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The Vale of Taunton and Quantock Fringes form a natural region in the southwest of England in the county of
Somerset Somerset ( , ; Archaism, archaically Somersetshire , , ) is a Ceremonial counties of England, county in South West England which borders Gloucestershire and Bristol to the north, Wiltshire to the east, Dorset to the south-east and Devon to the so ...
.
Natural England Natural England is a non-departmental public body in the United Kingdom sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. It is responsible for ensuring that England's natural environment, including its land, flora and fauna ...
have designated the Vale of Taunton and Quantock Fringes as National Character Area 146.


Extent

The region covers and entirely surrounds the northwest–southeast oriented line of the
Quantock Hills The Quantock Hills west of Bridgwater in Somerset, England, consist of heathland, oak woodlands, ancient parklands and agricultural land. They were England's first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, designated in 1956. Natural England have desi ...
which form National Character Area 144. The Vale of Taunton runs from the foot of the steep northern scarp of the
Blackdown Hills The Blackdown Hills are a range of hills along the Somerset-Devon border in south-western England, which were designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1991. The plateau is dominated by hard chert bands of Upper Greensand wi ...
to the coast of the
Bristol Channel The Bristol Channel ( cy, Môr Hafren, literal translation: "Severn Sea") is a major inlet in the island of Great Britain, separating South Wales from Devon and Somerset in South West England. It extends from the lower estuary of the River Seve ...
. In the west it extends between the
Quantock Hills The Quantock Hills west of Bridgwater in Somerset, England, consist of heathland, oak woodlands, ancient parklands and agricultural land. They were England's first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, designated in 1956. Natural England have desi ...
and the
Brendon Hills The Brendon Hills are a range of hills in west Somerset, England. The hills merge level into the eastern side of Exmoor and are included within the Exmoor National Park. The highest point of the range is Lype Hill at above sea level with a seco ...
on the eastern edge of
Exmoor Exmoor is loosely defined as an area of hilly open moorland in west Somerset and north Devon in South West England. It is named after the River Exe, the source of which is situated in the centre of the area, two miles north-west of Simonsbath ...
and, to the east, between the
Quantock Hills The Quantock Hills west of Bridgwater in Somerset, England, consist of heathland, oak woodlands, ancient parklands and agricultural land. They were England's first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, designated in 1956. Natural England have desi ...
and the
Somerset Levels and Moors ( en, All The People of Somerset) , locator_map = , coordinates = , region = South West England , established_date = Ancient , established_by = , preceded_by = , origin = , lord_lieutenant_office =Lord Lieutenant of Somerset , lord_ ...
. Much of the region is verdant and pastoral, transitioning to steep, moorland-topped hills in the west and open clay levels in the east. Neighbouring natural regions are:
Exmoor Exmoor is loosely defined as an area of hilly open moorland in west Somerset and north Devon in South West England. It is named after the River Exe, the source of which is situated in the centre of the area, two miles north-west of Simonsbath ...
to the west, the
Devon Redlands The Devon Redlands is a natural region in southwest Britain that has been designated as National Character Area (NCA) 148 by Natural England.
to the southwest, the Blackdowns to the south, the
Mid Somerset Hills The Mid Somerset Hills are a major natural region in the county of Somerset in southwest west England, forming a series of low hills and ridges that divide up the Somerset Levels. The region is listed as National Character Area 143 by Natural E ...
to the southeast and the
Somerset Levels and Moors ( en, All The People of Somerset) , locator_map = , coordinates = , region = South West England , established_date = Ancient , established_by = , preceded_by = , origin = , lord_lieutenant_office =Lord Lieutenant of Somerset , lord_ ...
to the east.


Character

The region is a lowland area with a mixed farming landscape, dense hedges, sparse woodland and frequent, scattered settlements. It contrasts sharply with the surrounding uplands. Within the region, there are three distinct areas: the floodplain, the low clay vale and the higher sandstone vale edge. Villages, hamlets and farmsteads are scattered and frequently linked by winding lanes. Cider apple orchards abound, hedgerow oak is plentiful in some areas and there are willows on the floodplains. The coast is open and windswept with low cliffs. Architectural features include red sandstone buildings and prominent Perpendicular church towers.''Vale of Taunton and Quantock Fringes''
at www.naturalengland.org.uk. Accessed 4 October 2013


References

Geography of Somerset Natural regions of England {{somerset-geo-stub