National Character Area 48 - Trent and Belvoir Vales : Key Facts & Data

National Character Area 48

Trent and Belvoir Vales - 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.

There are no national landscape designations within this NCA (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):

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:

  • 22: Leicestershire and Rutland
  • 23: Lincolnshire
  • 30: Nottinghamshire

 

Background pattern

Landscape and nature conservation designations map for NCA48

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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

Elevation ranges from close to sea level in the lowest points of the Trent flood plain where the river is tidal to 148m above sea level where the land rises up to the adjoining Kesteven Uplands in the south-east. Elevation is generally higher west of the Trent and towards the boundaries of the NCA. The average elevation of the landscape is 30m above sea level (Natural England, 2010).

Landform and process

Overall the Trent and Belvoir Vales have a gently undulating low-lying landform with smooth low ridges dividing shallow, broad river valleys (vales) and flood plains. In general the landform has a north south pattern following the orientation of the underlying geology and the course of the River Trent. In contrast, land west of the Trent is generally more steeply undulating where the drainage has formed several small well defined valleys with a west-east orientation (Trent and Belvoir Vales Countryside Character Area Description).

Bedrock geology

In the west the NCA is dominated by Triassic rocks about 248 to 206 million years old which dip gently to the east. The Sherwood Sandstone Group fringes the western edge while east of this lies the Mercia Mudstone Group, deposited in an arid desert environment and which includes dune, lake bed and evaporite sediments. Lower Jurassic Lias Group rocks about 206 to 165 million years old dominate the east side of the NCA; sea level rise leading to the deposition of a mix of marine mudstone, siltstone, limestone and sandstones in a warm tropical shallow sea which covered most of central England at the time. Within the NCA the Triassic Mercia Mudstones are generally more resistant to weathering than the Jurassic Lias Group resulting in generally higher ground in the west. The influence of bedrock geology on the visible landscape east of the Trent is limited due to extensive superficial deposits; however, thin beds of harder rocks within the Lias Group, such as Marlstone, in places have slowed the weathering of underlying mudstones resulting in escarpments such as above the Vale of Belvoir (Trent and Belvoir Vales Countryside Character Area Description).

Superficial deposits

Along the Trent corridor and across the east, the NCA is dominated by sediments associated with the last glaciation – the Devensian – which ended around 11,000 years ago. The tundra-like environment and eventual ice melt led to extensive sand and gravel river terrace sedimentation. The substantial area of sand and gravel deposits found west of Lincoln give an indication of the size of the ancestor of the Trent which Now unable to drain north and instead eroded a route east through the bordering limestone ridge of the Lincolnshire Edge, today known as the Lincoln Gap (Trent and Belvoir Vales Countryside Character Area Description).

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

There are 21 Local Geological Sites within the NCA (Natural England, 2011).

Soils and Agriculture Classification

The Mercia Mudstones give rise to slightly acid loamy and clayey soils with impeded drainage covering 31 per cent of the area. The Lias Group mudstones give rise to slowly permeable base-rich loamy and clayey soils covering 25 per cent of the area. West of Lincoln extensive superficial deposits have given rise to much sandier soils of low natural fertility classified as naturally wet very acid sandy and loamy soils. These cover 13 per cent of the area. Beside the rivers especially along the Trent and in the River Devon catchment there are generally loamy and clayey flood plain soils with naturally high groundwater, which covers 13 per cent of the area. Covering 9 per cent of the area, and focussed on the Vale of Belvoir, are lime-rich loamy and clayey soils with impeded drainage.

Most land within the area is of classified as Grade 3 meaning it is good to moderate quality agricultural land (Trent and Belvoir Vales Countryside Character Area Description, 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:

  • 22: Leicestershire and Rutland
  • 23: Lincolnshire
  • 30: Nottinghamshire

 

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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 NCA48

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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 drainage generally has a north south orientation and is split between the catchment of the River Trent and that of the River Witham.

The dominant river of the area is the River Trent. It is in its mature stage as it flows northwards through the NCA from Nottingham to Gainsborough, meandering slowly but powerfully across its flood plain. At Newark the Trent is joined by the River Devon which drains the Vale of Belvoir. Many small tributaries drain east from the higher ground of the Mercia Mudstones to join the eastern side of the Trent throughout its course.

Subtle undulations in the landform mean the eastern side of the NCA lies within the River Witham’s catchment. The Witham rises in the adjoining Kestevan Uplands, flows north through Grantham and then on towards Lincoln where it is joined by its tributary the Brant and then by the River Till at Lincoln to then flow east through the Lincoln Gap to eventually drain into The Nowh beyond Boston.

The NCA also features three canals: the 18 km long Fossdyke Navigation which links the Trent and Witham rivers, The Grantham Canal and The Chesterfield Canal. The disused Grantham Canal linked the Trent at Nottingham to Grantham and 45 km lies within the south edge of the area. The Chesterfield Canal links to the Trent and a small part of it skirts in and out of the north-west edge of the NCA (Natural England, 2010).

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:

  • 22: Leicestershire and Rutland
  • 23: Lincolnshire
  • 30: Nottinghamshire

 

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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 NCA48

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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

There are typically low levels of woodland cover and very low levels of surviving ancient woodland in this NCA, due to the longstanding agricultural use of this land. Wet woodland is also now scarce in the area. Willow holts used to be a feature of the area but the only remaining one is at Farndon nature reserve. The area between Nottingham and Southwell, where small streams have created steep valleys known locally as ‘the dumbles’, contains small- to medium-sized broadleaved woodland of oak and ash, found in long narrow strips along the river banks. Large plantations of conifers and blocks of deciduous woodland occur on the broad ridge west of Lincoln. Moderately sized game coverts, mixed plantations and shelter belts are dotted through the agricultural uses. While not common, hedgerow trees, notably oak and ash add to the overall treed character of the landscape. Areas close to settlements or on former gravel extraction sites are notable for a higher level of woodland cover (Trent Valley and Rises Natural Area Profile, Trent and Belvoir Vales Countryside Character Area Description).

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:

  • 22: Leicestershire and Rutland
  • 23: Lincolnshire
  • 30: Nottinghamshire

 

Background pattern

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 NCA48

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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

Boundaries are almost exclusively hedgerows, predominantly of hawthorn, although some species-rich hedgerows are found in places. Throughout, hedgerow trees are few and limited to oak with some ash and with willow along watercourses. In the sandy areas west of Lincoln, birch and pine occur in the hedgerows and along roadsides together with gorse and bracken. Towards the north-east, the landscape becomes more fen-like and hedgerows are fewer, with the fields divided by drainage dykes and drains. Hedgerows, which were previously often gappy or excessively trimmed are now slowly becoming taller and wider, benefiting wildlife and landscape character in response to a different management approach though agricultural stewardship schemes (Trent and Belvoir Vales Countryside Character Area Description, Countryside Quality Counts, 2003).

Field patterns

The open field systems which dominated the area until the 18th century have left numerous traces in the landscape. Remnant ridge and furrow in the vales and elsewhere reflect the various stages at which cultivation succumbed to pasture from the later medieval period to late 18th century. The greatest example is Laxton – a unique working open field landscape, recognisably still as it Now when mapped in 1635 and still maintained by the traditional Court Leet. Elsewhere the traces are less complete and reflect the persistence of earlier demarcations in later boundary systems. Patterns of enclosure adopting the curvilinear characteristics of open field furlongs are widespread across the Vale and farmlands, and particularly concentrated along the washlands north of the A57. Remnant cultivation patterns (ridge and furrow) under grassland are important indications of former open fields. The piecemeal semi-regular enclosures of the 16th, 17th and early 18th centuries are widespread and highly varied in composition, with the greatest survivals in the south Nottinghamshire farmlands, and Vale of Belvoir, where their antiquity is reflected in the maturity of the wooded hedgerows. Broad geometric patterns of enclosure, both private and parliamentary, dating from the late 18th and early 19th centuries, are found mainly on the sandlands and the mid Nottinghamshire farmlands. The thorn hedgerows of this period, and the dispersed pattern of farm buildings related to the late enclosures, have been significantly altered by arable intensification and farm expansion in the late 20th century (Trent and Belvoir Vales 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.

NCA48 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:

  • 22: Leicestershire and Rutland
  • 23: Lincolnshire
  • 30: Nottinghamshire

 

Background pattern

NCA48 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 NCA48

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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

Farming is by far the principal land use in the area and while its value to wildlife is limited farmland contains features such as hedgerows, field margins, ponds, ‘unimproved’ grassland, and copses which provide habitat for species such as farmland birds.

The rivers, streams and associated habitats are a significant feature of the NCA. Important species include water vole, spined loach, white-clawed crayfish, and otter.

There are numerous gravel pits along the River Trent and its main tributaries, as well as between Newark and Lincoln on the prehistoric route of the Trent. Some have been restored to provide habitat for breeding and wintering birds. This includes Langford Lowfields near Collingham – a major RSPB habitat creation project on a working gravel extraction site where reedbed has been planted to attract bitterns to breed.

Flood plain grazing marsh is the most extensive semi-natural habitat of the NCA and is focussed along the Trent, for example at Sutton on Trent.

The small amount of lowland meadow in the area is mainly focused on land west of the Trent, for example near Laxton. In addition some fragments of lowland dry acid grassland and lowland heathland are found on the sandy soils west of Lincoln. There are also a small number of lowland calcareous grassland sites such as Muston Meadows NNR and on the disused railway east of Torksey. Ancient woodland and ancient re-planted woodland provides the next largest semi-natural habitat left in the NCA. These woodlands tend to be focussed within the rolling ‘dumbles’ landscape west of the Trent. There are some sizeable tracts of ancient re-planted woodland between Newark and Lincoln, such as Stapleford Wood, that are now coniferous or mixed plantations but which could have their wildlife value enhanced.

While woodland cover is very limited, hedgerows provide an important substitute woodland and woodland edge habitat for many species as well as being significant linear features in the landscape. The NCA still has a scattering of traditional orchards which tend to be concentrated west of the Trent and with much fewer east of the river (Trent Valley and Rises Natural Area Profile, Natural England, 2011).

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:

  • 22: Leicestershire and Rutland
  • 23: Lincolnshire
  • 30: Nottinghamshire

 

Background pattern

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 NCA48

View Key habitats and species map for NCA48 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 settlement pattern is typical of the Midlands with villages of medieval origin, interspersed with more recent farmsteads in open countryside. Settlements are scattered, compact villages linked by a network of small, quiet country lanes. These contrast with the busy market towns of Lincoln, Southwell, Grantham, Newark and Gainsborough, and the major roads that traverse the area, notably the A1 and the A46. In the east, villages of mostly red brick and pantile roofs tend to lie along the escarpment between Langer and Stainton. In the south, Nottingham exerts a strong influence on the settlement pattern, with urban fringe effects exacerbated by development spreading from outlying commuter settlements such as Woodborough and Burton Joyce (Trent and Belvoir Vales Countryside Character Area Description, Countryside Quality Counts, 2003).

Main settlements

The main towns and cities within the NCA are: Newark-on-Trent, Nottingham, Lincoln, Gainsborough and Grantham. The total estimated population for this NCA (derived from ONS 2001 Census data) is: 458,779 (Trent and Belvoir Vales Countryside Character Area Description, Countryside Quality Counts, 2003, Natural England, 2012).

Local vernacular and building materials

Red clay brick and pantiles became characteristic materials across rural areas of the NCA following the rebuilding of many villages in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Many older timber framed cottages were encased in these more durable materials or demolished. The historic cores of villages, many of which were established during the Early Medieval period, can be identified by the survival of old brick and pantile buildings. This vernacular style is strongly present in surviving traditional farm buildings in particular, such as at Laxton.

The rocks of the Jurassic Lias series have provided stone building material for villages in places such as the south-east of the area. Blue Lias stone features in medieval church walling, dwellings barns and other walling. Marlstone ‘Ironstone’ outcrops north and west of Grantham where it features especially in churches. Sherwood Sandstone and Lincolnshire Limestone from adjoining areas also feature as building materials (Trent and Belvoir Vales Countryside Character Area Description, British Geological Survey/English Heritage Strategic Stone Study, Countryside Quality Counts, 2003).

NCA48 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 NCA48

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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

A number of historical routes run through the area including the Roman road, Fosse Way, and the Great North Road, indicating that these gentle and low-lying areas provided convenient routes through the hills and wetlands. They meet at Newark which has long been a strategic river crossing. Place name evidence suggests settlement by both Saxon and Norse communities. The pattern of existing villages across the NCA seems relatively unchanged since Domesday (1086). Remaining ridges and furrows of the open fields are preserved beneath areas of pasture, although the resource is declining in both quality and quantity. At Laxton an almost complete picture of the medieval landscape survives, with the castle, manorial earthworks, fishponds, open strip fields and riverside meadows. Earth works from the civil war can still be seen around Newark (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):


NCA48 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 NCA48

View Key historic sites and features map for NCA48 full screen in a new tab
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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 NCA48

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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) there are some large patches of rural landscape with high tranquillity ratings in this NCA. The infrastructure corridors introduce disturbance and lower the scores across the area and the towns and cities have low tranquillity ratings.

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 the amount of disturbed land has almost doubled since the 1960s. Consequently, there has been a reduction in the amount of undisturbed land, although compared to some neighbouring NCAs, the total amount of undisturbed land remains relatively high.

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 the great increase in the area experiencing disturbance, by over a third, and the doubling of the urban area. The M5 motorway Now constructed through this area in the period up to 1977.

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