Peat settlements
The landscape of the peat settlements is distinctive because of the regular pattern of waterways (canals and ditches, for example) and the linear settlement. In some places the original pattern of long narrow strips of land has vanished, as a result of the enlargement of plots.
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Characteristics
The peat settlements are landscapes on reclaimed raised bog that are distinctive because of their long, narrow plots of land, the canals and waterways built for drainage, and the rows of trees lining some of the roads. The main land use is arable farming.
Trends
Peat to be used as fuel for the emerging towns and industries was systematically cut from the extensive tracts of raised bog from the 13th century onwards. The reclamation of the raised bog continued until well into the 20th century, as can clearly be seen from the increase in the area of the typical strip plots until late in the 20th century. The decline in the area of watercourses at the end of the 20th century is the result of many watercourses being covered over so that fields could be enlarged.
