In line with the process of assessment described in ‘An Approach to Landscape Character Assessment’, landscapes are divided into Landscape Character Types (LCTs), which are in turn subdivided into Landscape Character Areas (LCAs). LCTs have a broadly consistent, homogeneous character as a result of common combinations of landscape components. LCAs are unique geographic areas with a consistent character and identity.

The landscape classification identifies 14 LCTs and 44 LCAs shown on the map below.

It is important to note that boundaries between one LCT or LCA and the next are often transitional: there is rarely a clearcut change in character ‘on the ground’. This assessment has been mapped at a scale of 1:25,000 which provides an appropriate level of detail for the landscape character assessment at the strategic unitary authority scale.

Landscape Character Type Overview - View the map full screen in a new tab

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Landscape Character Types and Areas

Profiles for the character areas listed below are set out in the Landscape profiles section.

Landscape Character Type 1: Open Chalk Escarpment and Upper Slopes

• LCA 1A: Wessex Downs Open Chalk Escarpment and Upper Slopes
• LCA 1B: Aston Upthorpe Downs Open Chalk Escarpment and Upper Slopes

Landscape Character Type 2: Wooded Chalk Escarpment

• LCA 2A: Chiltern Wooded Chalk Escarpment

Landscape Character Type 3: Open Chalk Dipslope

• LCA 3A: Wessex Downs Open Chalk Dipslope

Landscape Character Type 4: Wooded Chalk Plateau and Valleys

• LCA 4A: Chiltern Wooded Chalk Plateau and Valleys

Landscape Character Type 5: Wooded Chalk Ridges and Valleys

• LCA 5A: Chiltern Wooded Chalk Ridges and Valleys

Landscape Character Type 6: Chalk Escarpment Footslopes

• LCA 6A: Wessex Downs Chalk Escarpment Footslopes
• LCA 6B: Chiltern Chalk Escarpment Footslopes

Landscape Character Type 7: Ridge Hilltops

• LCA 7A: Faringdon Ridge Hilltops
• LCA 7B: Oxford West Ridge Hilltops
• LCA 7C: Oxford East Ridge Hilltops
• LCA 7D: Oxford South Ridge Hilltops

Landscape Character Type 8: Ridge Slope

• LCA 8A: Faringdon to Frilford Ridge Slope
• LCA 8B: Frilford to Sandford Ridge Slope
• LCA 8C: Cumnor to Abingdon Ridge Slope

Landscape Character Type 9: Vale Edge Slopes

• LCA 9A: Western Vale Edge Slopes
• LCA 9B: Wantage to Milton Hill Vale Edge Slopes
• LCA 9C: Milton Hill to Didcot Vale Edge Slopes
• LCA 9D: East of Didcot Vale Edge Slopes
• LCA 9E: Ewelme to South Stoke Vale Edge Slopes
• LCA 9F: Eastern Vale Edge Slopes
• LCA 9G: Northern Vale Edge Slopes

Landscape Character Type 10: Lower Vale Hills

• LCA 10A: Sinodun Lower Vale Hills

Landscape Character Type 11: Upper Vale

• LCA 11A: Thames Upper Vale
• LCA 11B: Western Upper Vale
• LCA 11C: Eastern Upper Vale

Landscape Character Type 12: Middle Vale

• LCA 12A: Thames Middle Vale
• LCA 12B: Western Middle Vale
• LCA 12C: Eastern Middle Vale
• LCA 12D: Oxford Middle Vale
• LCA 12E: Thame Middle Vale
• LCA 12F: Studley Middle Vale
• LCA 12G: Cherwell Middle Vale

Landscape Character Type 13: Lower Vale

• LCA 13A: Ock Lower Vale
• LCA 13B: Abingdon-Didcot Lower Vale
• LCA 13C: East Thames Lower Vale
• LCA 13D: South Thames Lower Vale

Landscape Character Type 14: River Valley

• LCA 14A: Farmoor Reservoir Lower Valley
• LCA 14B: Eynsham to Oxford Thames River Valley
• LCA 14C: Botley to Kennington Thames River Valley
• LCA 14D: Abingdon to Kennington Thames Lower Valley
• LCA 14E: River Thame Lower Valley
• LCA 14F: Moulsford to Caversham Thames Lower Valley
• LCA 14G: Caversham to Henley Thames Lower Valley