Natural England

146. Vale of Taunton and Quantock Fringes

• Lowland farmland qualities in sharp contrast to surrounding upland landscapes. 

• Lowland, mixed farming landscape, with dense hedges, sparse woodland and frequent settlement.

• Contrast between floodplain, low clay vale and higher sandstone vale edge.

• Scattered settlement of farmsteads and hamlets linked by winding lanes.

• Scattered villages.

• Red sandstone buildings and prominent Perpendicular church towers.

• Cider apple orchards.

• Variable hedgerow tree cover, with some areas of abundant hedgerow oaks.

• Willows on floodplains.

• Open and windswept coast with low cliffs.

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.