Garvagh Farmland Landscape

Key Characteristics

• Lowland drumlin landscape with drumlins which are consistently aligned along a SW-NE axis; land rises and becomes more undulating to the west.
• Drumlins are evenly-sized and create deeply undulating terrain with rounded slopes and a diverse landscape character.
• Winding rivers and numerous streams, with peaty marsh on the floodplain of some smaller rivers.
• Fields form an even, geometric patchwork over the drumlins, becoming irregular in shape on the flatter land in between.
• Dense hedgerows, many hedgerow trees and small deciduous woodlands form a diverse pattern; often wire fencing on marginal farmland.
• Numerous scattered farms, typically sited half-way up drumlin slopes; many small settlements concentrated at road junctions.
• Principal routes are straight and deeply undulating, minor roads are tortuous.

Landscape Description

The Garvagh Farmland is found to the east of the Glenshane Slopes. The area is dominated by rounded drumlins, with the characteristic smooth, elliptical form. Most are consistently aligned along a NW-SE axis, indicating the direction of ice flow in glacial times. River valleys, such as those of the Agivey River and the Grillagh River, tend to follow and widen slight gaps between the drumlins and minor tributaries wind around the small hills. There are often patches of marsh in low-lying areas between the drumlins. The farmland is predominantly pasture but has a diverse, small-scale landscape pattern.

Typically, each drumlin is divided evenly by straight hedgerows which continue right over the ridge of each hill. This pattern is repeated on most drumlins but is complicated by many small copses, isolated trees and woodlands. The varied patterns give each drumlin an individual identity and the landscape as a whole, a dynamic, playful character. Low-lying areas between the drumlins often have ponds, marsh and small, poorly drained pastures with irregular shapes. The pastures may be partially infested with rushes. All fields are enclosed by hedgerows and there are numerous hedgerow trees. The dense tree cover, together with the undulating drumlin landform, gives this landscape an enclosed character, although there are some open, elevated views from local roads. There are often small woodlands on the ends of the drumlins and dense hedgerows around the base, giving visual emphasis to the drumlin landform.

Farms nestle in sheltered sites halfway up the slopes of the drumlins and are linked by tortuous narrow winding roads. However, the principal communication routes are relatively straight and deeply undulating as they cross the grain of the landscape. A variety of modern bungalows, which are surrounded by bright fencing or ornamental hedging, are common. There are no long views and the consistent size and shape of the drumlins can be disorientating.

Landscape Condition and Sensitivity to Change

Farmland on the drumlins is generally in good condition, particularly in areas where the drumlins are smaller, with relatively shallow slopes, although many hedgerows are not maintained. The low-lying areas between the drumlins are often poorly-drained, with gleyed soils. Fields in such areas may be partially infested with rushes and there are patches of uncultivated land. There is little indication that many of the numerous small woodlands are actively managed and their condition may be in decline. The area is generally under pressure for new built development, particularly close to Garvagh and Maghera.

Principles for Landscape Management

• Ongoing management of woodlands, hedgerows and hedgerow trees in the face of agricultural intensification will ensure the conservation and reinforcement of the characteristically diverse landscape pattern.
• Changes which involve drainage of the richly vegetated wet inter-drumlin hollows would threaten these important landscape and ecological features.

Principles for Accommodating New Development

• Development can be accommodated within this undulating, well treed landscape although there is a need for sensitive design, appropriate to a rural situation.
• Linear developments, closely spaced along the roads are not characteristic of the area and should be avoided.
• Sites for new development should be subjected to a careful visual analysis, taking account of the wide range of possible views, from different angles, which are typical of this drumlin landscape.