Wooded Plateau Claylands

with woodland, pollard and isolated farmstead (© Suffolk County Council)

open farmland with hedges woodland with an isolated church in N Suffolk (© Suffolk County Council)

Summary

Overall description:

An ancient wooded landscape of arable farms, associated with heavy clay soils on gently rolling plateaux, which are lightly dissected by minor river valleys.

Location:

Occurs in Norfolk, from Attleborough northwards to Fakenham and eastwards as far as Loddon; in Suffolk on the clay plateau edge in an arc from Stowmarket to Diss and from Lowestoft south to Hadleigh; and in two smaller areas in northeast Essex.

Physical environment

Landform:

A gently rolling landform associated mainly with glacial till plateaux, but also occurring on London clay in Essex. This landscape is often dissected by small river valleys around the edge of the plateau, creating more complex slopes.

Natural / water features:

Areas of poor drainage/waterlogged soils where ponds are a common feature.

Vegetation and land use

Ecological character:

A scattering of small to medium-sized ancient woodlands, connected by an irregular network of similarly ancient hedgerows. A relatively high proportion of this landscape is primary habitat (> 4%), but little is specifically protected (less than 1%).

Primary land use :

Arable land use.

Tree cover:

Relic patches of ancient semi-natural woodland and scattered hedgerow trees (oak, ash and field maple).

Cultural pattern

Historic features:

Villages often associated with medieval greens, in places called tyes. Parklands are prominent in some parts such as East Suffolk (eg Helmingham). There are also a large number of medieval moats throughout this landscape.

Enclosure pattern:

Varied field pattern including a mixture of irregular and sinuous boundaries, the latter often defined by bushy hedgerows. 20th-century boundary removal and reorganisation has led to some regularisation of field shapes.

Settlement pattern:

Rural settlement is fairly dense, comprising a clustered pattern of villages, hamlets and large outlying farms, connected by a network of winding, often hedged lanes and paths. Little to no 20th century development.

Strong vernacular tradition of timber-framed buildings, tiled roofs and some thatch. Also some 19th and 20th century brick buildings, especially in the linear hamlets and on the enclosed greens.

Historic development :

This is a landscape dominated by enclosures of medieval and earlier origin, including some areas with co-axial patterns. Late enclosures are a minor element. Fieldscapes have seen significant modification in the 20th century.

Perceptions

Tranquility:

The rural nature of much of this landscape and high incidence of ancient woodland, mean that it has a high degree of tranquillity, despite a relatively dense rural settlement.

Views:

Despite being a reasonably well-wooded landscape the rolling plateau landform allows frequent longer views. The comprehensive network of winding lanes and tall hedges, however, often provide a more intimate feeling.