LCA11A Quarley Hill Downs
 General
Description
Quarley Hill Downs is formed from two main areas linked in the middle. The
north of the area is dominated by arable farmland and the south (owned by
the MOD) is covered in grassland, scrub and woodland. There are a number
of wooded small scarps within this area, including at Shipton Plantation,
and at Cholderton Hill.
The area to the north starts by gently rising from the east from the elevated
adjacent chalk plateau of Thruxton and Danebury Chalk Downland LCA 10C.
At around, 125m the slopes become steeper with more pronounced dry valleys,
climaxing at the ridge at around 170m. This ridge then steeply falls away
to the west.
The landform of the area to the south is similar to the north but with less
of a pronounced ridge and with smaller hills. The vegetation structure forms
an irregular pattern of regenerating areas of rough grassland, scrub, small
woodland copses, which contrasts with the adjacent Open Chalklands. Towards
the southern boundary, there is a loose grid of newly planted woodland blocks.
Location
Quarley Hill Downs is located to the west of the Borough and covers an area
of low lying hills aligned in a north south direction, which includes Snoddington
Hill, Thruxton Hill, Quarley Hill, Boar Knoll and the Isle of Wight Hill.
Local Physical Influences
Geology and Soils: Upper Chalk.
Landform: Gently rising land, giving
rise to a series of distinctive and prominent small hills along a north-south
ridgeline.
Drainage: Well drained area, mostly lying outside the
River Test catchment area.
Local Biodiversity and Vegetation Pattern
This area is mostly pastoral farmland, with arable farming in the north
on the thicker soils on gentle slopes. There are many important patches
of unimproved calcareous grassland. These grasslands are typically a rich
mixture of grasses and herbs and are characteristic of a vegetation with
a long history of grazing. The grasslands are dominated by fine-leaved grasses
such as Sheep’s Fescue and Red Fescue with Velvet Bent, and there
is a variety of flowering plants that comprise a substantial proportion
of the herbage, these include Salad Burnett, Selfheal, Birds-Foot Trefoil,
Harebells, Lady’s Bedstraw, Devils-Bit Scabious. Less frequent plants
include Fairy Flax, Gentian, Eyebright, Kidney Vetch and Stemless Thistle.
Typical orchids include Bee Orchid, Common Spotted Orchid, Pyramidal Orchid,
Early Purple Orchid, Fragrant Orchid, Green-Winged Orchid, Burnt Orchid,
Frog Orchid. Chalk grasslands are noted for their rich floristic diversity
and also for their invertebrate populations.
There are occasional remnants of ancient semi-natural woodland, mostly small
copses and shelter belts. Most of the ancient semi-natural woodland is dominated
by Ash with some Oak where the presence of Oak indicates more acidic pockets
of soil. Ash is the most common tree species with Field Maple and Yew. Other
trees found in low frequencies include Lime, Hornbeam and Elm. The shrub
layers are generally composed of Hazel, Elder, Blackthorn, Dogwood, Spindle
and Privet. Typically Hazel was planted as a coppice crop. Ground flora
includes Dogs Mercury, with Bluebells, Enchanters Nightshade, Arum Lily,
Early Dog Violet, Yellow Archangel, Sanicle, Moschatel, and Pignut. Wetter
areas often have dense covers of Ransoms/Wild Garlic. Typical orchids include
Early Purple Orchid, Twayblade Birds-Nest Orchid.
Local Historical Influences
Four different historic landscape types exist in this long narrow chalk
upland area, which is found on the western side of the Test Valley. The
majority of the area is downland with areas of 19th century plantations
running through. Much of the area is still unimproved and identified as
grazing land, particularly used for sheep pasture as unsuitable for growing
crops.
In the northern section of this character type there is a large expanse
of regular “ladder” fields, along the upper Test basin. As expected,
these fields are associated with an area of Parliamentary enclosure and
links the valley floor enclosure to downland on higher ground. It is highly
likely that this area resulted from informal enclosure of the downland in
post medieval times and is not directly associated with formal enclosure.
This landscape character type is historically significant with numerous
features of archaeological importance including surviving Bronze Age burial
mounds occupying the length of the downland ridge. Also surviving is a Neolithic
long barrow and the site of a flint mine south of Martin’s Clump,
an Iron Age hill fort on Quarley Hill and numerous undated earthworks (either
field systems or a settlement) to the north of Martin’s Clump. Finally
the Portway Roman Road extends a short distance across this character area
to the south of Quarley Hill and is fossilized within the minor road north
of Grateley.
As mentioned above, Regular “Ladder” Fields are present in this
area. This means that long and regular natured trackways or footpaths (which
make up the “Ladder” effect) can be seen crossing the area.
Throughout the downland areas, winding drove/track ways are visible. These
would have aided the movement of sheep across the pasture area.
A band of 19th century plantations extend along the border between this
area and the downland ridge to the east. These discrete stands of purposely
planted trees most probably resulted from the desire to create a view for
the two parks close by to the west; Cholderton Park and Snoddington Manor.
Also within this area along Thruxton Hill is an extensive and undated linear
earthwork.
Settlement Pattern
Quarley Hill Downs has no associated formal settlements. Isolated farmsteads
are scattered throughout the landscape of this LCA with considerable distance
between any two farming complexes. No farms occupy the open downland.
Farmsteads associated with parliamentary fields systems in this LCA tend
to be located on the outskirts of field groups, usually associated with
formal and surveyed roads or lanes. Where regular ladder fields survive
the farmsteads appear to have originally been located within the center
of field groups presumably to maximize access to the surrounding field systems
(as at Racedown Farm). With the encroachment of 19th century agricultural
practices upon the landscape such farmsteads have become partially or completely
disassociated from what would have been their contemporary field systems.
Roads cross this area predominantly on an east west alignment, through the
dry river valleys. Additionally the railway also aligns in an east west
direction. No roads cross the area of land owned by the MOD.
Features of Built Form
Traditional building styles are mainly brick walls and clay tiled roofs.
Community Perceptions
The dominant features of this area are seen to be the downland hills, agriculture
and army bases.
Local residents perceived a clear distinction between the Quarley Hills
and the area around Shipton Bellinger to the west. Access to the area for
walks is considered poor.
Remoteness and Tranquillity
Parts of this LCA are remote, especially where the land is inaccessible
due to the steep slopes, for example to the north around Shipton Wood and
Cholderton Hill. These areas will therefore offer a high level of tranquillity.
The area owned by the MOD in the south, and the extreme north, have a remote
quality, with high levels of tranquillity except when there are exercises
taking place. However this area is not accessible to the public.
Key Characteristics
- Area has a remote and tranquil character
- Range of small hills, becoming more pronounced in the north
- Mainly pasture with open arable farmland to the north on gentler
slopes
- Large area of grassland, scrub and woodland in the south owned by
the MOD
- Linear arrangement of woodlands on the western slopes and wooded
scarps
- Band of largely ornamental 19th century plantations run along the
ridgeline
- Significant patches of unimproved calcareous grassland characteristic
of long history of grazing
- Areas of regular ladder fields (aligned east-west), closely associated
with the surrounding parliamentary field systems extend up onto the downland,
representing later post-medieval rationalization of the more marginal
soils of the downs
- Historically significant area due to numerous features of archaeological
importance
- Band of 19th century plantations forming a part of parkland design
for the adjacent Cholderton Park and Snoddington Manor
- Absence of settlements and a very sparse scatter of farmsteads
- Few roads travel along the top of the downland.
Local Natural and Cultural Landscape Issues
- Future use of decommissioned military bases
- Increase in MOD activity or change of use as a result of the Strategic
Defence Review
- Extension of modern settlement south from Tidworth onto the downland
threatening historic monuments and their landscape context.
Designations
Nature conservation
SAC / SPA
SSSI
- Porton Down (<50% of SSSI) - Unimproved calcareous grassland,
broadleaved woodland and dense scrub
- Quarley Hill Fort - Unimproved calcareous grassland
SINC
12 SINCs, mostly agriculturally unimproved grassland,
with sites which support notable species and some semi-natural
woodland
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