Welcome

The Churnet Valley Living Landscape Partnership (CVLLP) was set up to conserve and enhance the area’s unique landscape and heritage for all to enjoy. It is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and managed by local people and organisations who share a vision to ensure a sustainable future for the area.

The CVLLP area is 190km² bordered to the north by the Peak District National Park, to the south and west by the Churnet catchment area and to the east by the River Dove floodplain. This ‘Living Landscape’ is a result of geology and environmental and human interventions - within the valley there remains a vast and comprehensive record of its history that we need to protect, enhance and celebrate.

This unique landscape is characterised by deeply incised, wooded valleys of the River Churnet and its tributaries. Upland areas have a gentle rolling landscape of pastures enclosed by dry stone walls.  In lowland areas the fields are mostly bounded by hedges, with dry stone walls only used around farmsteads and cottages.

Throughout the valley remnants of historic parkland and small-scale field patterns give clues to early land usage. Similarly there is evidence of the industrial heritage of the valley that made such an impact on the landscape -  distinctive man made features such as the Caldon Canal, Churnet Valley Railway and Rudyard and Tittesworth Reservoirs.

The woodlands, grasslands and boundary features of the Churnet Valley are considered important heritage elements that need to be restored and conserved. To achieve this the CVLLP will work across the valley with landowners and the local community.