National Character Area 78 - Central North Norfolk : Key Facts & Data

National Character Area 78

Central North Norfolk - Key Facts & Data

Landscape and nature conservation designations section contains a map

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated. The maps contain live frequently updated datasets.

Central North Norfolk contains parts of The Broads National Park (32 ha), Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) (10,862 ha) and North Norfolk Heritage Coast (29 ha) (Natural England, 2011).

National Landscape (AONB) Management Plans

National Landscapes (legally known as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty – AONBs) are nationally important landscapes, designated under the 1949 National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act. Their primary purpose is to ‘conserve and enhance natural beauty’. Clicking on the relevant National Landscape in the below map will also take you to that specific National Landscape website.
 
The following National Landscapes can be found within this NCA:

 

People walking a path over the coastal headlands

National Park Management Plans

National Parks are nationally designated landscapes with two statutory purposes: 1) to conserve and enhance their natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage; and 2) to promote opportunities for public enjoyment and understanding of their special qualities. Clicking on the relevant National Park in the below map will also take you to that specific National Park website.
 
The following National Parks can be found within this NCA:

 

A group of people in a park

Relationship with the coast

The adjacent coastline is covered by the following Shoreline Management Plans:

  • Hunstanton to Kelling Hard
  • Kelling Hard to Lowestoft

The adjacent coastline includes the following Marine Plan – Marine Character Areas (MCAs):

  • Norfolk Coastal Waters
  • East Midlands Coastal Water

Hunstanton to Kelling Hard Shoreline Management Plan

Shoreline Management Plans are developed by Coastal Groups with members mainly from local authorities and the Environment Agency. They identify the most sustainable approach to managing the flood and coastal erosion risks to the coastline in the short, medium and long term. This could inform actions within the NCA.

Fields running alongside the sea

Kelling Hard to Lowestoft Shoreline Management Plan

Shoreline Management Plans are developed by Coastal Groups with members mainly from local authorities and the Environment Agency. They identify the most sustainable approach to managing the flood and coastal erosion risks to the coastline in the short, medium and long term. This could inform actions within the NCA.

Fields running alongside the sea

Description for the Norfolk Coastal Waters Marine Character Area

Seascape Character Assessments have been produced for all marine plan areas in England, extending along the coast to the High Water Mark. Information in the Seascape Character Assessments could inform actions along the coastline of the NCA.
 

A cove

Description for the East Midlands Coastal Waters Marine Character Area

Seascape Character Assessments have been produced for all marine plan areas in England, extending along the coast to the High Water Mark. Information in the Seascape Character Assessments could inform actions along the coastline of the NCA.
 

A cove

Designated nature conservation sites

The NCA includes the following statutory nature conservation designations (Natural England, Special Protection Areas; Special Area of Conservation; Ramsars; National Nature Reserves; Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Local Nature Reserves, 2021):

Please note: (i) Designated areas may overlap (ii) all figures are cut to Mean High Water Line, designations that span coastal/marine areas below this line will not be included.

Condition of designated sites
All designated sites within England are covered by Sites of Scientific Interest (SSSI) units. The condition to these SSSI units within the NCA are as follows (Natural England, Sites of Special Scientific Interest Units, 2021; 2023):

MAGiC Interactive Mapping Tool

Maps showing locations of statutory sites can be found on Defra’s MAGiC Interactive Mapping Tool by referring selecting Designations/Land-Based Designations/Statutory.

Map

Natural England Designated Sites View

Details of individual designated sites and their condition can be found on the Natural England website. To view the condition of a site, selects a site, then select the SSSI that legally underpins this, then select “View summary unit condition”.

A group of bushes in a field

Natural Capital Atlas Profiles

The Natural Capital Atlas Profiles provide an “off the shelf” natural capital evidence base for each county or city region. This includes ecosystem services relating to nature conservation designations, such as biodiversity. Clicking on the relevant County in the below map will also take you to that specific Natural Capital Atlas Profile.
 
The following Natural Capital Atlas Profiles cover counties within this NCA:

  • 25: Norfolk

 

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Landscape and nature conservation designations map for NCA78

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Landform, geology and soils section contains a map

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated. The maps contain live frequently updated datasets.

Elevation

The lowest point of the NCA is 0.3m below sea level. The highest point is 101m above sea level on the Cromer Ridge. The Cromer Ridge forms a significant feature in the landscape contrasting with the generally low lying topography of the area (Central North Norfolk JCA description, Natural England, 2010).

Landform and process

Central North Norfolk is bounded to the north by coastal cliffs and the Cromer Ridge. The Ridge has an average width of 8 km and has a steep north slope and a gentle south slope. It extends from Holt to Mundesley but is most pronounced in the vicinity of Sheringham, where it reaches 100m in height. It is not, in national terms, a major landscape feature but an unusual one in East Anglia and is of great interest geologically. This vestige of a former glaciation, with its mix of till (silty clays), sands and gravels, has created complexity to the soils in the area, giving rise to great variation in land cover. On the coast between Sheringham and Cromer there are foreshore exposures of Chalk, especially at West Runton where the presence of large paramoudra flints in the Chalk provide the only chalk rocky shore between Flamborough Head and the north Kent coast. East of Cromer the cliffs become higher and reach 60m between Overstrand and Mundesley. They also become more unstable and are subject to major landslides caused by water draining through the cliffs and erosion by the sea from the toe of the cliffs. The cliffs are composed of glacial till which varies from sand to chalk marl and this is often contorted into sand basins and ridges. The Overstrand cliffs are generally well vegetated. Flushes caused by springs issuing from the cliffs are a feature (Central North Norflk NCA description, North Norfolk Natural Area Profile).

Bedrock geology

Late Cretaceous Chalk underlies almost half of the NCA. During the Anglian glaciations four hundred and fifty thousand years ago, ice sheets moving across the area eroded the ground. The eroded material Now deposited at the base of the ice to form sheets of till (boulder clay) up to tens of metres thick over the chalk bedrock. As the climate warmed and the ice melted, fast-flowing streams of melt water carried sands and gravels, depositing them in valleys where they can be found today. The landscape to the north around Cromer and Sheringham is defined by the presence of Late Tertiary bedrock, generally know as Crag. This includes the Cromer Forest Bed which consists of a variety of mudstones and sandstones, often carbonate-rich and full of fossil remains. The fossils represent temperate climatic conditions and are overlain by the distinctive glacial deposits. Here the bedrock is divided between sand and gravel (61 per cent) and Chalk (40 per cent) (North Norfolk Natural Area Profile).

Superficial deposits

Superficial deposits of gravels, sand and mixed soft clayey sediments resulting from glaciations are found throughout the NCA (North Norfolk Natural Area Profile).

Designated geological sites

The NCA includes the following geological sites (Natural England, Geological and Mixed Sites of Special Scientific Interest, 2021):

wdt_ID NCA_ID NAME NCAAreaHa Interest type Area (ha) 2021 Percent of NCA (2021) Count
2361NORTH NORTHUMBERLAND COASTAL PLAIN37,669.6Geological6.80.01
2371NORTH NORTHUMBERLAND COASTAL PLAIN37,669.6Mixed1,029.52.75
2382NORTHUMBERLAND SANDSTONE HILLS72,694.6Geological45.40.14
2393CHEVIOT FRINGE51,591.3Geological17.10.02
2404CHEVIOTS36,487.9Geological165.00.52
2414CHEVIOTS36,487.9Mixed3,488.99.61
2425BORDER MOORS AND FORESTS127,155.9Geological85.70.18
2435BORDER MOORS AND FORESTS127,155.9Mixed35.80.01
2446SOLWAY BASIN98,350.4Geological7.20.02
2456SOLWAY BASIN98,350.4Mixed5,569.25.74

Natural England Designated Geological Sites View

Details of individual designated geological sites and their condition can be found on the Natural England website. To view the condition of a site, selects a site, then select the SSSI that legally underpins this, then select “View summary unit condition”.

A close up of layers of limestone on exposed rock face

Soils and Agriculture Classification

‘Soilscapes’ maps identify the soils of Central North Norfolk to be highly varied. A combination of slowly permeable seasonally wet slightly acid but base-rich loamy and clayey soils and slightly acid loamy and clayey soils with impeded drainage, in the south and west, contrasts with shallow lime-rich soils over chalk or limestone and freely draining loamy soils and freely draining slightly acid sandy soils in the north and east (National Soil Resources Institute).

The main grades of agricultural land in the NCA are broken down as follows (as a proportion of total land area) (Natural England, Provisional Agricultural Land Classification, 2019):

MAGiC Interactive Mapping Tool

Maps showing locations of statutory sites, soils and ALC can be found on Defra’s MAGiC Interactive Mapping Tool by selecting Designations/Land-Based Designations/Statutory and Landscape.

Map

Natural Capital Atlas Profiles

The Natural Capital Atlas Profiles provide an “off the shelf” natural capital evidence base for each county or city region. This includes ecosystem services relating to landform, geology and soils, such as geodiversity services and erosion control. Clicking on the relevant County in the below map will also take you to that specific Natural Capital Atlas Profile.
 
The following Natural Capital Atlas Profiles cover counties within this NCA:

  • 25: Norfolk

 

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Building Stones of England Database

The Building Stones of England Database was created by Historic England in conjunction with the British Geological Survey. It is a interactive map that allows users to explore building stones and their sources throughout England, as well as the bedrock and superficial geology. You can browse the geological map, as well as search for a building stone, stone source or structure, or search by postcode, address or place name.

Old brick buildings with straw roofs

Landform, geology and soils map for NCA78

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Key waterbodies and catchments section contains a map

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated. The maps contain live frequently updated datasets.

Major rivers/canals

The following major rivers/canals (by length) have been identified in this NCA (Natural England, data informing the 2014 National Character Area Profiles, 2010):

wdt_ID REF_CODE NAME_1 Name Length (km) SumOfShape_Length
11NORTH NORTHUMBERLAND COASTAL PLAINRiver Aln7.67,587.2
21NORTH NORTHUMBERLAND COASTAL PLAINRiver Coquet5.55,516.0
31NORTH NORTHUMBERLAND COASTAL PLAINWhiteadder Water2.92,904.9
410NORTH PENNINESBlack Burn11.911,853.4
510NORTH PENNINESCroglin Water10.010,042.3
610NORTH PENNINESCrowdundle Beck4.34,337.4
710NORTH PENNINESDevil's Water20.520,464.6
810NORTH PENNINESHarwood Beck9.79,740.2
910NORTH PENNINESRiver Allen4.94,889.0
1010NORTH PENNINESRiver Derwent15.315,268.4

Please note: other significant rivers (by volume) may also occur. Tidal stretches of rivers are not included, which may include some major rivers.

The general geology of gravels and other drift deposits overlying chalk results in the rivers flowing through the area deriving their water from both calcareous and more acid sources; however, generally the water is calcium-rich. The rivers have mostly slow to moderate flows because of the low lying topography.

The area is drained by the rivers Wensum and Bure which flow south-eastwards into Broadland and by two smaller rivers flowing northwards – the Glaven and Stiffkey.

The River Bure is one of Norfolk’s largest rivers. It is navigable through the neighbouring Broads NCA although not within this character area.

The River Glaven initially flows south-west from its source at Bodham before turning sharply at Hunworth to flow north into the neighbouring North Norfolk Coast NCA at Cley-next-the-Sea. The river valley is particularly scenic and in parts of the lower valley the river runs over chalk beds.

The River Stiffkey is also a chalk river flowing into the North Norfolk Coast NCA. The Tud is a tributary of the Wensum. It is fast flowing, crystal clear and is a rich aquatic habitat of lush weed beds full of life. Its source is in the Mid Norfolk NCA and it joins the Wensum on the western outskirts of Norwich at Hellesdon.

The Wensum is a chalk fed river designated as a SSSI and SAC due to its rich aquatic life. It is a tributary of the River Yare although it is the larger of these two rivers. Its source is in the North West Norfolk NCA and it also flows through the Mid Norfolk NCA before entering Central North Norfolk just east of the village of Lenwade. The Wensum becomes tidal and navigable by boat in Norwich where its course forms a broad arc.

Water quality

Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs) are areas designated as being at risk from agricultural nitrate pollution. These can impact surface water (waterbodies and waterways located above ground) and groundwater (water bodies and waterways located below ground).

Waterbodies such as lakes can also be designated as “eutrophic waters” if the enrichment of the waterbody by nitrate pollution causes accelerated growth of algae, impacting the quality of the water and the balance of organisms within it.

The following NVZs are located within the NCA (Environment Agency, Nitrate Vulnerable Zones Designations, 2021):

Water framework directive

River basin management plans cover river basin districts and describe the challenges that threaten the water environment and how these challenges can be managed and funded. The plans include the classification of water quality of surface waters and ground waters.

Draft River Basin Management Plan

The current state of water quality within the NCA can be viewed via the Draft River Basin Management Plan map.

A bridge over a body of water surrounded by trees

Natural Capital Atlas Profiles

The Natural Capital Atlas Profiles provide an “off the shelf” natural capital evidence base for each county or city region. This includes ecosystem services relating to waterbodies and catchments, such as water provision and water quality regulation. Clicking on the relevant County in the below map will also take you to that specific Natural Capital Atlas Profile.
 
The following Natural Capital Atlas Profiles cover counties within this NCA:

  • 25: Norfolk

 

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Green Infrastructure Interactive Map

Defra and Natural England’s Green Infrastructure (GI) interactive map can be used to understand access to existing green infrastructure within each NCA.
 

Graphical user interface, application, map

Catchment Based Approach Data Hub

The Catchment Based Approach Data Hub is a webmap displaying a variety of data layers suitable for supporting integrated  catchment management planning. These data layers cover an array of themes including opportunities, issues, characteristics, causes, actions and monitoring. These data layers can be use to help understand the state of waterbodies and associated habitats within the NCAs and the identified issues and opportunities within these.

A sunset over a body of water

Click on the Water Framework Directive layers on the below map to view the corresponding river names.

Key waterbodies and catchments map for NCA78

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Trees and woodlands section contains a map

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated. The maps contain live frequently updated datasets.

Total woodland cover

Ancient woodland is any area that has been wooded continuously since at least 1600 AD. National Forest Inventory (NFI) woodland includes all forests and woodlands (0.5 hectares and over). The total woodland cover within the NCA is as follows (Forestry Commission, National Forest Inventory, 2020; 2023; Natural England, Ancient Woodland, 2021; 2024; this does not consider Natural England’s ‘Ancient Woodland – Revised (England) – Completed Counties’ data as this is being updated in tranches and no full dataset is yet available):

Distribution and size of woodland and trees in the landscape

The area is relatively well-wooded in the East Anglian context, with a variety of woodland types scattered throughout the landscape; mixed deciduous or pasture woodlands (oak and beech) on the heavier soils and conifers on the lighter sands, especially to the north and west. Woods are variable in size but extensive with larger expanses occurring north of Norwich and along the Cromer Ridge. Elsewhere aggregations of woodland are often situated around river valley slopes, with poplar plantations on the valley floor, particularly along the rivers Bure and Wensum. Ancient woodland, which is managed as coppice with standards, is largely restricted to the vicinity of Swanton Novers and the adjacent boundary with Mid Norfolk, though there is also some former coppiced oak woodland close to Holt. These ancient woodlands have been supplemented by plantations of broadleaved trees and conifers and secondary woodland, particularly in the 19th and 20th centuries (North Norfolk Area Profile).

Woodland types

A statistical breakdown of the area and type of woodland found across the NCA is detailed below (Forestry Commission, National Forest Inventory, 2020; 2023):

Area and proportion of ancient woodland and planted ancient woodland sites (PAWS) within the NCA (Natural England, Ancient Woodland, 2021; 2024):

Natural Capital Atlas Profiles

The Natural Capital Atlas Profiles provide an “off the shelf” natural capital evidence base for each county or city region. This includes ecosystem services relating to trees and woodland, such as timber and plant-based energy provision, air pollution and climate regulation. Clicking on the relevant County in the below map will also take you to that specific Natural Capital Atlas Profile.
 
The following Natural Capital Atlas Profiles cover counties within this NCA:

  • 25: Norfolk

 

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Green Infrastructure Interactive Map

Defra and Natural England’s Green Infrastructure (GI) interactive map can be used to understand access to existing woodland access within each NCA.
 

Graphical user interface, application, map

Catchment Based Approach Data Hub

The Catchment Based Approach Data Hub is a webmap displaying a variety of data layers suitable for supporting integrated  catchment management planning. These data layers cover an array of themes including opportunities, issues, characteristics, causes, actions and monitoring. These can be use to help understand the state of waterbodies and associated habitats within the NCAs and the identified issues and opportunities within these, including woodland planting.

A sunset over a body of water

Trees and woodlands map for NCA78

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Boundary features and patterns

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated.

Boundary features

There is a mosaic of areas of mixed hedgerow with frequent hedgerow oaks and areas of poor or remnant hedgerow with no hedgerow trees that is dependent on different landownership and consequent farming practices. In the river valleys water meadows are divided by reed-filled dykes. Along much of the coast, boundary features include timber revetments with seawalls on short stretches. In a few places additional protection has included cliff drainage and stabilization schemes. Such coastal protection works lead to a degradation or loss of exposure in the cliff section. They also lead to the loss of a major sediment source for areas down drift in the sediment cell (Central North Norfolk Countryside Character Area description, Countryside Quality Counts, 2003).

Field patterns

Fields in general are variable in size and the 14th century small-scale and irregular enclosure has given way, in many areas, to a large, more regular pattern of 20th century rationalization. The river valleys which have not been planted with poplars display a wide, lush pastoral landscape with water meadows (Central North Norfolk Countryside Character Area description, Countryside Quality Counts, 2003).

Agriculture section contains a map

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated. The maps contain live frequently updated datasets.

The following tables provide the most recently available statistics from Defra on agriculture within the NCA.

Farm type

The following farm types are located within this NCA (Defra, Structure of the agricultural industry in England and the UK at June, 2025):

Farm size

The following table outlines the sizes of farms within the NCA (Defra, Structure of the agricultural industry in England and the UK at June, 2025):

Farm ownership

The following table outlines the ownership of farms within the NCA (Defra, Structure of the agricultural industry in England and the UK at June, 2025):

Land use

The following table outlines the types of agricultural land use within the NCA (Defra, Structure of the agricultural industry in England and the UK at June, 2025):

Livestock numbers

The following livestock are farmed within the NCA (Defra, Structure of the agricultural industry in England and the UK at June, 2025):

Farm labour

The following table outlines the types of farm labour within the NCA (Defra, Structure of the agricultural industry in England and the UK at June, 2025):

Please note: (i) Some of the Census data are estimated by Defra so may not present a precise assessment of agriculture within this area (ii) Data refers to commercial holdings only (iii) Data includes land outside of the NCA where it belongs to holdings whose centre point is recorded as being within the NCA.

NCA78 Farmsteads Character Statement

The Historic England Farmstead & Landscape Statement summarises evidence on farmsteads and buildings in their landscape and settlement context, as well as the historic character, significance and foresight issues for the NCA.

A lush green field with an old farm building

Natural Capital Atlas Profiles

The Natural Capital Atlas Profiles provide an “off the shelf” natural capital evidence base for each county or city region. This includes ecosystem services relating to agriculture, such as livestock, cultivated crops and plant-based energy provision. Clicking on the relevant County in the below map will also take you to that specific Natural Capital Atlas Profile.
 
The following Natural Capital Atlas Profiles cover counties within this NCA:

  • 25: Norfolk

 

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NCA78 Countryside Stewardship statement of priorities

Defra have produced Countryside Stewardship statements of priorities and associated maps for each NCA. These are designed for applicants for Countryside Stewardship funding to identify the priority features and issues being targeted in their NCA and help choose which options to include as part of an application.
 
Further information about Countryside Stewardship is provided by the Rural Payments Agency, Defra, Natural England and the Forestry Commission.

A herd of cattle grazing on a lush green field

Note that the below map only shows agri-environment scheme coverage, and not other schemes.

Agriculture map for NCA78

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Key habitats and species section contains a map

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated. The maps contain live frequently updated datasets.

Habitat distribution/coverage

The Holt-Cromer ridge contains several large and extensive blocks of heathland, some of which have developed secondary deciduous woodland and pasture woodlands mostly with oak but also two small areas with beech.

The largest heaths and most significant are at Holt Lowes, Sheringham and Beeston Regis Commons, Salthouse Heath and Kelling Heath with smaller areas at Spout Hills and West Runton Roman Camp. The area also contains numerous other small pockets of heathland within the extensive areas of conifer plantation. There are also a number of valley mire systems associated with small streams and springs issuing from the Holt-Cromer ridge. Those at Holt Lowes, Sheringham and Beeston Regis Common, Bryants Heath and Southrepps Common are mixed calcareous and acidic mires. Between the rivers Wensum and Bure important heaths and mires survive in the area north-west of Norwich, and within the city’s boundary at Mousehold Heath. These are a remnant of a once far more extensive area. The largest and most significant are Cawston Heath, Marsham Heath and Swannington Upgate Common. Significant areas of heathland also survive in the Horsford Woods – Felthorpe Woods complex associated with rides, clearings and remnant pastures.

Ancient woodland with a wide range of woodland stand types is largely restricted to the north-west of the area close to Holt. Pasture woodland appears to be concentrated along the Holt-Cromer ridge. A feature of most of these woodlands is the abundance of bluebells and the occurrence of lily-of-the- valley. The woodland butterflies – white admiral, purple hairstreak and speckled wood – are relatively common. The middle and lower reaches of the rivers have generally improved or semi-improved grassland with some wet woods and parkland. Semi-natural habitats are relatively rare but occur on the River Glaven with a number of tall fen communities. The Glaven is known to have significant populations of brook lamprey and supports a breeding brown trout population. Otters are also present.

Along the coast there are cliffs from Weybourne to Mundsley in the east. These soft cliffs have internationally important geological exposures and also a range of important soft cliff habitats, ranging from un-colonised mud flows through to relatively mature unimproved grassland and scrub communities. Flushes caused by springs issuing from the cliffs are a feature and support perched reed beds and bryophyte and rush communities. The very attractive red form of the early marsh orchid is a feature of these situations. The flushes are also of particular importance for breeding Diptera and a number of rare or notable species of soldier-flies.

Maritime cliff grassland is present along this section of the coast with the most significant sites at Beeston Cliffs, Overstrand, Sidestrand, Trimingham and Mundsley. The grasslands have some affinities with sand dune communities. Purple broomrape has its main centre of distribution in the British Isles in cliff-top grasslands. Other nationally scarce species include sand catchfly and bulbous meadow-grass. At the base of the cliffs on the shore line chalk platforms and associated flints represent one of the few areas of intertidal rock in East Anglia.

The presence of irregularly shaped flints (paramoudras) on the chalk platform considerably enhances the number of macro invertebrates that the shore is able to sustain (North Norfolk Natural Area Profile).

Key Habitats

The NCA contains the following areas of key main habitats, as mapped by the national Priority Habitat Inventory (Natural England, Priority Habitats Inventory, 2021; 2024; Natural England, Wood Pasture and Parkland, 2020). Note: lakes and ponds were not included in 2021 data:

MAGiC Interactive Mapping Tool

Maps showing locations of priority habitats and some key species can be found on Defra’s MAGiC Interactive Mapping Tool by selecting Habitats and Species/Habitats and Habitats and Species/Species, including priority species for Countryside Stewardship targeting.

Map

National Biodiversity Network Atlas

The National Biodiversity Network Atlas is an online tool that provides a platform to engage, educate and inform people about the natural world. This includes maps showing locations of S41 species.

A butterfly sitting on a flower.

Natural Capital Atlas Profiles

The Natural Capital Atlas Profiles provide an “off the shelf” natural capital evidence base for each county or city region. This includes ecosystem services relating to key habitats and species, such as biodiversity and pollination. Clicking on the relevant County in the below map will also take you to that specific Natural Capital Atlas Profile.
 
The following Natural Capital Atlas Profiles cover counties within this NCA:

  • 25: Norfolk

 

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Defining Favourable Conservation Status Reports

Favourable Conservation Status definitions describe an England scale ambition for habitats and species. They provide context for decision making and actions to achieve and sustain thriving wildlife for each habitat type. This can inform actions for each of the relevant habitats within the NCA.

Broadleaf woodland in autumn

Carbon Storage by Habitat Reports

Terrestrial and marine managers can mitigate climate change by adopting practices which promote carbon storage and reduce emissions while enhancing the biodiversity value of ecosystems. The Carbon Storage by Habitat report examines how different management options may impact on sequestration or loss of carbon by habitat, and can inform actions for each of the relevant habitats within the NCA.

Body of water on marsh landscape

National Biodiversity Climate Change Vulnerability Model Report

Natural England has developed a GIS model that provides an assessment of the vulnerability of priority habitats to climate change based on principles of adaptation for biodiversity. It identifies why areas are vulnerable and which possible interventions can have the biggest impact in increasing resilience to the changing climate. This will inform prioritisation of adaptation action and assist in the development of adaptation strategies for biodiversity within the NCA.

Houses on a white coastal cliff edge

Catchment Based Approach Data Hub

The Catchment Based Approach Data Hub is a webmap displaying a variety of data layers suitable for supporting integrated  catchment management planning. These data layers cover an array of themes including opportunities, issues, characteristics, causes, actions and monitoring. These data layers can be use to help understand the state of waterbodies and associated habitats within the NCAs and the identified issues and opportunities within these.

A sunset over a body of water

Key habitats and species map for NCA78

View Key habitats and species map for NCA78 full screen in a new tab
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Settlement and development patterns section contains a map

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated. The maps contain live frequently updated datasets.

Settlement patterns

The area has very few towns. The main town, Aylsham, forms an active centre with its own identity. Large villages also contain more facilities than usual because of their relative isolation. This nucleated pattern is seen most clearly north of the Wensum. There is a rich abundance of minor country houses between the major estates of Sheringham, Blickling and Felbrigg and the dispersed villages scattered among the dense network of minor roads. The coast became a fashionable resort area and Lutyens designed holiday homes at Overstrand and Sidestrand for London magnates. This part of the area now thrives through the retirement and holiday market. Closer to Norwich, especially along the A1067 and A47, urbanization creeps westwards, with a string of 19th and 20th century commuter villages (Central North Norfolk Countryside Character Area description, Countryside Quality Counts, 2003).

Main settlements

The main settlements within the Central North Norfolk NCA are; the city of Norwich (northern half) and the town of Alysham. The coastal towns of Sheringham and Cromer developed as holiday resorts in the early 19th century. The total estimated population for this NCA (derived from ONS 2001 census data) is: 216,087 (Central North Norfolk Countryside Character Area description, Countryside Quality Counts, 2003, Natural England, 2012).

Local vernacular and building materials

The city of Norwich contains a mix of medieval, Georgian and modern architecture styles. The red brick and frequently black-glazed pantiled farmhouse of the early 18th century is an inherent component of the Norfolk character which is expressed most clearly within this character area. There are also a large proportion of 17th century houses, with flint walls dressed with brick and steeply-pitched thatched or pantiled roofs, although the area generally has a small-scale 18th century character. There are some estate villages of unified style. The coast has a plethora of 20th century bungalows (Central North Norfolk Countryside Character Area description, Countryside Quality Counts, 2003).

NCA78 Farmsteads Character Statement

The Historic England Farmstead & Landscape Statement summarises evidence on farmsteads and buildings in their landscape and settlement context, as well as the historic character, significance and foresight issues for the NCA.

A lush green field with an old farm building

Building Stones of England Database

The Building Stones of England Database was created by Historic England in conjunction with the British Geological Survey. It is a interactive map that allows users to explore building stones and their sources throughout England, as well as the bedrock and superficial geology. You can browse the geological map, as well as search for a building stone, stone source or structure, or search by postcode, address or place name.

Old brick buildings with straw roofs

Settlement and development patterns map for NCA78

View Settlement and development patterns map for NCA78 full screen in a new tab
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Key historic sites and features section contains a map

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated. The maps contain live frequently updated datasets.

Origin of historic features

There are concentrations of prehistoric burial mounds near Sheringham which indicate early settlement by man. West Runton is famous for the discovery of an elephant (woolly mammoth) which Now found in exposed glacial deposits in 1990.

The morainic gravels associated with the Cromer ridge have left poor soils which were nonetheless intensively settled in the Anglo-Saxon period. This is denoted partly by the large number of ‘ingham’ place names. Much of the early medieval landscape of heaths and wood pasture Now enclosed between the 14th and 17th centuries, creating a pattern of small-scale irregular fields and a twisting road network. It appears to have been an area of mixed farming on relatively small landholdings which became fairly wealthy during the 17th century, as shown by the large number of flint and pantile farmhouses of the period. This Now followed in the 18th and 19th centuries by the establishment of a large number of medium-sized estates and the construction of correspondingly sized country houses.

The parkland landscape in many ways reflects the earlier medieval parks of the area. Today, many of them are again farmland with the vestiges of parks around the houses. Such estates frequently have their own church and village, as at Heydon, which lends a paternalistic, not to say feudal, character to the landscape. The great landscape designer Humphrey Repton is buried in Aylsham church yard and his legacy can be seen at Sheringham Park. There are extensive remains of the Second World War anti-invasion defences at Kelling, Weybourne Hope and Sheringham with pill boxes, gun emplacements and defensive ditches cut into the landscape (Countryside Quality Counts Draft Historic Profile, Countryside Character Area description).

Designated historic assets

The NCA includes the following designated historic assets (Historic England, National Heritage List for England, 2021; 2024):

Listed buildings

The NCA includes the following listed buildings (Historic England, National Heritage List for England, 2021; 2024):

Heritage at Risk Register

The NCA includes the following designated historic assets listed within the Heritage at Risk Register (Historic England, Heritage at Risk Register, 2021; 2023):


NCA78 Farmsteads Character Statement

The Historic England Farmstead & Landscape Statement summarises evidence on farmsteads and buildings in their landscape and settlement context, as well as the historic character, significance and foresight issues for the NCA.

A lush green field with an old farm building

Aerial Archaeology Mapping Explorer

The Aerial Archaeology Mapping Explorer is a tool that displays archaeology that has been identified, mapped and recorded using aerial photographs and other aerial sources across England, including within the NCA over time.

Archaeologists excavating a site near the coast.

Key historic sites and features map for NCA78

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Recreation and access section contains a map

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated. The maps contain live frequently updated datasets.

Public access

The following areas of public access for recreation are located within this NCA (Natural England, 2021; National Trust, 2021):


Please note: Public access areas may overlap.

The following linear routes or public access for recreation are located within this NCA (Natural England, 2021; Sustrans; 2021):

Green Infrastructure Interactive Map

Defra and Natural England’s Green Infrastructure (GI) interactive map can be used to understand access to existing public rights of way within each NCA.
 

Graphical user interface, application, map

Recreation and access map for NCA78

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Experiential qualities

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated.

Tranquillity

Based on the CPRE map of tranquillity (2006) it appears that the lowest scores for tranquillity are associated with the city of Norwich, the market town of Aylsham and the coastal towns of Sheringham and Cromer. Disturbance can also be seen to be associated with the main transport routes linking these centres; the A140, A148 and A47. The highest scores for tranquillity are within the agricultural land to the west of Aylsham and the A140.

A breakdown of tranquillity values for this NCA are detailed in the table below (CPRE, Tranquillity Map, 2006):

Dark skies

Light pollution is a generic term referring to artificial light that shines where it is neither wanted nor needed, and can impact on people’s experience of the countryside within the NCAs. CPRE host an interactive map, depicting the light pollution and dark skies within the NCA.

Dark Skies Interactive Map

CPRE commissioned LUC to create maps of Great Britain’s light pollution and dark skies. Using satellite data, the map shows the amount of light spilling up into the night sky. By turning on the National Character Areas layer on the map, the light pollution and dark skies within England’s NCAs can be viewed. By clicking on the individual NCA and selecting PDF Map/More information, more detailed mapping and information for this NCA can be viewed.

Intrusion

The 2007 Intrusion Map (CPRE) shows the extent to which rural landscapes are ‘intruded on’ from urban development, noise (primarily traffic noise), and other sources of visual and auditory intrusion. This shows that disturbance is associated with the ‘A’ roads that run through the area including the A140, A148 and A47. Intrusion also occurs in and around the city of Norwich and the towns of Aylsham, Holt, Sheringham and Cromer.

A breakdown of intrusion values for this NCA is detailed in the table below (CPRE, Intrusion Map, 2007):

Notable trends from the 1960s to 2007 are an increase in disturbed or intruded land by nearly 24 per cent which is matched by a reduction of around -27 per cent of undisturbed or un-intruded land over the same timescale.

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