| Dedham Vale National Landscape | |
|---|---|
 | |
 AONB location within England | |
| Location | England |
| Coordinates | 51°58′18″N0°56′45″E / 51.9716°N 0.9459°E /51.9716; 0.9459 |
Dedham Vale National Landscape is a designatedArea of Outstanding Natural Beauty on theEssex-Suffolk border in eastEngland. It comprises the area around theRiver Stour betweenManningtree and Smallbridge Farm, 1 mile (1.6 km) east ofBures, including the village ofDedham in Essex.
It is part of the area known asConstable Country, as it was made famous by the paintings of the EnglishRomantic painterJohn Constable. Among many other works of the area are hisDedham Vale paintings of 1802 and 1828, held in theVictoria and Albert Museum in London and theScottish National Gallery in Edinburgh.[1][2]
Dedham Vale supports a viable and diverse agriculture with a mix of farm sizes. The majority of the land in the valley is still farmed despite development pressures. Farming is the primary tool for supporting the area’s landscape and wildlife.Arger Fen, aSite of Special Scientific Interest, contains areas of ancient woodland,meadow andfen.[3]
Throughout the valleyEocene and glacial deposits overlay chalk deposited during theCretaceous period.London Clay and sands are often exposed on the valley sides as the river and its tributaries cut through the deposits. The composition of these layers and where they occur is paramount in determining what species will grow, which habitats can occur and how the area is farmed.
The River Stour is the key landscape focus for the valley, its course is defined by bank-side trees andwet meadows. It supports a variety of riparian (river) habitats.
The valley floor has a large areas of functioningfloodplain.Water quality is good, meeting levels demanded in regulations. The catchment meets sustainable demands forwater supply,flood control and recreational use, whilst retaining an unspoilt character and healthyecosystem.[citation needed]
The river has become an important method of controlling water levels both in the surrounding countryside and irrigating crops.
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Humans have had a great influence on the landscape including building isolated settlements, transport links and churches. Agricultural workers divided up the land to plant crops, grow timber and graze animals.
The landscape continues to change as changingagricultural practices, increasedleisure time and an awareness of environmental concerns all contribute to development of the Stour valley.
In 1938 the Dedham Vale Society was founded with local architectRaymond Erith as its founding Chairman.[4]
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| East Midlands | ||
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| West Midlands | ||
| Yorkshire and the Humber | ||
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