The key characteristics of Eden Valley are:

9. Eden Valley

The key characteristics of Eden Valley are:


• Broad river valley landscapes of productive mixed farmland with local variations in topography, scale and landcover.

• Productive improved pasture and arable land with large farms in the lower lying areas.

• Less intensively managed rolling or hilly pasture and lowland heath, intersected by numerous gills, in the foothills of the North Pennines.

• Sandstone hills with woodland and lowland heath vegetation.

• Numerous small basin mires among drumlins.

• Large broadleaved and coniferous estate/farm woodlands and areas of ancient semi-natural woodland. Mature hedgerows, hedgerow trees, small copses, shelterbelts contribute to the well-wooded character.

• Settlements have strong distinctive character. Red sandstone is the dominant building material and a unifying feature. Limestone is found on the margins of the area.

• Intricate network of narrow minor roads with tall hadegerows and walls.

• Red sandstone features such as walls and gateposts.

• Important transport corridor for the Settle-Carlisle railway line, M6 motorway, A66 trunk road and west coast mainline.

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.