Part 4: Landscape Character Assessment of Exmoor l LCT G: Incised Wooded River Valleys Landscape Character Type G: IncisedWoodedRiverValleys The River Barle looking south from Tarr Steps Summary Description This LCT is largely located within the southern part scattered farms, these give many of the valleys a of the National Park. It encompasses the tributaries settled character. However, there are also long and main courses of a number of rivers- the Bray, stretches of valley floor which are only accessible Mole, Barle, Exe, Haddeo and Avill, cutting through on foot and therefore feel more remote and the surrounding areas of Enclosed Farmland with tranquil. The character of the rivers is very Commons and Open Moorland. There are a changeable, becoming particularly dramatic when number of villages within this LCT, including Exford, they are in spate following heavy rain. The Incised Withypool, and Brompton Regis, along with Wooded River Valleys is a rich historic landscape, numerous hamlets and scattered farms, and the containing many fine bridges including Tarr Steps town of Dulverton. and Landacre Bridge, which are popular visitor The landscape comprises steep-sided, often destinations. There are notable Iron-Age defensive densely-wooded valleys. They form distinctive dark sites overlooking the valleys, and many medieval green fingers that push through the surrounding landscape features. The reservoir at Wimbleball is areas of farmland and moorland. Fast flowing rocky another popular site, and a much more recent streams tumble along valley floors, often with addition to the landscape. dramatic descents in levels. Roads often follow the There are six distinctive Landscape Character Areas courses of the rivers, and settlements are clustered (LCAs) within the LCT, each representing a different around bridges and fords. Together with the river catchment. 190 Exmoor Landscape Character Assessment 2018 G1:Bray G2:Mole G3:Barle G4:Exe G5:Haddeo G6:Avill Key Characteristics of the Incised Wooded River Valleys l The underlying geology is varied, l Field patterns often ancient/ medieval including slate, sandstone and siltstone in origin, forming an irregular mosaic. with drift deposits of alluvium along the Fields are usually enclosed by hedges, courses of the rivers. hedgebanks and trees. l Dramatic valley landform, with steep- l Settlement is small-scale and sloping sides and relatively narrow but picturesque. Settlements are typically open valley floors. nucleated and nestled in the shelter of l Fast-flowing and steeply-descending the valley bottoms. Many are centred rivers with large deposited boulders. Wimbleball reservoir is a substantial around fords or bridges. area of open water. l Numerous historic buildings and l Primarily woodland and agricultural structures, including bridges, mills, land cover, with a strong pastoral churches, houses and farms. character in valley floors. l Traditional activities include field sports, l Semi-natural habitats include with woodlands providing shelter to woodland, grassland and lush riparian raise game. (river bank) habitats. Ferns are also Woodland cover and enveloping sides common. l of the valleys creates a dark and l Valley sides cloaked in woodland- enclosing landscape character, which mixed, deciduous and coniferous. There is considerable coverage of ancient feels sheltered, and which varies with woodland, including bluebell woods. the changing seasons. l Tranquillity is variable, depending on proximity to the valley roads. 191 Part 4: Landscape Character Assessment of Exmoor l LCT G: Incised Wooded River Valleys Natural Landscape Features With a general elevation range of between 150m There is a considerable amount of ancient and 350m AOD, this is a highly distinctive landscape woodland, and the Barle Valley (G3) is also within of steep-sided valleys with narrow, flat valley floors. the Exmoor and Quantock Oakwoods Special Area Long Barrow in the upper Exe Valley is a periglacial of Conservation. Tarr Steps Woodland is a National feature. The twisting form of the valleys reflects the Nature Reserve, with routes taking in the river, meandering streams and rivers which created them. woodland and nearby moorland on Winsford Hill. The clear, boulder-strewn waters are important Many of the deciduous woodlands have lush habitats for fish, birds and mammals, including understoreys, and are rich in ferns, rare mosses, salmon, eels, kingfishers, dippers and otters, and the liverworts and lichens. In spring there are carpets of River Barle (G3) (which is in an exceptionally natural bluebells, and in autumn rich shades of golden state) is designated a Site of Special Scientific leaves. Tree cover is predominantly sessile oak, but Interest. These rivers have been described as the holly, ash, hazel and honeysuckle are also present, ‘blood supply’ of much of Exmoor’s ecology. with many veteran trees. The glades of heath and Wimbleball Lake reservoir (G5) is the largest expanse small fields within the woodland support of water within the National Park, and is a valued populations of butterflies (including rare fritillaries), resource for water storage and recreation. and there are also colonies of bats roosting in the Woodland defines much of the landcover, woodland. Woodland also provides cover for red predominantly deciduous woodland interspersed and roe deer and other native mammals such as with mixed and coniferous areas. foxes and stoats. Fern-lined bank in the Mole Valley Bluebell wood in spring, Barle Valley Autumn colours in the Haddeo Valley 192 Exmoor Landscape Character Assessment 2018 Designated Nature Conservation Sites Special Area of Exmoor and Quantock Oakwoods Ancient Woodland Occurs throughout all areas, Conservation (SAC) (G3); Exmoor Heaths (G4) extensive in G2, G3, G4, G5, G6 National Nature Tarr Steps Woodland (G3) Site of Special Barle Valley (G3); River Barle (G3); Reserve (NNR) Scientific Interest North Exmoor (G4, G6); South (SSSI) Exmoor (G5) Local Geological Pennycombe Crags and Knolls (G3); Site (LGS) Tarr Steps Face and Quarry (G3); County / Local Extensive throughout, including Marsh Bridge Quarry (G3); Upper Exe Wildlife Site (C/LWS) woodland, grassland, copses, Warren Group (G4); The Punchbowl historic parkland (Pixton Park), (G4); Brockhole Quarry and Weir moorland and commons Rock (G4); Oaktrow Quarries (G6) Historic Landscape Features occasions. It is the longest bridge of this type in and the Built Environment Britain. The River Barle is also overlooked by a series Rivers (and specifically their crossing points) have of Iron-Age defended sites (known as ‘castles’) which long been a focus for human influences, and there are located on high ground above the river and near are many examples within the Incised Wooded River to iron ore deposits. These have long views along Valleys . The popular clapper bridge at Tarr Steps was the river valley. Their location away from modern built in Medieval times, although the structure has roads adds to their sense of isolation and been rebuilt following floods on a number of detachment from the contemporary world. Ford and footbridge at Bury, Haddeo Valley Oldberry Iron-Age Hillfort, near Dulverton (G3) ©Historic England Archive There are a number of other notable bridges within Incised Wooded River Valleys contain many historic the LCT, including Landacre Bridge and Withypool buildings, including churches, houses, pubs and a Bridge (both on the Barle). Landacre Bridge was the priory. The local emphasis on the ‘ford’ element of meeting place of the Forest Court, which dealt with the placename is perhaps not a coincidence. These crimes against the Royal Forest, such as entering are recognised through Scheduled Monuments, with a gun, bow or dog. There are also numerous Principal Archaeological Landscapes, Listed fords, often with an ancient stone pedestrian Building and Conservation Area designations. The bridge alongside. Many settlements have river-based origins of the settlements are apparent developed around bridges and fords, and the in their place-names, including Exford, Withypool, 193 Part 4: Landscape Character Assessment of Exmoor l LCT G: Incised Wooded River Valleys Exton, Winsford and Bridgetown. Building styles are part in traditional country sports such as hunting, varied within the LCT, and within individual shooting and fishing. Several of the villages are settlements. For example, Exford contains thatched popular destinations for visitors, who appreciate cottages with coloured render, and stone buildings the historic bridges, fords, churches, and with slate roofs. Most village buildings are small in picturesque cottages clustered around village scale, but there are some larger hotels, many of greens. The landscape setting of these villages adds which still cater for visitors coming to view or take to their character and charm. Landacre Bridge Withypool bridge The town of Dulverton is a local service centre and medieval origins behind later facades. Most of the sits at the southern end of the Barle Valley. Often houses are stone (some rendered) with slate roofs. referred to as the southern gateway to Exmoor, Housing gradually becomes more recent along the Dulverton sits adjacent to the Barle floodplain, and roads leading out of the town, with some Victorian is characterised by small-scale shops, pubs and buildings, examples of Arts and Crafts architecture, tearooms surrounding the town hall with its distinctive external steps, first-floor porch and and post-war housing towards the outskirts. The arched windows. The square-towered church