The key characteristics of the South Suffolk and North Essex Claylands are:

86. South Suffolk and North Essex Claylands

The key characteristics of the South Suffolk and North Essex Claylands are:

• Broadly flat, chalky, boulder clay plateau dissected by undulating river valley topography, particularly marked in upper valley reaches, which are much smaller in scale.

• Predominantly arable with wooded appearance. Some pasture in valley floors. Irregular field pattern despite rationalization; remnant Ancient Countryside.

• Scattered farmsteads, deep ditches and moats, parishes with scattered, small settlements around 'tyes' (commons) or strip greens, with isolated hamlets. Concentration of isolated moated sites.

• Timber-framed and colour-washed houses, sometimes faced with Georgian red brick. Impressive churches. Large villages and frequent towns, most with medieval street plans and elaborate timber-frame houses. Rich heritage of barns. Fewer settlements and more 20th century development towards coast, with several large estates.

• Cultural association with Constable and tourist honey pot of Dedham Vale. Preserved, archetypal, lowland pastoral, English countryside coupled with attractive vernacular buildings dating from period of industrial wealth.

• Hedgerow tree of area is elm (with hornbeam) in Essex. Oak and ash in Suffolk. Few large woods (20 acres plus), but some ancient coppice woods and typical pattern of copses connected by hedgerow. Trees and woods appear to join together to give wooded skyline, with some bare ridgelines.

• Winding road pattern away from major routes, often with wide verges and strong hedgerows. Sunken hollow lanes are a feature, lined with hedgerows, but impact of Dutch Elm disease apparent.

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.