lanes are relatively tranquil, however near to settlements and road infrastructure tranquillity reduces considerably.

Views:

Enclosed character due to woodland cover and mature hedgerows. Where there are breaks in the woodland cover the elevated nature of these hills and ridges affords long distance views.