LCA6D Harewood Forest Wooded Downs

General Description

Most of Harewood Forest Wooded Downs is covered by Harewood Forest, the largest tract of woodland within Hampshire outside the New Forest. In addition the areas outside the woodland have a strong hedgerow and tree structure, which gives LCA 6D an enclosed character.

Location

The northern boundary of this LCA follows the north western edge of Harwood Forest. The southern boundary abuts the Upper Test Valley Floor LCA 5C, which runs along Longparish Road.

Local Physical Influences

Geology and Soils: The underlying geology is formed of Upper Chalk, overlain with Clay with Flints and Gravels, with extensive Valley Gravels leading up from the River Test valley floor.

Landform: A gently rolling landform falling in height from 110m along the northern edge to around 50m along the southern edge. A landscape of dry valleys which predominantly align in a south easterly direction

Drainage: The area drains to the River Test and has an absence of streams and waterbodies.

Local Biodiversity and Vegetation Pattern

This area is dominated by Harewood Forest with only a few open arable patches. The hedgerow structure is more in the form of shelterbelts and spinneys. Frequent tree species are Ash, Field Maple and Yew and other trees found in lower frequencies include Lime, Hornbeam and Elm with occasional Oak. 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

Harewood Forest Wooded Downs is dominated by the Harewood Forest which is comprised of several elements all of which date to a pre-1810 forested environment and include wooded pasture, other pre-1810 woodland and replanted pre-1810 woodland. Harewood Forest then may represent a reasonably intact medieval forest which has subsequently undergone several replanting episodes possibly to replace episodes of assarting.

Several areas of assarting survive along the north eastern edge of Harewood Forest. Within the open areas surrounding the southern and eastern boundaries of the forest what must have been initially an assarted landscape has been replaced by parliamentary field systems.

The south eastern boundary of LCA 6D borders the extended settlement of Longparish. This border between the district boundary to the north east and Middleton Park to the south west retains several regular fields with wavy boundaries. The creation of such field systems normally date from between the later medieval period and the 17th/18th century and represent informal enclosure undertaken before the formal surveying process associated with parliamentary enclosure during the 19th century.

Settlement Pattern

No formal settlements are located within this character area. Several farmsteads occupy the outskirts of Harewood Forest. The surrounding 19th century parliamentary enclosure contains well-dispersed farms which occupy large territories.

The designed parkland of Middleton House is sited on the valley side to the River Test, bringing contrast to the adjacent large arable fields.

Features of Built Form

Traditional building styles are brick walls with clay tile roofs.

Community Perceptions

The village of Wherwell, a small part of which lies within Harewood Forest Wooded Downs, is a popular attraction and is considered particularly scenic.Harewood Forest itself is particularly valued but comments were made that it was not as accessible as many would like.

The Test Way, which passes through the area, is not perceived as providing access to the river which is seen as for a privileged few.

Remoteness and Tranquillity

The A303 dual carriageway causes considerable localized intrusion upon the landscape, but generally the road network throughout the area is sparse, with very much of the area relatively inaccessible, creating a sense of remoteness, isolation and tranquillity.

Key Characteristics

Dry valleys of mixed chalk and flint aligning towards the Test Valley

Mainly covered with woodland, especially plantation

Large arable fields enclosed by woodland or hedgerows mainly in the form shelter belts and spinneys

Sparsely settled landscape

Strong feeling of enclosure with high levels of tranquility in areas away from the A303

Good access with Public Rights of Way, including the Test Way

The character area is dominated by a large expanse of pre-1810 woodland which probably in places dates back to medieval period

Limited assarting has taken place principally focused around the valley slopes above Longparish

Roman Road thought to extend through Harewood Forest.

Local Natural and Cultural Landscape Issues

Ongoing woodland management within Harewood Forest may impact upon surviving earthwork features

Demand for greater access to the woodland for quiet recreation.

Designations

Historic

Middleton Park: Early 19th century garden

Grade II Listed Building

Nature Conservation

SSSI

River Test (<1% of SSSI) - Running water, marginal vegetation and broadleaved woodland

SINC

15 SINCs, mostly ancient semi-natural woodland and agriculturally unimproved grassland with some sites that support significant species

Volume 2: LCA6D Strategies and Guidelines