National Character Area 144

Quantock Hills - 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.

Nearly all of the NCA, 96 per cent, is within the Quantock Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) (Natural England, 2011).

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):



Landscape and nature conservation designations map for NCA144

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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 Quantocks rise to a maximum height of 381m from a minimum of 62m. The mean elevation is 210m (Natural England, 2010).

Landform and process

The Quantock valleys form a distinctive pattern. On the steep, west-facing scarp slope they are short, steep and wooded with small villages and hamlets on the spring lines at the slope foot. To the east and south there are much more gentle valleys, commonly with plantations, ending in the larger villages and parklands at the end of the Vale of Taunton. Around the edges of the Quantock Hills there is a transition to a gentler lowland landscape (Exmoor and the Quantock Hills Natural Area Profile, Quantock Hills Countryside Character Area description).

Bedrock geology

The Quantocks are formed from thick sequences of slates and sandstones of Devonian age that were deposited by large deltas that built out into a shallow sea. They are surrounded by Triassic mudstones and sandstones which represent the deposits of large river systems that crossed a desert plain. The sandstones underlying the north of the hills are Trentishoe and Hangman Sandstones, forming the highest ground of the hills. The south is underlain by Leighland Slates (with thin limestones) and Morte Slates. These rocks are bordered to the south and east by a belt of red Triassic sandstones and elsewhere by mudstones and halites from the same period. The western margin of the Quantocks is sharply defined by the major Cothelstone Fault which is part of a group of faults which display evidence of a complex history involving Variscan and later movement (Exmoor and the Quantock Hills Natural Area Profile, Quantock Hills Countryside Character Area description, British Geological Survey maps).

Superficial deposits

There are minor deposits of alluvium along watercourses. Unlike much of the rest of Britain, Somerset did not experience the full effects of the repeated advances of ice sheets, as the southward movement of the most recent ice sheets did not extend into the county. During these glacial periods it is likely that much of the county resembled the tundra of today’s arctic provinces (Exmoor and the Quantock Hills Natural Area Profile, Quantock Hills Countryside Character Area description, British Geological Survey maps).

Soils and Agriculture Classification

The Quantock soils are mainly brown earths and many of these soils have been completely or partially podsolised (Exmoor and the Quantock Hills Natural Area Profile).

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):


Landform, geology and soils map for NCA144

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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.

Along the steeper western scarp, streams have cut down to form deep, incised combes that are thickly wooded. In contrast, to the east the land falls as a more gentle dip slope with long, broad valleys through which streams flow into the Vale of Taunton.

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.



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

Key waterbodies and catchments map for NCA144

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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 NCA contains 2,346ha of woodland (31 per cent of the total area), of which 1,039ha is ancient woodland (Natural England, 2010; Forestry Commission, 2011).

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):


Trees and woodlands map for NCA144

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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

Beech hedgebanks bound the rectangular fields around the edge of the open plateau and on the lower agricultural land in the south. Mixed hedgerows are used elsewhere and stone-faced banks or earth banks are used within the combes. Many hedgerows were planted with beech and where these have been left to grow up there are now prominent lines of trees (Quantock Hills Countryside Character Area description, Countryside Quality Counts, 2003).

Field patterns

Pastures and arable fields are divided into a patchwork of irregular shapes by a network of hedgerows dotted with trees (Quantock Hills 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.



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

Agriculture map for NCA144

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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

Heath characterises the higher hills and ridges of much of the western, central and northern parts of the area. The higher hills and ridges are covered by tracts of upland heath, changing in floristic character and content to form lowland heath in the north as the hills reduce in height. The transition between upland and lowland heath occurs repeatedly along the crest of the scarp slope as the high ridge undulates. To the east, much of the dip slope, and particularly the valleys and combes are cloaked in woodland; upland oak woods, lowland beech and yew woods, and lowland mixed woods. Lowland mixed woods are also found on more gentle slopes and valleys to the south of the area (Exmoor & Quantock Hills 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:






Key habitats and species map for NCA144

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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

Settlement is sparse, consisting of isolated farms, hamlets or small villages located along the spring line or tucked into the narrow combes and valleys. The pre-enclosure settlement pattern below the heathland can still be seen today. Scarp-foot villages lie along the western edge and there is scattered settlement on the gentler eastern slopes. Larger villages like Nether Stowey lie at the junction with the Vale of Taunton (Quantock Hills Countryside Character Area description; Countryside Quality Counts, 2003).

Main settlements

There are no main settlements in the area. West Quantoxhead to the north and Kingston St Mary in the south are the largest villages (Quantock Hills Countryside Character Area description, Countryside Quality Counts, 2003).

Local vernacular and building materials

Many farmsteads are built of local slate and sandstone rubble; the Triassic red sandstone of the Quantock Hills is widely used in the area. The design of the church towers is notable; ambitious, prominent and decorated towers. Larger manor houses and mansions, many of Tudor or 18th century origin, lay around the fringes of the area with estate lands and estate cottages a component of the landscape running up to the high ridge. Notable houses and estates include Crowcombe Court, Cothelstone Manor and Tetton to the west; St Audries and East Quantoxhead (both outside of the area, but closely associated with it) to the north; Hestercombe and Fyne Court to the south; and Doddington, Enmore Castle and Halswell to the east. These larger buildings also make use of the Triassic red sandstone, although red brick is also used in some of the larger country houses and estate buildings that are scattered about the Quantock landscape (Quantock Hills Countryside Character Area description; Countryside Quality Counts (2003)

Settlement and development patterns map for NCA144

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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

The landscape of the Quantock Hills has been shaped by human influences since the Bronze Age when numerous small round burial mounds, which can still be seen throughout the hills, were constructed. The name of the hills is thought to be derived from the Celtic word Cantuc, meaning rim or circle and relating to the curved line of the hills above the surrounding lowlands. Although there is evidence of Mesolithic and Neolithic occupation around the edges of the area, the standing stones, stone circles and barrows of the Bronze Age are by far the most prominent survivors from the prehistoric landscape. The Quantock Hills were never densely wooded, but substantial parklands were developed, many of which were the basis of 18th and 19th century landscaped parks. Settlements were probably more frequent than they are today and deserted sites can still be seen around the edges of the area. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, small trials for copper mining developed in the Quantock Hills. In the 1920s, the planting of large conifer plantations on the Quantock dip slopes brought further change (Draft Historic Profile, Countryside Quality Counts, 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):



Key historic sites and features map for NCA144

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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):

Recreation and access map for NCA144

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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) the Quantock Hills are relatively and universally tranquil. The area is least tranquil at its edges where it is close to larger roads and more settlement.

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.

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 the Quantock Hills continue not to suffer a great deal of intrusion. A breakdown of intrusion values for this NCA is detailed in the table below.

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 a considerable increase in the area of intruded or disturbed land by 18 per cent.