2A: HIGHCLERE CHASE Falkland Farm – Consistent sized small to very small pasture fields extend up onto the higher gravels in the north. Hollington Cross Highclere pasture and parkland Falkland Farm – pasture fields East Woodhay –Victorian /Edwardian Burghclere estate cottages Burghclere Church houses with typical local red / orange brick and Welsh slate. Hampshire County 1 Status: Final May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment Highclere Chase Hampshire County 2 Status: Final May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment Highclere Chase 1.0 Location and Boundaries 1.1 This character area is located in the far northwest corner of Hampshire County. Its northern edge is defined by the River Enborne while to the south it is flanked by a distinctive chalk scarp which marks an abrupt change in geology. To the east there is a gradual transition to more open mosaic farmland. Key defining elements of this landscape are the influence of parkland (e.g. Highclere), raised areas of heathland and the strong visual and cultural association with the chalk escarpment to the south. 1.2 Component County Landscape Types Settled Lowland Mosaic Heath Associated, River Valley Floor 1.3 Composition of Borough/District LCAs: Basingstoke and Deane Highclere and Burghclere Ecchinswell This character area correlates with the distribution of small scale and wooded mixed farmland types identified in the Basingstoke and Dean local level assessment. The eastern boundary of the County character area is a reflection of the transition at Borough level from the small scale to the open farmland and woodland type which is also coincident with the presence of more streams in the Ecchinswell LCA. 1.4 Associations with NCAs and Natural Areas: NCA 129: Thames Basin Heaths NA 66: London Basin 2.0 Key Characteristics Mosaic of clay, gravels, sands and loams resulting in subdued undulating relief. The landform generally slopes northwards towards the River Enborne and is dissected by incised stream valleys adding complexity to landform. Numerous woodlands (ancient semi-natural assarted woods and plantation) giving an enclosed, intimate character. Varied biodiversity, deriving from the area’s woodland, heathland, agricultural, grassland and wetland habitats. Unusual concentration of 19th century origin estate houses and parks. Predominantly pasture land use (including paddocks/stud farms) within medium to small scaled fields defined by hedgerows with hedgerow trees. Areas of former heath/common land much of which is now wooded. Strong visual and cultural link to the chalk escarpment to the south. Numerous scattered villages and farmsteads. Unusually high density of narrow winding lanes, tracks and footpaths which is a striking aspect of this landscape. Hampshire County 3 Status: Final May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment Highclere Chase 3.0 Physical Characteristics and Land Use 3.1 The underlying geology comprises London Clay with patches of high level terrace deposits and Bagshot Beds giving rise to a mosaic of clay, gravels, sands and loam. The result is a subdued relief and a strong correlation between areas of heathland character and the less productive, well drained and more acidic soils associated with the Bagshot Beds and terrace deposits. Within the river valleys the soils are slowly permeable and may be seasonally waterlogged. The orientation of this landscape is northwards sloping gently down towards the valley of the River Enborne. The whole of this landscape is dissected by small streams which form tributaries to the river adding complexity to the landform. Agricultural land quality is predominately of medium quality with some areas of higher quality in the river valleys and south of Woolton Hill. 3.2 This is a diverse and intimate landscape of varied topography, covered by a medium to small-scaled mosaic of native broadleaved woodland, some mixed farmland (improved/semi-improved grassland and limited arable) creating a relatively enclosed, well-treed character. Small to medium scaled fields are defined by mature hedges with hedgerow trees. 3.3 Patches of remnant dry heath occur mainly in the central and eastern parts of this character area retained in areas of common where there is a predominance of acidic vegetation as well as areas of conifer plantation. 3.4 The area falls within the Environment Agency Kennet and Enborne catchment area. The tributary streams which feed the River Enborne and dissect this landscape start in the southern part of the area as springs at the junction of the chalk geology with the clay. These streams run broadly north-south. Open waterbodies in the form of small ponds are associated with the streams. Waterbodies also feature in some designed parklands notably at Highclere Park – where medieval fishing ponds were later developed as lakes in the designed landscape. 4.0 Experiential/Perceptual Characteristics 4.1 This is a complex and intimate landscape with close range views as a result of woodland cover. Where outwards views are possible they are generally to the elevated chalk escarpment which lies to the south and overlooks the area. The varied topography of this landscape coupled with woodland contributes to a sense of remoteness and rurality and can often be disorientating. The area’s small scaled intimate character and areas of parkland estate contribute greatly to its high scenic quality and justify its part designation as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. 4.2 This landscape is traversed by a network of narrow lanes and public rights of way. Former heathland and common still provide some areas of open access e.g. Newtown Common, Sydmonton Common, as do areas of conifer plantation over former common (some of which are owned and managed by the Forestry Commission or National Trust) and which are popular for outdoor recreation e.g. Great Fen Wood and The Chase. There are no long distance routes which pass through this landscape. Key tourist attractions include Highclere Castle. 4.3 Parts of this area have a strongly settled character, due to numerous horse paddocks and stud farms, dispersed housing and recent residential developments Hampshire County 4 Status: Final May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment Highclere Chase around existing villages such as Woolton Hill. Nevertheless this landscape has a high degree of tranquillity particularly in central areas to the west of Highclere. 5.0 Biodiversity Character 5.1 This landscape character area consists of a mosaic of agricultural grasslands and arable land, some heath associated habitats and woodland of varying types and ages. Many are structurally diverse, rich in lichen and fungal flora while ancient and semi natural woodland is well distributed across the area, with some sizeable patches associated with Highclere Park in the south. 5.2 Heath associated habitats include both dry and wet heaths and exist mainly towards the east of the area, the largest are associated with the Burghclere Common SINC. 5.3 There is one SSSI in the area comprising an old deer park (Highclere Park), which contains broadleaved, mixed and yew woodlands (lowland), standing open water, acid and neutral grasslands and fen, marsh and swamp habitats. The grassland comprises a combination of calcifuge and calcicole species that are unique in Hampshire. The mature parkland and wood pasture trees support a rich and diverse lichen and moss flora, with numerous species indicative of its ancient woodland origins. 5.4 This character area is part of the North Hampshire Lowland and Heath Biodiversity Opportunity Area. The area contains a complex series of ancient commons which would once have been covered by heathland and acid grassland with a scatter of small woods. There are also opportunities to restore and enhance a range of BAP habitats. 5.5 There are over 100 SINCs within this LCA varying in size. The Great Pen Wood (78 Hectares) is one of the largest and has been designated because a significant proportion of the woodland consists of surviving ancient and semi-natural woodland. Other notable SINCs include Sydmonton Common and Lower Burnoak Copse which consist of ancient and semi-natural woodland. These woods retain significant remnants of heathland vegetation which could enable their recovery. There are also a high numbers of ancient woodland associated and unimproved grassland type SINCs. Herbert Plantation LNR is amixed lowland woodland to the south of Burghclere Common. 6.0 Historic Character 6.1 Archaeology 6.1.1 Limited evidence from the Mesolithic occurs above the streams and is sufficient to suggest exploitation of this area in that period. There is no evidence of Neolithic settlement, although some finds have been made in the Enborne valley and close to the southern edge of this area. As there is considerable evidence of Neolithic exploitation on the chalk, it seems likely that this area was not settled in the Neolithic and was exploited from adjacent areas. The distribution of archaeological evidence indicates a similar trend during the Bronze Age and Iron Age periods. Overall, the dispersed settlement and the multiple tracks and paths found in this landscape seem to suggest that it has only relatively recently evolved and for much of prehistory was extensively and not intensively exploited. Hampshire County 5 Status: Final May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment Highclere Chase 6.1.2 In the Roman period there is only one site recorded, at Horris Hill, but the evidence suggests that this may be quite a significant site, perhaps representing early encroachment onto unenclosed land. 6.1.3 The medieval evolution of the landscape, with the development of a sheep-corn system of agriculture, enclosure of common land and enclosure from woodland (assart) is clearly apparent in the historic character of the area. Parishes (such as Old Burghclere) still run in a north-south axis across this landscape, connecting the lower lying clays and sands of this area with the chalk landscapes to the south. The presence of deer parks reflects the forest status of the area, and has connections to the Bishop of Winchester as a significant local landowner.