The Upper Moyola Valley is the broad basin of the Moyola River on the eastern fringes of the Sperrin Mountains. It is dominated by the peak of Slieve Gallion to the south. The valley is deeply undulating, with steep, rounded slopes dissected by numerous small branching streams. The slopes become steeper and smaller in scale towards the centre of the valley. The surrounding mountains provide a strong sense of enclosure. The steep slopes towards the valley centre have a relatively small-scale landscape pattern, with small pastures and many small broadleaf woodlands forming an irregular patchwork. There are numerous hedgerow trees and small copses, which often create an impression of dense woodland when viewed from the outer margins of the area.
The river is almost hidden from view. The dense tree cover creates an enclosed landscape and tends to mask the variations in landform. Many fields are partially enclosed by earthbanks and wire fences as well as by hedgerows. There is a rich diversity of trees; oak, ash, beech, birch and rowan are all found within the hedgerows and there are beech avenues leading to some of the more prosperous farms. Broadleaf woodland predominates, but there are also some small conifer plantations such as Derrynoyd Wood. The landscape becomes larger in scale towards the outer margins of the valley, where many of the fields are enclosed by stone walls. This regular field patchwork extends high up onto the slopes of the surrounding mountains, often with a striking division between the farmland and the moorland above.
There are numerous scattered white-washed farms and cottages, with small clusters of buildings at some bridges and fords. Settlements are generally larger on higher land towards the outer margins of the vale. The lanes within the steeper river valleys are winding and very narrow, with abrupt turns to cross the streams on stone bridges. By contrast, on the higher land the roads are relatively straight, with long views across the vale and to the Sperrins.
Landscape Condition and Sensitivity to ChangeThe landscape is more intensively farmed on the more elevated parts of the vale, where hedgerows are in relatively good condition. However, the farmland on the lower slopes of the upland moors is of poorer quality, with gappy hedgerows, dominated by gorse and bracken. Some fields in the centre of the vale are also infested by thistles and rushes.
The undulating landform and dense woodland towards the valley centre tends to screen any buildings and development. However, there is more evidence of pressure for development in the more accessible areas, close to the straight roads and larger settlements on the higher land. Here development is more prominent and the landscape generally, more sensitive.
Principles for Landscape Management