National Character Area 9 - Eden Valley : Key Characteristics

An undulating valley landscape of Permo-Triassic sandstones, mudstones and shales covered by a thick layer of glacial till, bordered by and contrasting sharply with surrounding uplands: the prominent Pennine escarpment rises to the east; to the west are the fells of the Lake District and to the south, the Orton Fells.

Distinctive features of glacial deposition including eskers, deltas and meltwater channels, drumlins and kettle holes, the last now forming a series of small basin mires of high ecological importance.

The fast-flowing River Eden cuts south–north, joined by tributary rivers and gills; north of Penrith, separating the Eden from its tributary the Petteril, lies a range of prominent red sandstone hills, through which the Eden has in places eroded distinctive gorges.

Managed estate and farm woodlands characterise the valley floor, with numerous shelterbelts, copses and mature hedgerow trees giving a wellwooded character.

Rich, fertile soils in the valley support mixed agriculture including arable cultivation. The poorer soils of the sandstone ridge and the foothills of the Pennine escarpment give rise to rough grassland, heath and plantations.

Medium to large rectilinear fields are enclosed by mature hedgerows and hedgerow trees, walls, or, more commonly to the east, wire fences and thin and relict hedges. Limestone walls are a feature of the Pennines and Orton fringes, while red sandstone walls are a feature of the Penrith Sandstone Ridge.

The River Eden and its tributaries support internationally important aquatic habitats and species communities, and important fisheries. Semi-natural native woodlands, including oak/ash/birch hangers and wet woodland,line the river valleys forming good woodland habitat networks. Coastal and flood plain grazing marsh are associated with the river valleys – wetland habitats supporting important numbers of breeding and wintering waders and wildfowl.

The higher ground supports patches of heath forming the core of a heathland network, and small but important areas of lowland calcareous grassland, upland hay meadow and lowland meadow, including important species-rich roadside verges on the Orton fringes from Penrith to Kirkby Stephen.

Visible archaeological or historic legacy: prehistoric stone circles, Roman forts, medieval castles and parkland are important features of the historic environment.

Stone buildings reflect the underlying geology across the NCA: red sandstone is the predominant building material, for example in the area around Penrith, a unifying feature across much of the NCA, used in buildings, walls and gateposts; limestone is used in the east on the Pennine foothills and in Appleby-in-Westmorland near to the Orton Fells.

Nucleated and linear stone-built villages are often planned around greens. Outside these villages, settlement is characterised by scattered hamlets and farms. The towns, Penrith and Appleby-in-Westmorland are the area’s traditional market centres.

Intricate network of narrow minor roads, with tall hedgerows and walls.

Important transport corridor in predominantly upland region: Settle– Carlisle railway line, West Coast Main Line railway, and the M6 motorway and A66 trunk road.