Somerset Landscape Character Assessment

Somerset is a large unitary authority covering approximately 352,000 hectares. It is situated along and includes part of the Severn Estuary to the north, Exmoor National Park and Quantock Hills in the west, the Blackdown Hills in the south-west and Mendip Hills in the north.

The Somerset landscape is diverse and varied. The present-day landscape is a reflection of natural processes and human influence, both historically and more recently. This section summarises the physical features and elements in the landscapes across Somerset, together with the historical and more recent landscape influences, as well as perceptual attributes and qualities that contribute to landscape character and sense of place across Somerset.