Wooded Peat Fen

Summary

Overall description:

A poorly drained wetland landscape, often wooded/overgrown with some clearings for pasture. May form low lying small shallow basins, or be linear in form along valleys.

Location:

Occurs mainly in Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.

Physical environment

Landform:

Low-lying valley landscapes, or areas surrounded by broad and open fen.

Natural / water features:

Poor drainage results in areas of standing water and small water channels.

Vegetation and land use

Ecological character:

A strong ecological character, typified by a mixed pattern of traditional riparian fen, reed/sedge beds, and Carr (alder/willow) woodland. Survival of primary habitat is good at almost 2%.

Primary land use :

Pastoral meadows along valley floors.

Tree cover:

Dense scattering of trees, scrub and areas of alder/willow Carr.

Cultural pattern

Historic features:

Fieldscapes are a minor element of a landscape which consists mostly of riverine meadows created by wetland drainage. Field enclosure is mostly recent (18/19th C) with some earlier (16th-18th C) enclosure in the Broads area.

Enclosure pattern:

Planned pattern of field meadows, often divided by drainage ditches.

Settlement pattern:

Generally unsettled due to flooding, although occasional mill buildings often form local features. Little 20th century development, or urban influences from adjacent areas.

To be completed at a later date.

Historic development :

Surviving common grazing meadows along river valleys inland from Norwich.

Perceptions

Tranquility:

Deeply tranquil as a result of inward looking wooded character, unsettled character and areas of limited access.

Views:

Wild, overgrown and often inaccessible areas with limited outward views.