Natural England

Low Weald

• Broad, low lying and gently undulating clay vales underline a small-scale intimate landscape enclosed by an intricate mix of small woodlands, a patchwork of fields, and hedgerows.

• Topography and soils vary locally in relation to higher drier outcrops of limestone or sandstone, which are commonly sites of settlements.

• Low Weald generally includes an abundance of ponds and small stream valleys often with wet woodlands of alder and willow.

• Tall hedgerows with numerous mature trees link copses, shaws and remnant woodlands which combine to give the Low Weald a well-wooded character. Field trees, usually of oak but now declining, are characteristic of the area south-east of Dorking.

• Grassland predominates on the heavy clay soils while lighter soils on higher ground support arable cropping in a more open landscape.

• Rural in character with dispersed farmsteads, small settlements often include mainly timber and brick-built traditional buildings where not now dominated by recent urban development.

• Historic settlement pattern was dictated by a preference for higher drier outcrops of limestone or sandstone with moated manor houses being a characteristic feature.

• Urban and airport related development sprawl in the flat plain around Gatwick, and in the Horley-Crawley commuter settlements, contrast with the pleasant, wet, woody, rural character of the area and as such are less distinctively Wealden.

• Hop growing and orchards are still a distinctive land use in the east.

• The Kentish Low Weald is traversed by numerous narrow lanes with broad verges and ditches; these are continuous with the drove roads of the North Downs.

For further details on this character area and for an introduction to the region, please see the PDF documents in the box at the top right hand side of this page.