Summary of Landscape Character

• Dolomitic Conglomerate is the principal rock formation

• Gentle to steeply sloping edge to the Mendip Hills with local undulations and rock outcrops

• Slopes incised with minor valleys or combes which are often wooded

• Ancient semi-natural woodland on steeper slopes

• Most agricultural land is grassland including both rough grazing and cultivated and re-seeded grassland

• Field boundaries typically marked by tall hedges and more rarely walls towards the upper slopes

• Fields are generally small, irregular on the upper slopes indicating medieval woodland clearance and regular on the lower slopes indicating enclosure of open fields in the late medieval period

• Settlements of Ubley, East Harptree, Compton Martin and West Harptree located at the foot of the slope along the springline have strong visual connection with character area

• Houses generally have clay-tiled roofs; many painted or rendered white. Mixture of natural building materials including Carboniferous Limestones and red sandstone

• Extensive views across Chew Valley

• Area well served by minor roads and public rights of way including the Limestone Link long distance footpath

• Features include disused quarries and lime-kilns, shafts along the line of the Bristol Water Works supply pipe and remnants of orchards

• Noise along A368 corridor otherwise generally quiet and peaceful

Description

Landform and Drainage Pattern

 7.4.7 The north-east facing slope falls dramatically from the edge of the Mendip Hills and is moderate to steeply sloping. The steepest slopes occur towards the west of the area where the Dolomitic Conglomerate outcrop is narrower such as to the west of Compton Martin with slopes of about 25º. Where the Dolomitic Conglomerate outcrop is wider such as around East Harptree the slopes are gentler at about 4º to 8º. The land is characteristically undulating with occasional rock outcrops. Rocky combes or gorges such as Compton Combe above Compton Martin and Harptree Combe near East Harptree typically incise the Mendip Slopes. The former is a dry valley and the latter is occupied by the Molly Brook.

Land-uses

7.4.8 The land is generally suitable for a range of agricultural uses. Cultivation however is limited in places by the steepness of the slopes. In these areas the land has been left as woodland or used as rough grazing for dairy and beef cattle and typically has bracken and thorn scrub. Rocky outcrops have also hampered cultivation even on shallower slopes and such land was often planted with orchards and used for winter grazing. The more gentle slopes particularly to the east of the area have allowed cultivation to take place and include ley pasture.

Fields, Boundaries and Trees

 7.4.9 Tall hedges containing trees generally enclose the fields. Walls are more characteristic of the Mendip Hills plateau but occasionally extend onto the Mendip Slopes. Where there are walls they have generally been neglected and have become overgrown with scrub. Historically most of the fields on the upper slopes were enclosed during the Middle Ages by piecemeal clearance of woodland and rough pasture. This gave rise to small irregular fields. The fields on the lower slopes by contrast were enclosed from open fields during the late Middle Ages. The resultant fields are typically small, with some medium, and regular in outline following the natural lie of the land. A distinctly different field pattern occurs at The Wrangle to the south of Compton Martin where the small-scale rectilinear field pattern is characteristic of late 18th or early 19th century enclosure of remaining heathland. A small settlement developed around the edge during the 19th century.

7.4.10 The steep slopes and incised valleys have given rise to significant woods or groups of trees, as at Harptree Hill, where cultivation was not possible. Many of the woods including Ubley Wood, Compton Wood, Harptree Combe, The Grove and Lady/Buckley Wood are ancient semi-natural woods. They form prominent features viewed from the Chew Valley. The nature conservation value of the woodlands is recognised by their designation as SNCIs and in the case of Harptree Combe a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Occasional groups of old knarled apple trees indicate the remnants of old apple orchards.

Settlement and Communications

7.4.11 Settlement principally comprises individual houses and farms scattered along lanes running north-south up the scarp slope. There are two hamlets at the Wrangle and Ridge. The villages of Ubley, East Harptree, Compton Martin and West Harptree are located at the bottom of the Mendips Slope on the spring line. Whilst actually situated in the Upper Chew and Yeo Valleys character area, these villages have a strong visual connection to the Mendip Slopes, nestling as they do into the base of the scarp. Buildings within the area are typically roofed with clay tiles and include many white painted or rendered houses. Traditional building materials include Carboniferous Limestone and red sandstone.

7.4.12 There are a surprisingly large number of generally minor roads within the area perhaps reflecting the historical significance of the area for mining and agriculture. The greatest density of roads is around West and East Harptree where the slopes are gentler. The ancient route of the A368 west of West Harptree generally follows the foot of the Mendips Slopes and is the major road within the area. It lies within the Upper Chew and Yeo Valleys character area but effectively marks the boundary between the two character areas. Several minor roads such as Highfield Lane, Harptree Hill and Smitham Hill ascend the slopes generally following the gentler inclines. Some roads originated as droveways to open pasture. They have straight and winding sections, are sunken and frequently bounded by tall banks and tall hedges which overhang the road, creating a strong localised sense of enclosure.

 7.4.13 A long distance footpath, the Limestone Link, passes through both Compton Martin and West Harptree on its way from the Mendips to the Cotswolds.

Landscape Characteristics

 7.4.14 The Mendip Slopes are visible over a wide area stretching northwards to the Dundry Hills and conversely they offer spectacular views over the Chew Valley. The landscape, however, has an unexpected intimate quality provided by the incised valleys or combes, the local undulations in the topography and the tall hedges and woodland blocks. The A368 and adjoining uses such as garages generate a significant amount of noise. This contrasts with the generally peaceful atmosphere outside the road corridor.

7.4.15 There are many features of interest such as the shafts located along the line of the Bristol Waterworks supply pipes passing to the south and west of West and East Harptree. Small quarries and lime-kilns were also a feature of the landscape now often only marked by undulations on the ground. The position of the pound to the south of West Harptree is also evident.