This area is a rural fringe of Bath outside the city boundary.
It has been included in this city wide character appraisal because
it is an area which contributes significantly to the setting and
character of the city.
This area forms part of Area 18 of the ‘Rural Landscapes of Bath
and North East Somerset: A Landscape Character Assessment’
(2003).
Physical Influences
Physical Influences
8.3.1 The valley sides consist of Fuller’s Earth and
Lias Clays that are overlain by Oolitic Limestone on the high
ground. The valley floor contains drift geology of alluvium and
gravel.
Landform and Drainage Pattern
8.3.2 The meandering course of the River Avon lies
within a broad but steep sided valley. The steepness of the valley
sides in relation to the breadth of the valley gives a dramatic
almost gorge-like feel to the landform in places. The form of the
valley with its steep and undulating sides has resulted from the
instability of the layers of Oolitic Limestone over clay leading to
landslips along the section east of Bath.
8.3.3 The Midford Brook by contrast occupies a
narrow valley but it also has steep sides. The floor of each valley
is generally flat or gently sloping and gradually increases in
steepness higher up the valley sides. The encircling nature of the
area around the eastern edge of Bath means that the slopes face a
variety of directions.
Land Use and Buildings
Land Use
8.3.4 The land is mainly pastoral. There are sports
pitches north of Bathampton and along the Midford Brook valley.
There are also areas of formal parkland. Woodland cover forms a
major component of the landscape around the edge of Bath.
8.3.5 The main settlements occupy sloping ground and
are clustered along the roads on the sides of the valleys. They
include Batheaston, Bathford, Claverton and Monkton Combe. There
are also several farms and large properties, many mid and late C18
such as Claverton Manor. These characteristically occupy strategic
positions on the upper slopes overlooking the valleys.
8.3.6 Throughout history the area has been important
as a communication corridor. The Avon valley contains the river and
also the Kennet and Avon Canal, the railway, the A4 and the A36
Warminster Road, and a number of public footpaths all of which make
use of the comparative convenience of the valley floor. The Kennet
and Avon Canal as well as the River Avon are now important for
recreation.
Building Form and Heights
8.3.7 Buildings are mainly two storeys with a small
number three storeys.
Building Age
8.3.8 Buildings, particularly in the villages, are
of mixed age but are largely late C18 and C19 though there are some
more recent buildings.
Materials and Architectural Details
8.3.9 The traditional building material is Bath
stone for walls often with clay tile or occasionally slate roofs.
Reconstituted stone is now widely used often with dark coloured
concrete tile roofs.
Street Pattern
8.3.10 The roads through the villages either follow the contours
or wind down the side of the valley and have an organic appearance.
Batheaston and Bathford are larger villages which have grown up the
hillsides. The villages of Claverton and Monkton Combe are mainly
linear following the line of the streets.
Density and Degree of Enclosure
8.3.11 The area is rural with an open character. Enclosure is
provided in places by hedges, woodland and sunken lanes and also by
buildings in the villages.
Vitality and Tranquillity
8.3.12 The A4 Batheaston Bypass and the A36 Warminster Road both
cut through the area causing significant noise and movement. Away
from these main vehicular routes the landscape is generally
tranquil broken only by intermittent noise such as passing trains
and sports matches.
Boundary Treatments
8.3.13 Hedges are the most common treatment for field
boundaries. Walls are also particularly characteristic forming
field boundaries, enclosure to the locally distinctive footpaths or
‘drungs’ and the enclosure within the villages and hamlets.
Influence of Vegetation and Open Space
8.3.14 The valley sides are typically well covered by woods.
Most of the larger woodlands are ancient semi-natural woodland. As
well as native woodland there are also distinctive parkland trees
such as copper beech and redwood trees. Remnants of traditional
orchards, which used to be a common sight, are still to be seen.
There is often patchy scrub on the more gentle lower slopes acting
as a transition between the woods and the fields.
8.3.15 Hedgerows often enclose the fields, some are well trimmed
and others are tall and unclipped. These hedges frequently include
mature oaks and other trees. The courses of the rivers and brooks
are marked by groups of willow and alder trees.
Features, Landmarks and Views
8.3.16 There are many distinctive structures associated with the
canal, the river and the railway. The A36 viaduct and Dundas
Aqueduct near Monkton Combe are particularly interesting, as are
many of the smaller bridges.
8.3.17 Some less attractive features within the landscape
include traffic, pylons and communication masts.
8.3.18 There are many dramatic views to landmarks such as Little
Solsbury Hill and Brown’s Folly above Bathford. Views towards the
city include the buildings of Combe Down with the spire of Holy
Trinity Church and the wooded Mount Beacon. There are also views to
Bathampton and Batheaston on the valley sides. The green-roofed
Snow Hill flats and the tower block are conspicuous in the view to
the city and detract from the otherwise harmonious fusion of town
and countryside. Midford Castle stands out on the upper slopes of
the Midford Brook valley.
8.3.19 The open landscape and steep valley sides provide
extensive views both along and across the valley. The ridges and
dense woodland on each side often frame the views. In places the
valley sides are so steep and heavily wooded that they give a
dramatic and gorge-like feeling to the valley.
Cultural Influences
Historic Uses
8.3.20 The area has traditionally been important for agriculture
and small local industries that made use of the available water
power. Most of the field pattern reflects modern adjustments of
earlier enclosures. There are however still areas of mediaeval
enclosure between Claverton and Bathford.
8.3.21 The Avon valley has always been an important
communication corridor. It contains the river, the Kennet and Avon
Canal, the railway, the A4 and the A36 Warminster Road. This latter
road was built in 1830 as a turnpike road by Macadam. The Kennet
and Avon Canal was built for moving stone but is now important for
recreation. The Somersetshire Coal Canal joined it at Dundas and a
short remaining section can still be seen near the aqueduct. The
Camerton branch of the railway once followed the Midford Brook
valley. This was immortalised in the film ‘The Titfield
Thunderbolt’.
