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Home , Chilsworthy, Churchtown Farm, Gunnislake, Kit Hill, Landulph, Morwellham Quay

Annex 1b: TAMAR VALLEY AONB LANDSCAPE CHARACTER AREAS AND SPECIAL FEATURES Version 2: January 2019

Character Area Description Distinctive characteristics Special features – Lower Tamar Intertidal zone and estuary land margins of the • Open, unenclosed and unsettled • Tamar Estuary Marine Conservation Zone and Tavy Valleys lower reaches of the Tamar and Tavy rivers, land comprising mudflats, saltmarsh, (MCZ) confined by the low landform and vegetation reedbeds, coastal floodplain, • Sound and Estuaries Special of the adjoining Middle Tamar Valley. grazing marsh and fens Area of Conservation (SAC), Tamar • Pastoral farmland and rough grazing Estuaries Complex Special Protection Area above high tide line, with little (SPA) arable • Wetland habitats important bird wintering sites • Traditional orchards, generally focussed around the settlement areas • Historically only accessible from the river, legacy of this in number of historic quays including at Kingsmill Lake, Moditonham Quay • Areas of historic market gardening activity at , and at St Ann’s, north of village, with glasshouses still extant between Landulph Cross and Cargreen • Historic daffodil varieties found on hedgebanks and in woodland in Spring • Potential early monastic site at Landulph • Farmsteads (such as Haye) potentially deserted settlements • Medieval enclosures • Landmark church towers at Landulph and Cargreen • Views south the (I.K. Brunel, 1859) • Riverside settlement with medieval origins

Annex 1b: TAMAR VALLEY AONB LANDSCAPE CHARACTER AREAS AND SPECIAL FEATURES 1 Version 2: January 2019 ꢀ at Cargreen • Ever-changing views with tidal cycle. Cornwall – Middle Gorge-like river valley with views of the water, • Significant views up and down the • Tamar Estuary Marine Conservation Zone Tamar Valley gently undulating farmland, and extensive from several viewpoints (MCZ) woodland. • Meandering and looping river valley, • Part of and adjacent to Plymouth Sound narrow in parts, with steep sides and Estuaries Special Area of Conservation Short tributary valleys, barely visible from • Floodplains on river bends with (SAC) higher ground, topography further north more improved farmland behind earth • Mineralogical sites on spoil tips, gentle and open. dykes, outer fringes of coastal particularly around Great Consols saltmarsh and reedbeds • Riverside settlements with medieval origins • Mixed broadleaved and coniferous at , , and woodland on steep valley sides, with Luckett, all of which are intrinsically linked improved grassland and pasture on to the river trade and historic crossing lower lying areas, and pockets of points, and developed in response to arable or horticultural land on higher large-scale mining in the area valley edge • Geology important for mining heritage, • Watermeadows, reedbeds and concentration of tin, and arsenic grazing marsh on the unsettled lodes valley floor • Extensive areas of former and current • Historic quays, riverside settlements, (though reducing) market gardening, for and evidence at 19th century industry example at Bohetherick and St Dominick, • Core of Tamar Valley and legacy through glasshouses and packing WHS area with engine houses, sheds chimneys and spoil heaps prominent • Historic daffodil varieties found on in the landscape hedgebanks and in woodland in Spring • Winding narrow sunken lanes and • Important crossing points, viaduct at packhorse paths to industrial sites Calstock and many historic bridges including New Bridge at Gunnislake and Horsebridge • provides elevated views from viaduct across the River Tamar • Significance of miners smallholdings around Gunnislake important element of WHS • Woodlands on valley sides relate to changing use of landscape – including

Annex 1b: TAMAR VALLEY AONB LANDSCAPE CHARACTER AREAS AND SPECIAL FEATURES 2 Version 2: January 2019 ꢀ timber, charcoal burning and replanting of market gardening with coniferous trees – SSSI at Greenscombe Wood • Large estates at and Pentillie • Medieval farm settlements (e.g. Hampt near Luckett • Mix of field patterns, post medieval and remnant strip patterns • Prehistoric hillfort at Carmartha at the north of the area • C13 Kerrybullock deer park near • Extensive mining remains scattered around Calstock, Gunnislake and Luckett • Limekilns and other evidence of riverside industry, particularly between Cotehele and Calstock on the Cornwall bank of the Tamar • Within Cornwall and Mining Heritage WHS and includes a key site at Cotehele East Cornwall and Domesticated and enclosed landscape of the • Undulating plateau incised by short • Winding narrow lanes are characteristic Tamar Moorland Fringe western slopes and plateau of the Middle river valleys, tributaries of the Tamar within the AONB boundary, in contrast to Tamar Valley. • Open, medium-scale mixed major roads such as the A390 and A388 farmland of predominantly improved outside of the boundary The plateau mostly retains its historic hedged pasture • Medieval field patterns contrasting with landscape, but is exposed in some areas. • Steep wooded sides of mixed patches of rough ground and recently woodland on ancient woodland sites enclosed land Woodland is restricted to the steepest valley • Different land-uses linked by Cornish • A well-preserved medieval landscape sides and the wetter valley bottom. hedges mainly defining medieval focused around medieval churchtowns enclosure which retains its historic • Good examples of vernacular architecture pattern, with patches of rough using local materials including shillet, slate grassland and areas of more recently and granite enclosed land, especially on higher • Excellent example of how the Tamar Valley ground has accommodated landscape change, Annex 1b: TAMAR VALLEY AONB LANDSCAPE CHARACTER AREAS AND SPECIAL FEATURES 3 Version 2: January 2019 ꢀ • Narrow winding sunken lanes and how those changes are still evident in overhung with tall, tree-lined hedges the landscape linking dispersed farms and hamlets • Remnants of market gardening around St • Mix of historic settlements with Dominick and Calstock, including characteristic vernacular architecture glasshouse complexes and use of local materials, some • Historic daffodil varieties found on modern infill hedgebanks and in woodland in Spring • The intimacy and tranquillity of rural • Estate landscape at Cotehele settlements and river landscapes • Substantial mining remains around contrasts with the major towns and Gunnislake roads just outside of the AONB • Tamar Valley Discovery Trail • Strong visual influences of Plymouth • Important network of species-rich hedges in views to the south • Within Cornwall and West Devon Mining Heritage WHS A prevailing landmark enhanced by its • Prominent ridge and summit rising • Kit Hill is a key site within the Cornwall and chimney, visible from Moor and a above the river valley West Devon Mining Heritage WHS variety of points within the Tamar Valley. • Open lowland heath to the summit • Streamworking and quarrying remains, and slopes, contrasts with pastoral including an incline plane which carried Unsettled wildland covered in heathland scrub farmland with planned patterns stone to the East Cornwall Railway (now and bracken with strong archaeological value. edged with Cornish hedges to the dismantled, but once connected with the east existing Tamar Valley line from Gunnislake • Important archaeological landscape to Plymouth) with evidence for activity and mining • Significant archaeology, much of which is since prehistory, encapsulated as undesignated, including barrows and a part of the Tamar Valley and relict prehistoric field system on the Tavistock WHS eastern slope • The summit offers panoramic views • Site of the Battle of across the Devon and Cornwall 838AD, with C18 folly at the summit of Kit wider landscape and out towards Hill as a commemoration , Plymouth and Bodmin • Important deposits relating to mining Moor heritage • Former industrial areas support • Extensive mining and industrial activity important flora and fauna remains • Some areas on lower ridge spoiled • Kit Hill chimney (c.1858) an important by inappropriate development landmark feature Annex 1b: TAMAR VALLEY AONB LANDSCAPE CHARACTER AREAS AND SPECIAL FEATURES 4 Version 2: January 2019 ꢀ • Neutral grassland SSSI at St Ann’s Chapel (Sylvia’s ) • Kit Hill Country Park • Working granite quarry at Hingston Down • Field pattern of recently-enclosed fields • Post medieval farmsteads associated with recently enclosed land and linear roadside settlements at and St Ann’s Chapel Estuarine land encompassing the banks of the • Mixed farmland, pasture, arable, • Tamar Estuary Marine Conservation Zone lower Tamar estuary. fruit and flower growing (MCZ) • Extensive, complex river system of • Part of and adjacent to Plymouth Sound The land combines large-scale farmland and winding inlets, intertidal zones and and Estuaries Special Area of Conservation managed parkland. mudflats, large areas of coastal (SAC), and Tamar Estuaries Complex saltmarsh, wetlands and a saline Special Protection Area (SPA), Lynher Wooded tributary valleys with farmland in the lagoon Estuary SSSI valley floor • Wooded parkland and designed • Estate land and designated landscapes at landscapes and estate land Antony and Port Elliot, for both of which including deer parks Humphrey Repton advised on landscaping • Upper river valleys narrow and steep • Important bird habitat sided with a mix of farmland and • Significant tidal estuary with saltmarsh and woodland mudflats around the Lynher • , Plymouth and are • Important network of hedges and mature visually prominent trees, linking semi-natural habitats • Narrow enclosing winding lanes • Mixed woodland, including ancient lined by Cornish hedges topped woodland in valleys with mature trees • Historic quays and riverside industry, for • Main settlement at St Germans example at Wacker Quay, which is also an significant through its historic and important river access point continuing development • Amenity value of river access • Military archaeology, including a decoy airfield at Erth Hill • Medieval enclosed land with sinuous boundaries • Clustered villages, small farms and hamlets Annex 1b: TAMAR VALLEY AONB LANDSCAPE CHARACTER AREAS AND SPECIAL FEATURES 5 Version 2: January 2019 ꢀ • Many small farms may be remnants of medieval settlements, such as Stoketon Manor • Many settlements have grown up around the heads of creeks and the phases of development are visible • Obvious vernacular style using local stone with decorative brick detailing and dressings • Steep winding lanes lined with mature trees and dense hedges • Important historic structures and sites including St Germans Church and remains of the priory, Port Eliot House and Antony House, Ince Castle, Scraesdon Fort, Burrell House, Notter Viaduct and St Germans Viaduct • Nature reserve at Churchtown Farm providing extensive public access • Wrecks in the estuary including the George Murray at Forder Lake • Mount Edgcumbe estate important in views to the south west SE Cornwall Plateau An extensive sloping plateau of working • Open, gently rolling plateau • Important network of hedges linking semi- pastoral landscape intersected by river valleys. landscape patterned with Cornish natural habitats hedges • Ancient pastoral farmland with scattered trees Vegetation is limited to Cornish hedges • Mixed, improved pasture with some • Sinuous boundaries to fields, with around isolated farmsteads and dispersed arable medieval enclosed land and Cornish settlement, with little woodland. • Gently sloping and undulating hedges stream valleys, small patches of • The hamlet of St Erney contains several woodland in low-lying areas listed buildings, including the C13 church Upper Tamar Gently rolling hills and open valley landscape • Gently rolling, inland hills and • Earthwork at Castlepark Hill defined by the upper reaches of the River sheltered valley landscape • Important network of hedges linking semi- Tamar and its tributaries. • Distinctive floodplains are distinctive natural habitats with their strong tree cover, open- • Mixed woodland along river valleys, Annex 1b: TAMAR VALLEY AONB LANDSCAPE CHARACTER AREAS AND SPECIAL FEATURES 6 Version 2: January 2019 ꢀ A settled, inland landscape with medium-sized grown mature oaks and valley floor including ancient woodland, a significant fields of improved pasture, bounded by pasture component of the character of this area Cornish hedges and mature trees. • Prominent broadleaved, mixed or • Stone bridges such as C15 Greystone coniferous woodland to the east on Bridge distinctive landscape feature the valley sides • Mature, stable and unchanged landscape • Small areas of Culm grassland along river valleys • Medium-sized fields of improved grassland with some arable land • Stone bridges are significant landscape features • Slate gives a dark appearance to river bed Devon – Lower Tamar Intertidal zone and estuary land margins of the • Open, unenclosed landscape • Tamar Estuary Marine Conservation Zone and Tavy Valleys lower reaches of the Tamar and Tavy rivers. comprising mudflats, saltmarsh, (MCZ) reedbeds, coastal floodplain, • Part of and adjacent to Plymouth Sound An open flat area of mudflats enclosed by low grazing marsh and unenclosed fens and Estuaries Special Area of Conservation landform and vegetation. • Small-scale pastoral farmland and (SAC), and Tamar Estuaries Complex rough grazing above floodplain with Special Protection Area (SPA), Tamar-Tavy little arable Estuary SSSI • Sparse highway network • Juxtaposition of estuarine and built • Scatter of small, isolated farmsteads elements • Active and disused historic quays • Internationally important bird habitat and remains of historic riverside supporting rare estuarine species such as industrial activity and navigation avocet • Extensive river views across a • County Geological site on the east bank of beautiful, unspoiled and remote the Tamar associated with mining history areas • Local Nature Reserve at Warleigh Wood • Low-lying areas prone to sea • Tamar Valley Discovery Trail flooding in storm conditions • Historic daffodil varieties growing in • Areas of intense water based hedgebanks and woodlands make a recreation and amenity use in the significant impact on the landscape in southerly part Spring • Tamar Valley Line provides elevated views from bridges across the mouth of the Tavy Annex 1b: TAMAR VALLEY AONB LANDSCAPE CHARACTER AREAS AND SPECIAL FEATURES 7 Version 2: January 2019 ꢀ and Ernesettle Creek • Blocks of valley-side oak and birch woodland on southern bank of the Tavy, with an important line of hedgerow trees, including fruit trees, a legacy of the former soft fruit industry • Post-medieval reclaimed land at Warleigh Marsh • Stone quays and other evidence of industry at Weir Quay and Bere Ferrers • Sparse settlement with Weir Quay and Bere Ferrers on the Devon bank the two main settlements • Relatively unspoiled waterfronts at Weir Quay and Bere Ferrers • Long spectacular watery views to the south towards the Royal Albert Bridge and Tamar Suspension Bridge • Historic church at Bere Ferrers and country houses at Maristow and Warleigh with extensive grounds • Designed landscape features associated with Maristow House • Remains of tide mill at Blaxton Quay • Riverside access and infrastructure at Lopwell Dam • Patterns of light and water, sounds and smells at the waterside Devon – Middle Tamar Sinuous and meandering middle reaches of • Meandering and looping river valley, • Tamar Estuary Marine Conservation Zone Valley the Tamar. narrow in parts, with steep sides (MCZ) • Significant views up and down the • Part of and adjacent to Plymouth Sound A gorge-like river valley with views of the River Tamar from several viewpoints and Estuaries Special Area of Conservation water, gently undulating farmland, and • Historic quays, riverside settlements (SAC), and Tamar Estuaries Complex extensive woodland. and evidence of 19th century Special Protection Area (SPA), Tamar-Tavy industry Estuary SSSI Annex 1b: TAMAR VALLEY AONB LANDSCAPE CHARACTER AREAS AND SPECIAL FEATURES 8 Version 2: January 2019 ꢀ Intimate, short tributary valleys barely visible • Floodplains on river bends with • Lockridge Mine SSSI, from higher ground. improved farmland behind earth SSSI dykes, outer fringe of coastal • Tidal qualities of the southern stretch that Topography further north more gentle and saltmarsh and reedbeds flows in a winding course of incised open. • Extensive ancient and mixed meanders broadleaved and coniferous • Within the WHS, Morwellham important woodland on steep valley sides with with links to Tavistock and the Dukes of improved grassland and pasture on Bedford as are the former areas of Bedford lower lying areas and pockets of estate to the north of the area arable or horticultural land on the • Steep mixed-wooded valley sides with higher valley edge features such as Chimney Rock where the • Watermeadows, reedbeds and granite has been exposed grazing marsh on the unsettled • Tradition of orchards and market valley floor gardening evident particularly on the Bere • Core of Tamar Valley and Tavistock Peninsula and around Sydenham Damerel WHS area with engine houses, • The landscape at Endsleigh is associated chimneys and spoil heaps prominent with Humphrey Repton, the house itself in the landscape was designed by Wyattville in the early C19 • Winding narrow sunken lanes and • County Geological Site on the east bank of packhorse paths to industrial sites the Tamar associated with historic mining • Internationally important bird habitat supporting rare estuarine species such as avocet • Variety of field boundaries, but many contain remnants of the market gardening industry (such as daffodils) and soft fruit trees especially on the Bere Peninsula • Former packing sheds in the landscape represent the legacy of the market gardening industry • Numerous features associated with mining and industry particularly the complexes at Devon Great Consols and Gawton, chimneys associated with those sites, as they emerge from woodlands, are a

Annex 1b: TAMAR VALLEY AONB LANDSCAPE CHARACTER AREAS AND SPECIAL FEATURES 9 Version 2: January 2019 ꢀ particular feature • Significant river crossings and medieval bridges at Greystone, Horsebridge and Newbridge • County Wildlife sites on the valley side, floor and wetlands • Settlement generally focussed on the river and the influence of its historic trade • Houses show a combination of stone, slate-hanging and pastel-coloured render or paint • , nationally significant heritage site and a tourist attraction • Hillfort earthworks at Dunterue Wood and Castle Head near Dunterton • Conservation Areas at Bere Ferrers, and Weir Quay • Strong artistic connections – J.M.W Turner painting ‘Crossing the Brook’ (1815) • Tamar Valley Line provides access from Plymouth along a scenic route including the crossing the landmark viaduct at Calstock • Tamar Valley Discovery Trail and Tamar Trails • Enclosed and sunken paths and lanes • Bere Peninsula has a particular feeling of remoteness and an unchanged landscape as a result of restricted road communications • Tranquillity and dark skies in the upper reaches away from Plymouth Middle Tavy Valley Open rolling and sloping pastoral uplands • Open rolling uplands contrast with • Grenofen Wood SSSI and West Down SSSI surrounding the mixed wooded middle steep wooded valley sides and again • County Wildlife Sites in woodland and section of the valley. with moorland character to the east unimproved grassland Annex 1b: TAMAR VALLEY AONB LANDSCAPE CHARACTER AREAS AND SPECIAL FEATURES 10 Version 2: January 2019 ꢀ • Meandering flat and confined river • Local Nature Reserve at Lopwell Down Moorland-edge character to the east at the valley near Tavistock, screened by • Medium-sized semi-regular fields and boundary with Dartmoor. riparian trees post-medieval Barton fields resulting from • Pastoral, unimproved cultivation, estate tenure The Tavy Valley is separated from the Tamar some arable and some parkland • Neighbours areas of unenclosed moorland by a narrow high plateau. estates and watermeadows on Dartmoor to the east • Roadside copses and individual oaks • Long history of mining, including medieval on higher ground mining on the Bere Peninsula, which is • Gently curving stone-faced apparent in the landscape hedgebanks • Settlement consists of dispersed farms, • Scattering of hamlets and isolated occasional nucleated villages and larger farms with a few historic villages of villages including Buckland Monachorum vernacular character and local and Crapstone materials • Straight roads on high land and sunken • Dense network of minor sinuous lanes with high hedges on valley sides roads • Open views towards Dartmoor from higher • Long views over the valleys land, particularly around Bere Alston and Gulworthy • Within Cornwall and West Devon Mining Heritage WHS • Buckland Abbey rich in historic significance and also a major National Trust tourist site • 500-year old Lumburn Leat, associated with the medieval Royal silver mines on the Bere Peninsula • Conservation Areas at Milton Combe and Buckland Monachorum • Historic river crossing point at Denham Bridge • Tamar Valley Discovery Trail, West Devon Way and Drakes Trail

Annex 1b: TAMAR VALLEY AONB LANDSCAPE CHARACTER AREAS AND SPECIAL FEATURES 11 Version 2: January 2019 ꢀ