The key characteristics of the Howardian Hills are: 

29. Howardian Hills

The key characteristics of the Howardian Hills are:

• Clearly defined area of complex landform rising above the low lying land of the Vales of York and Pickering.

• Mixture of ridges, plateaux, plateau fringes, hills and valleys creating a highly varied landscape with diverse and sometimes extensive views, especially at the margins.

• Extensive areas of deciduous and mixed woodland, especially on ridges and steep slopes, with many being of ancient origin.

• Significant areas of coniferous woodland plantations mainly on high ground.

• A significant proportion of the area occupied by designed historic parkland landscapes, notably Castle Howard, but also many others.

• Varied pattern of agriculture, with arable cropping predominant, but with intimately mixed pockets of pastoral land.

• Fields of varying sizes and shapes, mainly enclosed by hedges, but with some drystone walls on the elevated plateau.

• Scattered settlements and small villages often built in local Jurassic limestone or sandstone, with red pantiles as roofing material, linked by a dense network of minor roads.

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.