Chalk Hills and Scarps

Chalk Hills and Scarps + The Upper Chalk scarp at Barkway, Herts. (© Geo-East)

Chalk Hills and Scarps + The Middle Chalk scarp at Newfield Hill, Weston, Herts. (© Geo-East)

Chalk Hills and Scarps + Chalk landscape at Sandon, Herts, view towards Wooded Village Farmlands. (© Geo-East)

Chalk Hills and Scarps + Chalk landscape at Heydon, Cambridgeshire. (© Geo-East)

Chalk Hills and Scarps + Pasture near Chrishall Grange, Cambridgeshire. (© Geo-East)

Chalk Hills and Scarps + Barton Hills SSSI, Bedfordshire (2006) (© HCC Landscape)

Chalk Hills and Scarps + Nr Newnham, Hertfordshire (© HCC Landscape)

Chalk Hills and Scarps + Towards Old Wellbury, Hertfordshire (© HCC Landscape)

Chalk Hills and Scarps - the eastern fringe of this Landscape Type between Dalham and Moulton in west Suffolk (© Suffolk County Council)

Chalk Hills and Scarps - Looking towards Therfield, Hertfordshire from Coombe Road (© HCC Landscape)

Summary

Overall description:

Prominent chalk hills, in places forming a distinct edge, elsewhere incised by dry valleys to create a rounded rolling landform. Often well wooded with long distance views, this is a large scale landscape with an ordered pattern of fields and woodlands

Location:

Located in a narrow band running through the central part of the East of England, extending from Hertfordshire, through Bedfordshire, to south Cambridgeshire and west Suffolk.

Physical environment

Landform:

Comprises an elevated rolling chalk landscape exhibiting a rounded, rolling 'downland' topography, with localised steep-sided scarp slopes.

Natural / water features:

Free draining land with frequent dry valleys, some of which contain small seasonal watercourses that are often not visually obvious.

Vegetation and land use

Ecological character:

Much calcareous grassland found in this landscape, especially on shallow soils on steeper scarp and valley slopes (eg. Warden and Galley Hills). Lowland mixed woodland (often ancient comprising ash/beech/hazel) is also a predominant habitat type.

Primary land use :

Predominately arable land use, with permanent pasture and woodland on steeper slopes.

Tree cover:

Ancient semi-natural beech, lime and sycamore woods on summits and slopes, with more recent woodland blocks and shelterbelts around Newmarket.

Cultural pattern

Historic features:

Historic features such as tracks (eg. Icknield Way) and hill forts occur throughout this area.

Enclosure pattern:

A medium to large scale, regular field pattern defined by hedgerows, with post and wire fences on steeper slopes. Fields show a mix of rectilinear & sinuous patterns reflecting the process of planned surveyor enclosure from common fields.

Settlement pattern:

Low density settlement, rural in character comprising discrete historic villages and a scattering of large farms. General absence of settlement on steeper scarp slopes. Urban development associated with larger towns impinges on this landscape.

To be completed at a later date.

Historic development :

This is a landscape almost entirely dominated by late enclosure of former arable fields and common grazing. Some other enclosures are recorded and appear to represent early piecemeal enclosure of common fields.

Perceptions

Tranquility:

A rural landscape which can feel empty and unpopulated in places.

Views:

A simple, open landscape, affording long distance, panoramic views.