The key characteristics of the South Cumbria Low Fells are:

19. South Cumbria Low Fells

The key characteristics of the South Cumbria Low Fells are:

• A pastoral landscape with substantial woodlands and large mature trees which form a rich mosaic of textures, patterns and colours.

• Undulating low fells and ridges dissected by Lake Windermere and Coniston Water, numerous streams and minor river valleys covered by a dense pattern of semi-natural, mixed and conifer woodlands with small scale enclosures of semi-improved grassland.

• Rugged fells, over 300m in height, with a diverse pattern of rock outcrop, heathland, tarns and becks, small wetlands and mires, rough grassland, bracken and small broadleaved and coniferous copses.

• Well managed land with a parkland character associated with the edges of the principal lakes, valley bottom locations and large country house estates. 
Open semi-improved pasture on a plateau between the Rivers Kent and Lune with a shallow relief of ridges and hollows.

• Well maintained dry stone walls, villages, hamlets, isolated farms and barns and large country houses built from local limestone and slate.

• An intricate pattern of undulating and twisting minor roads serving the dispersed settlements.

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.