1.1 View to a Hill

This project explored the importance of views of the Quantock Hills from the surrounding parishes in the wider LPS area. The project is now complete, and the full report can be downloaded from our downloads page or directly HERE.

Views from the hills are well known and celebrated and to some extent protected by the planning system. However, most people see the Quantocks from the other direction; views of the hills are just as important. Views of the hill are currently unprotected and largely unrecognised.

Working with local residents this project has identified the most important views of the Quantock Hills from the surrounding areas, explored the significance of these views of the Hills to local communities, and developed guidance about how to maintain and enhance the Quantock setting that they value.

It has also gathered information, experience, and locations that can be used to promote the recreational opportunities in the more accessible surrounding lowland areas as a way of diverting recreational pressures from the hilltop honeypot sites.

The project was delivered by Fiona Fyfe Associates. They completed a preliminary Desk Study and had discussions with key stakeholders such as the National Landscape and the The Friends of the Quantocks A public consultation yielded 79 suggested key views which were whittled down to a shortlist of 12. These cover the views to the Hills from every direction except from the sea. A training course was held for people interested in researching these views; their landscape history and meaning. These individuals then went on to volunteer to adopt a view for the duration of the project, researching their view and taking regular photographs of the view throughout the seasons. The training videos are below, if you’re interested in understanding more about Landscape Character.

The Shortlisted views were