Somerset Landscape Character Assessment

The Cliffs and Beaches LCT is located along the north-western coast of Somerset, extending from Minehead in the west to the Hinkley Point Power Station in the east. The LCT forms the coastal edge between the Farmed Coastal Fringe (LCT 14), to the south, and the Bristol Channel, to the north. It has a strong relationship with the Salt Marsh and Mud Flats (LCT 8), located within intertidal areas to the east of the LCT, as well as with the Bristol Channel located to the north. The centre of the LCT forms part of the coastline of the Quantock Hills National Landscape, and the west of the LCT is bounded by Exmoor National Park.

The Cliffs and Beaches LCT is a coastal landscape of imposing cliffs that separate the developed coastal area from the lower-lying intertidal zone, occasionally enclosing small, sheltered coves of rocky, shingle and sandy beaches. Settlements like Minehead and Watchet, with both historic and modern development, provide a striking contrast to the tranquil, wild character of the northern coastline, which offers significant tourism opportunities along the coast. The area supports diverse habitats, including extensive intertidal habitats, and has long inspired poets like Samuel Taylor Coleridge and William Wordsworth. The coastal nature of the LCT results in wide and open views, focused north overlooking Bridgwater Bay, Blue Anchor Bay and the Bristol Channel beyond.

Key Characteristics

• A low-lying coastal landscape with a striking contrast between settled areas and dynamic intertidal zones, defined by steep coastal cliffs that hold significant geological and ecological value.
• Extensive intertidal habitats, including mudflats, sandy beaches, and rock reef systems within the north of the LCT, contrast with areas of settlement and the predominantly arable, rural character of the southern fringes.
• Loamy and clayey soils overlie mudstone with some areas of interbedded mudstone, limestone and sandstone, supporting predominantly arable cultivation.
• Fields are small-scale and irregular, bounded by low hedgerows with occasional hedgerow trees.
• A long-standing history of human occupation is reflected in surviving remains of Saxon fortified castles, medieval weirs and standing crosses, designed landscapes associated with historic estates and, more recently, the seaside tourism boom in the latter half of the 20th century.
• Settlements like Minehead and Watchet, with a mix of historic buildings and 20th-century tourism developments, are connected by a linear network of local and minor roads roughly following the coastline.
• Open views span northward across Blue Anchor Bay, Bridgwater Bay and the Bristol Channel, while stretching southwards to the rising skylines formed by the Quantock Hills National Landscape and Brendon Hills within Exmoor National Park.
• A relatively tranquil landscape with a good experience of dark skies away from coastal settlements and road networks, particularly within the north of the LCT.
• The King Charles III England Coastal Path, network of local footpaths, the beach and other locations along the coastline are popular for recreation and provide connectivity to recreational routes and locations within Exmoor National Park and the Quantock Hills National Landscape.
• Cultural associations with Romantic poets Coleridge and Wordsworth, as Coleridge composed ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’ while travelling through Watchet.

Natural Influences

The LCT forms a relatively low-lying coastal landscape characterised by cliffs that sharply rise from the sea edge. Several watercourses pass through the LCT, broadly draining from south to north into the Bristol Channel, including the River Avill, Washford River and Doniford Stream. In the west, the landform of the LCT descends steeply from the distinctive hills of Exmoor National Park (with elevations of approximately 130 metres Above Ordnance Datum (AOD) along the western boundary of the LCT), to low points of approximately 5m AOD near Minehead. Landform on this part of the coastline descends gradually towards Blue Anchor Bay, forming a relatively broad sandy and shingle beach.

Between the village of Blue Anchor and Hinkley Point, rising cliffs define the coastal edge of rolling low-lying terrain ranging between 20-60m AOD. The underlying geology of mudstone, with pockets of interbedded limestone and mudstone (Langport Member, Blue Lias and Charmouth Mudstone Formations), influence the undulating landform and coastal cliffs.

The layered cliffs are a distinctive characteristic of the LCT. They are composed of alternating limestone and shale, with distinctive limestone ridges and benches formed by the faster erosion of the shale. The coast between the village of Blue Anchor and the hamlet of Lilstock is a geological Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) known for its geological exposures and rich fossils (a special quality of the Quantock Hills National Landscape), forming part of Somerset’s Jurassic Coast. The Quantoxhead cliff is a Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP), marking the internationally recognised division between two early Jurassic time intervals.

The southern fringes of the LCT, beyond areas of settlement, are characterised by agriculture. Loamy and clayey soils with low permeability overlie mudstone, with some areas of interbedded mudstone, limestone and sandstone that primarily support arable cultivation (Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) Grade 3). Large areas of grazing marsh (priority habitat) are located to the east of Minehead along the River Avill, resulting in a more pronounced marshland character compared to the rest of the arable landscape of the LCT. Other smaller areas of grazing marshes are also present along rivers and streams, though they are less prominent within the LCT. Other semi-natural habitats, such as lowland calcareous grassland (priority habitat) and good quality semi-improved grassland (priority habitat), are found on steep slopes or hilltops. They contribute to the windswept and relatively isolated character of this area, contrasting with the simple landscape pattern of nearby areas of grazing marsh and sandy beaches, but overall are limited in extent across the LCT.

Extensive intertidal habitats characterise the northern extent of the LCT. The coastline between Minehead and Blue Anchor Bay features large mudflats (priority habitat) interspersed with relatively broad sandy and shingle beaches. Between Watchet and Hinkley Point, the cliffs (priority habitat) are a prominent feature, and enclose smaller beaches and coves. The wave-cut platforms along this stretch form a significant rock reef system with interbedded mudflats supporting a diverse range of marine invertebrates. The cliffs and intertidal habitats to the east, from Lilstock Coast onwards, are protected as part of multiple international and national designations, including the Bridgwater Bay SSSI and Severn Estuary Special Area of Conservation (SAC), Special Protection Area (SPA), Ramsar site, and Important Bird Area (IBA). These designations protect important intertidal habitats such as mudflats and sandflats and support internationally significant bird populations and rare species.

Woodland cover within the LCT is generally limited. However, small deciduous woodland (priority habitat) and copses are scattered across arable fields along the southern fringes of the LCT. Between Chapel Cleeve and Watchet, there are also small to medium size woodlands that extend across steep slopes, and deciduous woodland occasionally lines the coastal cliffs. Traditional orchards (priority habitat) are few and associated with smaller settlements. Wood pasture and parkland are associated with the designed landscape of St Audries House (a Grade II Registered Park and Garden (RPG)) that extends north from the adjacent Farmed Coastal Fringe (LCT 14).

Cultural Influences

Fertile soils, combined with the topographical vantages available from elevated cliffs, have supported a long history of human occupation within the LCT. Daw’s Castle (a Scheduled Monument) was fortified by King Alfred during the Saxon era and survives predominantly as earthwork remains. The castle strategically occupied the cliff edge, affording sweeping views overlooking the coast, which formed an advantage for defence of the area. However, parts of the formerly fortified site have been lost to coastal erosion and landslips.  Occupation of the area during the medieval period is evidenced by the remains of coastal fish weirs in Minehead Bay and medieval Christian crosses at St Decuman’s and Doniford, all of which are designated as Scheduled Monuments.

Settlements within the LCT grew due to their strategic coastal locations, which offered opportunities for trade, transport and, later, tourism. Key settlements within the LCT, including Minehead and Watchet, have origins dating back to the Saxon era. Minehead grew as a medieval port and later became a popular Victorian holiday resort, while the expansion of Watchet in the 19th century was associated with the mining of iron ore in the nearby Brendon Hills. Alcombe and Woodcombe, now suburbs of Minehead but historically separate villages, Watchet and Minehead’s historic core are designated as Conservation Areas in recognition of their historic significance. Another notable example, such as the 18th-century St Audries House (a Grade II RPG), reflects the wealth generated by agriculture in the area. Traditional building materials with the LCT include local lias and sandstone, render and slate roofs.

The LCT is mainly characterised by the cliffs and intertidal habitats extending along the coastline, however, agricultural fields are located along the transitional southern edges of the LCT. Whilst some fields of a small-scale irregular ancient pattern survive in the east, the prevailing field pattern within the LCT is influenced by parliamentary enclosure or later modification. Fields are relatively small scale, though linear in pattern, with modern field amalgamation resulting in a large, regular field pattern within the west of LCT (near Minehead). Fields within the LCT are generally bounded by low hedgerows with occasional hedgerow trees. Drainage ditches bound pasture near Minehead, contributing to the grazing marsh character in the west of the LCT.

Modern development includes campsites, caravan sites and holiday facilities along the coast, particularly at Minehead, Watchet, Doniford and Blue Anchor due to the expansion of tourism in the latter half of the 20th century.  Settlements within the LCT are connected by a relatively linear network of local and main roads that broadly follow the coast from west to east, with smaller lanes passing north to south towards sections of the A39 within the adjacent Farmed Coastal Fringe (LCT 14). The A39 crosses the west of the LCT, while the B3191 follows the central stretch of the coast.

Perceptual Influences

This coastal landscape is characterised by the striking contrast between the settled coastal areas and the lower-lying intertidal zone, a transition that is accentuated by steep cliffs. The cliffs and intertidal areas of the LCT retain a wild and exposed character. In contrast, the southern extent has a rural character, though this is diminished by 20th-century developments in settlements and ribbon development along roads.

Minehead is a popular resort town, while Watchet, Doniford and Blue Anchor form smaller coastal villages and towns. The main settlements of Minehead and Watchet, along with the nearby Williton and Hinkley Point Power Station (located in the adjacent Farmed Coastal Fringe (LCT 14)), exert an adverse influence on the tranquillity and dark night skies of the LCT. Noise from the A39 and railway also interrupts the tranquillity of the landscape to the west. High levels of tranquillity and an experience of dark night skies with limited light pollution are afforded further away from settlements, particularly to the north across the intertidal zone.

Views from the LCT are open and expansive, stretching both inland and out to sea. Views north focus out across Blue Anchor Bay, Bridgwater Bay and the Bristol Channel. Views looking inland within the LCT are centred on rolling farmland, occasionally interrupted by woodland and hedgerows. However, tourist developments and unsympathetic settlement expansion diminish the quality of these rural views. The presence of water and changing tides contribute to the dynamic visual character of the landscape.

The Quantock Hills and rising hills within Exmoor National Park are prominent skyline features in views southwards. The Quantock Hills National Landscape is focused on the interior sandstone summits of the hills located in the Sandstone Plateau (LCT 19), with small areas of the National Landscape extending along the fossil-rich cliffs of the LCT near East Quantoxhead. Areas within the LCT form part of the “exceptional panoramic views” afforded from the designated landscape, and the “internationally recognised fossil-rich Jurassic exposures”, both of which are special qualities of the Quantock Hills National Landscape. The LCT forms part of the setting to Exmoor National Park and the Exmoor International Dark Sky Reserve. Views overlooking the rugged coastline of the LCT contribute to the “striking views” from Exmoor National Park, a special quality of the designated landscape.

The coastline and beaches offer a range of recreational facilities including campsites, caravan parks, and holiday accommodation. The West Somerset heritage railway crosses the west of the LCT, terminating at Minehead, and is a popular tourist attraction. Walking routes within the LCT mainly comprise the King Charles III England Coast Path, which runs the entire length of the LCT along the coastline, supplemented by a few local public rights of way (PRoWs) elsewhere. Walkers on the King Charles III England Coast Path experience views of the rugged shoreline with dramatic cliffs, and across the expanse of the Bristol Channel with the coastline of South Wales rising beyond. Sections of other long-distance footpaths, such as the South West Coast Path and Macmillan Way West, pass through Minehead, while open access land at Woodcombe offers additional recreational opportunities. These paths provide key functional links between Exmoor National Park, the Quantock Hills National Landscape and the wider countryside, strengthening the setting formed by the LCT to the designated landscapes.

The poets William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge often visited the LCT. Coleridge composed The Rime of the Ancient Mariner (1798) while travelling through Watchet, with Watchet Harbour serving as a key inspiration for the poem.

Key Sensitivities and Valued Features

• The dramatic coastal cliffs that define the coastline, rising above the Bristol Channel and enclosing sheltered beaches and coves, provides visual interest and sense of place. The fossil-rich cliffs are of national and international geological significance, reflected in their inclusion within, and contribution to the special qualities of, the Quantock Hills National Landscape.
• The contrast between the open and exposed coastline, and the relatively enclosed, simple, transitional farmed landscape inland contributes to landscape pattern and sense of place.
• Intertidal sand and mudflats (that also assist with carbon sequestration), rock reef systems and lowland calcareous grassland along the coastline support significant bird populations and rare species, providing habitat connectivity and contributing to the landscape pattern.
• The remains of Daw’s Castle, and medieval fish weirs, crosses, and ancient field systems contribute to time depth.
• The parkland at St Audries House (Grade II RPG) creates a locally distinctive historic landscape and contributes to time depth. The associated wood pasture and parkland provides unique habitat and a contrasting landscape pattern.
• The sense of tranquillity and remoteness along the coastline (away from settlements and roads), with open and expansive views across Blue Anchor Bay, Bridgwater Bay and the Bristol Channel, and towards the rising landform of South Wales, contributes to the sense of place.
• The rural character of the landscape and distinctive cliffs form a focal feature in outward views experienced from the hills within Exmoor National Park and the Quantock Hills National Landscape, contributing to “striking views” (a special quality of Exmoor National Park) and “exceptional panoramic views” (a special quality of the Quantock Hills National Landscape).
• Recreational value provided by long-distance footpaths (such as the King Charles III England Coast Path, South West Coast Path and Macmillan Way West), the West Somerset Heritage Railway, network of local PRoWs and other popular beach and coastal locations. The network of local and long-distance footpaths enhances functional connectivity between the LCT and Exmoor National Park and the Quantock Hills National Landscape.

The Changing Landscape

The following section sets out the changes and pressures to Cliffs and Beaches LCT.

• Rising sea levels and more frequent storm surges associated with climate change could accelerate cliff erosion and degradation of historic features (such as Daw’s Castle (Scheduled Monument)). However, rising sea levels, intensified storms, and shifting wave patterns could expose new fossil-rich strata, offering opportunities for scientific study.
• Rising sea levels and more frequent storm surges associated with climate change may alter the shape or profile of beaches, whilst impacting bird nesting and feeding sites.
• Changes in sea level as a result of climate change may increase the frequency and severity of tidal inundation, requiring enhancement or creation of additional flood barrier defences. Most of the coastline is undefended, although some sections have groynes and seawalls. The strategy within the Shoreline Management Plan (SMP2) is to ‘hold the line’ until it becomes unsustainable, then move to managed realignment. Construction of new coastal defences or flood barriers may reduce the extent of habitat, change the composition of estuarine and intertidal habitats, alter the distinctive coastal edge formed by the LCT and exert a greater human influence on views.
• Pressures for arable intensification may lead to the conversion of coastal grazing marsh (near Minehead) to arable farmland. Rising sea levels may also lead to salinisation or waterlogging of grazing marshes, impacting farming practices and the landscape pattern of these areas.
• Wetland habitats within the LCT are at risk due to excess levels of phosphates entering the water catchment as a result of development and agricultural practices, which results in seasonal eutrophication and may change the species composition of these habitats.
• Uncharacteristic boundary treatments, such as post and wire fencing and metal security fencing, particularly around Blue Anchor, degrades the traditional rural character of views and leads to erosion or degradation of hedgerows.
• The suburban villages of Alcombe and Woodcombe have expanded and subsumed into Minehead, resulting in loss of the historic settlement pattern of small, distinct villages and hamlets.
• Development pressures near settlements, as well as tourism related development and infrastructure along the coast, has been steadily increasing and is particularly notable around Minehead, Watchet and along the coast at Blue Anchor. This includes the expansion of settlement, holiday parks and caravan sites into the rural landscape, influencing the sense of place, whilst increased traffic has influenced the tranquillity of the area. Further tourism-related development and infrastructure, particularly near Minehead, may impact the setting of Exmoor National Park, as the LCT forms the rural and coastal foreground in outward views from elevated areas in the north-east of the National Park.
• Increased visitor pressure, particular along the beaches and on the footpath network, may result in erosion of footpaths or walkways and increased traffic congestion. Recreational pressure surrounding settlements is leading to the degradation of the traditional rural land use and character.
• Potential inshore development within the Bristol Channel, such as wind farms or tidal energy schemes, would affect the seascapes visible from the area.

These guidelines recommend how the landscape can be managed to ensure future change respects the local character and should be read in conjunction with the overarching management strategy objectives of the Somerset Landscape Character Assessment.

Landscape Management

• Monitor and mitigate the risks to fossil-rich cliffs (such as the Blue Anchor to Lilstock SSSI and Quantoxhead GSSP), from rising sea levels and storm surges by implementing erosion control measures, managing access to sensitive areas, and facilitating scientific research and educational programs to raise awareness of the site’s geological significance.
• Consider nature-based solutions for flood management, such as restoration and expansion of coastal and wetland habitats, managed coastal realignment to create new areas of coastal habitat, and the incorporation of green infrastructure elements within hard flood defences.
• Manage and protect bird nesting and feeding habitats, ensuring recreational opportunities located near these areas do not result in habitat degradation or loss.
• Encourage appropriate management of grazing marshes to maximise landscape and wildlife benefits. Resist the conversion of grazing marsh to arable, and encourage sensitive expansion of areas of grazing marsh through reversion of arable back to pastoral land uses.
• Implement strategic sediment and phosphate management plans, considering measures across the catchment as a whole.
• Consider the replacement of unsympathetic boundary treatments (such as post-and-wire fencing and metal security fencing), replacing them with re-instated hedgerows or field boundary ditches, where appropriate.
• Conserve and manage the historic parkland at St Audries House (Grade II RPG), particularly areas of wood pasture and veteran trees. Planting associated with designed landscapes should use species characteristic of the historic landscape. Ensure new planting does not damage archaeological features or their setting.
• Manage visitor access to maritime cliffs, intertidal sand and mudflats and lowland calcareous grassland along the coastline, using signage, barriers and screening to minimise harm to sensitive ecological areas.

Development Management

• Encourage well-designed tourism-related developments that respect the scale, use of local materials (such as local stone, render and slate) and prevailing rural character of the landscape. Minimise recreational pressure on sensitive habitats through careful planning of parking, access routes, facilities and signage.
• Consider opportunities to increase the functional connectivity of PRoWs with Exmoor National Park and the Quantock Hills National Landscape, on balance with maintaining the rural character of the landscape and avoiding erosion of existing footpaths or disturbance to habitats.
• Conserve the rural setting of coastal towns like Minehead and Watchet by carefully managing settlement expansion and ribbon development. Ensure new development respects the historic character and landscape setting of these areas. Careful management of growth is particularly essential for the area surrounding Minehead, to protect the setting of Exmoor National Park and safeguard the rural landscape to the south.
• Preserve the tranquil and undeveloped quality of the coastline, particularly the distinctive profile of cliffs.
• Avoid visually intrusive tall structures, overhead power lines, or large-scale developments that could disrupt the open, expansive views and skylines, particularly views looking along the coastline towards the cliffs, and views from the surrounding elevated landscapes of the Quantock Hills National Landscape and Exmoor National Park.
• Protect Daw’s Castle (Scheduled Monument) and other historic buildings within Conservation Areas from coastal erosion and extreme weather events by implementing adaptive strategies, such as erosion monitoring and sensitively designed protective mitigation structures where feasible.
• Where in-shore developments in Bristol Channel such as wind farms or tidal energy schemes are proposed, ensure they are sited to avoid visual intrusion on the coastline and its seascapes, particularly in key views overlooking the LCT from the Exmoor National Park or where the interrelationship between the rising skyline of Exmoor National Park and the open and exposed coastline forms a focal point in views experienced within the LCT.
• New development, particularly in the west of the LCT, should minimise light pollution to avoid adverse impacts on the Exmoor International Dark Skies Reserve and special qualities of Exmoor National Park. This can be achieved through sensitive siting, design and mitigated lighting schemes.