Landscape Character

Landscape character is the recognisable pattern of elements that occurs in a particular landscape. Variations in geology and soils, landform, land use and vegetation, field boundaries, settlement patterns and building styles, give rise to different landscapes each with its own distinctive character and unique sense of place.

The diversity of landscape character across the county has been mapped in the County Durham Landscape Character Assessment. To find out more about the landscape character assessment, how it was carried out, and the way in which it classifies the landscape use the menu bar on the left.

The County Durham Landscape Character Assessment maps variations in character at different scales:

County Character Areas

County Character Areas are mapped at a regional scale and include such landscapes as the North Pennines and the West Durham Coalfield.

Broad Landscape Types

Broad Landscape Types are mapped at a more detailed scale, picking up broad variations in character within the County Character Areas - these include landscapes like Upper Dales and Coalfield Valleys.

Broad Character Areas

Broad Character Areas are geographically specific examples of a broad landscape type - these include landscapes like Upper Teesdale and the Browney Valley.

Local Landscape Types

Local Landscape Types are mapped at a yet more detailed scale, identifying variations in character at a local level - these include landscapes like Daleside farmland: walled pastures and valley farmland: open arable.

Follow the drop down menus on the left to find out more about County Character Areas and Broad Landscape Types. Information on Broad Character Areas and Local Landscape Types can be found in the sections dealing with the Broad Landscape Types to which they belong.