Forested Estate Sandlands

B1106 nr Elveden, Suffolk (© HCC Landscape)

Summary

Overall description:

This is a relatively simple landscape comprising extensive areas of conifer plantations, arable land and some remnant heaths, reflecting the underlying sandy soils. Scots Pine shelterbelts and 'pine lines' are defining characteristics.

Location:

Located mainly in the Brecks of Norfolk and Suffolk, in the Sandlings of south-east Suffolk and to the north of Norwich, as well as some small areas around Holt and Kings Lynn.

Physical environment

Landform:

A gently rolling and, in places, undulating topography.

Natural / water features:

The Brecks are noted for their fluctuating meres and clusters of relict pingos (pond features of periglacial origin which can be wet or dry), but otherwise this is a landscape that is freely drained with few notable water features.

Vegetation and land use

Ecological character:

Although land use is now dominated by arable farmland and forestry plantations planted on formerly extensive areas of dry grassland and heath, there is still a relatively good survival of semi-natural habitat in this LCT (> 3%).

Primary land use :

Predominantly arable land, often with very visible artificial irrigation and substantial areas of commercial forestry.

Tree cover:

A strongly wooded landscape with substantial blocks of coniferous plantation (mainly Forestry Commission plantings of Scots and Corsican pines), shelterbelt plantings and 'pine lines', the latter often originating as hedges containing contorted trees.

Cultural pattern

Historic features:

There are considerable numbers of prehistoric burial mounds throughout this landscape, formerly set in extensive areas of heathland and now reflected by present day place names.

Enclosure pattern:

A medium to large scale field pattern. Field systems are mostly rectilinear with some earlier sinuous elements, reflecting a process of planned 'surveyor' enclosure from common fields and heaths.

Settlement pattern:

Population is sparse and largely concentrated in nucleated villages that are surrounded by notable scattering of estate farmsteads. No major conurbations or urban fringe influences.

Mainly 18th and 19th century brick structures with tiled or slate roofs. In the Brecks there is also an important component of flint-walled buildings.

Historic development :

A landscape dominated late enclosure of former common arable fields and open heathlands (both common and private). Many 18th/19th century parks, often ringed by shelterbelts, were also created primarily for game shooting.

Perceptions

Tranquility:

Strong sense of relative isolation resulting from the strongly nucleated settlement pattern, the extensive areas of arable and conifer plantation and the areas of open heath.

Views:

This landscape has a 'blocky' structure, resulting from the mix of conifer plantations and open land, which creates a strong visual contrast between confinement in the forested areas and open space in the wide expanses of arable farmland.