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Summary information

Extent of area

This area is located adjacent to the Chilterns National Landscape, extending to Henley-on-Thames in the east. The southern boundary is formed by the settlement edge of Caversham and the change in topography to the Thames floodplain (which forms part of the adjacent Henley-on-Thames to Sonning Eye Thames Floodplain LLD). The LLD encompasses the undulating dipslope of the Chiltern hills.

Landscape character context

The LLD includes parts of the following Landscape Character Areas:

• LCA 4A: Chiltern Wooded Chalk Plateau and Valleys
• LCA 14G: Caversham to Henley Thames River Valley

Location map of Chilterns Dipslope LLD - View map full screen

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Statement of significance

An undulating landscape, which forms an integral part of the chalk dipslope. This creates a distinctive area of transition between the Chiltern Hills and Thames Valley. Small deciduous woodland blocks are separated by arable and pasture fields, contained by a connected hedgerow network with mature hedgerow trees. Small villages at Playhatch, Shiplake Row and Binfield Heath contain a number of historic listed buildings, and there is a strong vernacular of brick, timber framing and flint. Small lanes run up the ridges, and are sometimes sunken. Away from the A4155 there is a good sense of tranquillity and a strong rural character. Visually, there is a contrast between intimate views enclosed by woodland and topography, and more open long-distance views including to Reading and across the Thames valley.

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Summary of special landscape qualities

• A distinctive undulating landform, which forms part of the chalk dip slope and transition between the Chilterns National Landscape and the Thames valley.
• Frequent scattered woodlands, often designated as ancient woodland, small areas of semi-improved and calcareous grassland and open meadows contribute to the natural heritage of the landscape and provide visual interest within the landscape.
• Historic former commons, including Binfield Heath, form part of the historic landscape character, and create a distinctive sense of place.
• Small settlements have clusters of listed buildings, with a strong local vernacular of timber frame, brick and flint.
• Relatively rural character, with strong visual relationship to the adjacent nationally designated landscape of the Chilterns National Landscape.

Arable field with views across woodland

Sloping grassland with mature woodland forming a backdrop

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Full evaluation

Local distinctiveness and sense of place

• Gently undulating chalk landscape, incised by small valleys which add topographic interest, and a continuation in character with the Chilterns National Landscape.
• Combination of arable and pasture fields interspersed with small areas of woodland and grassland, and some remnant heathland habitats creates a strong sense of place.
• Small-scale historic settlements contain many listed buildings and have a strong vernacular of timber-framing, brick and flint.

Landscape quality (condition and intactness)

• Irregular pattern of fields bounded by a network of hedgerows; although there has been some reinforcement by post and wire fencing. Mature hedgerow trees are common. Some areas of pasture have been converted to horse grazing, with associated horse tape.
• A rural and generally undeveloped landscape, with intact small linear settlements and a number of historic buildings. Historic drove roads are intact, and are now often sunken lanes.
• Some localised incongruous features including electricity pylons, new development along the A4115, and views towards Reading and Henley.

Scenic qualities and perceptual aspects

• The undulating landform results in sequences of views and variation between openness and enclosure when travelling through the area. Expansive views are possible across the Thames valley to the south, and towards the hills in the Chiltern National Landscape. In contrast, the combination of sunken lanes, the dry valley topography and woodland creates more enclosed views, with some sense of remoteness.
• A rural landscape with small hamlets, largely contained within their historic boundaries.
• Some local incongruous features including audible traffic on the A4155, and small-scale commercial and residential development along the A4155.

Natural and cultural qualities

• Discrete priority habitat deciduous woodland blocks are often ancient in origin, and linked by species-rich hedgerows.
• Small areas of semi-improved grassland and calcareous grassland are found at Bints Farm and close to Shiplake. Clayfield Copse, containing open meadows and ancient woodland, is a small Local Nature Reserve close to the settlement edge of Caversham.
• Binfield Heath, as the name suggests, is a former area of heathland common. It was enclosed in the 19th century and is now an area of woodland and farmland.
• The most common form of field pattern is reorganised enclosures and amalgamated fields, although there is some ancient enclosure on the edge of Caversham. Ancient drove roads, connecting the Thames valley and Chiltern hills are still evident in the landscape, and are often now sunken lanes.
• Listed buildings are clustered in the small hamlets, with a strong vernacular of timber-framing, brick and flint with thatch or slate roofs. The church of St Peter and Paul, Shiplake is a Grade II* flint and stone church.
• Shiplake Court and Shiplake House, a Grade II listed building, formerly set within parkland. The building is now in use as a school, with the parkland converted to sports facilities.

Recreation value

• Public rights of way cross the landscape, connecting to Caversham (including National Cycling Network Route 5), to the Chilterns National Landscape and to the Thames valley. A small section of the Chiltern Way crosses the area north of Lower Shiplake.
• Mapledurham Golf Club and part of Reading Golf Club extend into the west of the area.

Associations

• The First World War poet Wilfred Owen was a lay assistant to the vicar at Dunsden Green, and was inspired by the Chilterns countryside.
• Shiplake Court was used by the BBC as a hostel for BBC staff working at Caversham. It became a private boarding school in 1959, and has had considerable success in rowing.

Gently sloping farmland and woodland, with new tree planting

St Peter and Paul Church, Shiplake

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Landscape guidelines

Guidance to protect/conserve current landscape character

• Encourage management in parklands and support plans for restoration where appropriate. Conserve and appropriately manage veteran trees within parkland areas.
• Protect the experiential qualities of the landscape, particularly the high levels of tranquillity, assessed in the South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse Tranquillity Study, and intact rural character.

Guidance to manage landscape character

• Encourage the appropriate management of woodland, including to reduce the impacts of pests and diseases and to increase its age structure and structural heterogeneity (including creation of glades). Consider the promotion of natural colonisation adjacent to existing woodland, allowing locally native species to develop resilience to the pressures of climate change through natural processes.
• Manage recreational routes to minimise disturbance to important woodland and grassland habitats.
• Manage the remnant areas of heath and common, encouraging a traditional grazing regime to best manage the distinctive mosaic of open areas, scrub, grassland and woodland.
• Conserve the pattern of sunken narrow lanes enclosed by tall hedgerows, ensuring that their character is not lost through unsympathetic highway works, unnecessary signage, lighting, or removal of hedgerows and trees.

Guidance to plan (enhance, restore, create) landscape character

• Encourage landowners to develop a woodland management strategy to conserve existing woodlands (including ancient woodland) and extend woodland where appropriate. Ensure any new woodland planting is respectful of local character and ecological conditions and maximises opportunities to link with other habitats.
• Restore historic hedgerow field boundaries which have been lost to agricultural intensification to improve the legibility of historic field patterns and strengthen landscape character and structure, and enhance ecological corridors.
• Consider opportunities to increase the area of chalk grassland through recreation and restoration around existing areas, and ensure that areas that might act as refugia from climate change (such as areas with north facing slopes, complex micro-topography and/or low nitrogen levels) are under optimal management.
• New development should be in keeping with the distinctive scattered, linear settlement pattern. Consider using the local vernacular of timber-framing, brick and flint with slate roofs.
• Preserve the openness between areas of settlement, avoiding coalescence or perceived coalescence along the minor road network.
• Ensure any new development does not disrupt the visual relationship between the chalk dipslope and river valley.
• Consider the impact of any new development on views from the Chilterns National Landscape to the north.
• Consider the impact of lighting on dark skies, both locally and on views from the Chilterns National Landscape and lower Thames valley (refer to the guidance in the Dark Skies / Light Impact Assessment for South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse).