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Discover the Kent Downs National Landscape, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty stretching from the white cliffs of  Dover to the Surrey and London border. With ancient bluebell woodlands, rugged chalk coastline, internationally rare chalk grassland, and ragstone villages there is beauty to explore all year round.

If you look after land in the Kent Downs National Landscape or you help people to access the Kent Downs, we have a range of grants, funding, and support available for nature recovery, biodiversity, climate change mitigation, and sustainable visiting initiatives.

The Kent Downs Blog & News

Dover Castle, a large medieval fortress with stone walls and towers, sits atop a green hill surrounded by dense vegetation under a dramatic sky with clouds and patches of golden sunlight.Celebrating a landmark Kent–Pas de Calais UNESCO bid: Cross-Channel Geopark Festival announced at Dover Castle 17th October 2025Dover Castle will host the 2025 Cross-Channel Geopark Festival on Friday 7 and Saturday 8 November, celebrating the UK–France partnership behind a landmark bid to…Save Celebrating a landmark Kent–Pas de Calais UNESCO bid: Cross-Channel Geopark Festival announced at Dover Castle  to favourites
A couple sitting on a stone bench at the top of a hill, facing a wide, green countryside. The view stretches across fields and forests, with a circular arrangement of stones surrounding the bench. The image captures the peaceful, elevated perspective of the landscape on a clear day.Help shape the Kent Downs Management Plan 2026–203116th September 2025Share your views on what makes the Downs special and how it’s cared for. Survey open until 30 November 2025.Save Help shape the Kent Downs Management Plan 2026–2031 to favourites
Protect our pollinators and keep the Kent Downs buzzing13th August 2025Pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hoverflies are essential to the Kent Downs, supporting wildlife, crops, and local ecosystems. However, invasive Asian hornets pose a…Save Protect our pollinators and keep the Kent Downs buzzing to favourites

Join our journey to UNESCO status!

In celebration of the chalk and the channel, we are working to secure Cross-Channel UNESCO Global Geopark status for the Kent Downs National Landscape together with our neighbouring protected landscape in France; the Parc Naturel Regional des Caps et Marais d’Opale. There will be lots of ways for everyone to get involved!

Cross-Channel Geopark Festival 2025Join us at Dover Castle for a celebration of geology, culture, and community at the Cross-Channel Geopark Festival 2025!Save Cross-Channel Geopark Festival 2025 to favourites
"A panoramic view showcasing the iconic White Cliffs of Kent. The brilliant chalk cliffs rise sharply from a gently rippled coastal beach, contrasted against a partly cloudy sky. Sparse greenery accentuates the rugged texture of the white limestone, emphasizing the timeless natural beauty that defines this historic Kentish coastline.Aspiring Cross-Channel UNESCO Global GeoparkFind out more about our aspiration for a Cross-Channel UNESCO Global Geopark and how you can get involvedSave Aspiring Cross-Channel UNESCO Global Geopark to favourites
SALT + EARTH FestivalSALT + EARTH FestivalSALT + EARTH: Festival of Landscape, Seascape & The Environment returns this October! Join us for a weekend of artworks, walks, workshops, community gatherings and…Save SALT + EARTH Festival to favourites

#UpTheKentDowns

The Kent Downs National Landscape has exactly what visitors desire for all year round, unmissable, sensory, and immersive experiences, where you can ‘live like a local’ and enjoy your short breaks sustainably.

Group of people, walking away from camera, on green fields, with vineyard on the left. Sunny day.#UpTheKentDowns#UpTheKentDowns showcases the Kent Downs National Landscape as an exciting all-year-round destination offering wonderfully diverse experiences.Read more
Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural BeautyTop DownsWe're celebrating 55 years of the Kent Downs National Landscape with our 55 top places to visit.Read more
Close-up action image of person using rolling pin to roll pastry.Chow DownsFind the favourite places to go for a real taste of Kent and try the finest local produce in enchanted locations.Experience now

Experiences

Discover unique experiences in the Kent Downs with local experts. Each experience offers an authentic and immersive insight into the Kent Downs, it's nature and heritage

Mosaic Makers in NatureArts & CraftsMosaic Makers in NatureLearn the ancient art of mosaic on this nature experience in the Kent Downs National Landscape, with afternoon tea included. 4 hours £100 per personSave Mosaic Makers in Nature to favourites
A Sensory Journey in NatureWellbeingA Sensory Journey in NatureEscape on a sensory journey with Hinoki Forest Bathing. Led by a qualified Forest Bathing guide, you are invited to take in the relaxing atmosphere… Less than 3 hours £25Save A Sensory Journey in Nature to favourites
"Interior of a clear-plastic greenhouse with raised wooden beds filled with thriving plants. Hanging flower pots showcase purple blooms alongside festive bunting draped across the structure. A person wearing a straw hat and gray t-shirt stands in the center with arms crossed, along a gravel pathway, underscoring a well-organized, productive gardening environment.Food & DrinkBecome a Rebel FarmerQuit the hustle and bustle and discover what it means to be a Rebel Farmer: learn to make organic fruit and veg all-year-round, tour a… 4 hoursSave Become a Rebel Farmer to favourites
Historic timber-framed buildings with flower boxes overlooking a narrow canal in Canterbury, Kent.Arts & CraftsCapture Kent (Canterbury)Join Capture Kent on a relaxed 2-hour photography walking experience, taking in Canterbury’s medieval ramparts, its Norman Castle, and its meadows and rivers. 2.5 hours £80Save Capture Kent (Canterbury) to favourites
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The North Downs Way National Trail

The North Downs Way National Trail offers walkers and cyclists 153 miles (246 km) of spectacular scenery, picturesque villages and glorious rolling countryside, passing through the Surrey Hills and Kent Downs National Landscapes.

A wooden signpost for the North Downs Way shows a direction marker for Patrixbourne 4 1/2 miles away, with icons for walking, cycling, and horseback riding. In the background, a narrow road is lined with hedges and bordered by a thatched-roof cottage partially covered in greenery, along with trees. A small sticker on the sign features a person in yellow clothing holding a blue flag.Walking tagsNorth Downs Way National TrailThe 153 mile (245 km) North Downs Way National Trail from Farnham to Dover offers spectacular views and a fascinating heritage, passing through the Surrey… FarnhamSave North Downs Way National Trail to favourites
Putting Down RoutesPutting Down RoutesPutting Down Routes seeks to make the North Downs Way National Trail a safe, inclusive and accessible destination where all are welcome.Save Putting Down Routes to favourites
North Downs Way Art TrailNorth Downs Way Art TrailTrack down the 9 sculptures along the North Downs Way and soak up art in the great outdoors, or as we like to call in…Save North Downs Way Art Trail to favourites

Discover Kent's Heritage Coast

Explore the magnificent chalk cliffs between Folkestone and Kingsdown form Kent’s Heritage Coast, one of Britain’s most evocative and best-known landmarks and the only UK destination to feature in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2022.

Visit nature's heritage coastCulture & HeritageVisit nature’s heritage coastA cultural and heritage experience amongst two sites of special scientific interest in the Kent Downs. 1 daySave Visit nature’s heritage coast to favourites
South Foreland Lighthouse walkWalking tagsSouth Foreland Lighthouse walkDiscover the White Cliffs of Dover, the most iconic symbol of our county, along this refreshing walk overlooking the English Channel - one of the… St Margaret-at-CliffeSave South Foreland Lighthouse walk to favourites
Shakespeare CliffBeaches tagsShakespeare CliffShakespeare Cliff, thought to have inspired a passage from Shakespeare's King Lear, is a dramatic cliff-top site with stunning views over Samphire Hoe and Dover… DoverSave Shakespeare Cliff to favourites

Easy Access Trails

Ideal for people who are wheelchair users, those with pushchairs or just those who like flat surfaced routes with no gates or stiles.

Farming in Protected LandscapesEasy access routesIdeal for wheelchair users, those with pushchairs or just those who like flat surfaced routes with no gates or stiles.Save Easy access routes to favourites
Shorne Woods Country Park easy access trailWalking tagsShorne Woods Country Park Stile Free TrailShorne Woods Country Park has it all: woodland, waymarked trails, a pond, a sensory garden, a picnic area, a trim trail, a café and so… ShorneSave Shorne Woods Country Park Stile Free Trail to favourites
Jeskyns easy access trailWalking tagsJeskyns easy access trailThis all-ability route follows hard fine surfaced paths over gently rolling hills taking in Henhurst Lake. GravesendSave Jeskyns easy access trail to favourites

Sustainable Visiting & Accessibility Initiatives

Find out about our work to help support sustainable tourism in the Kent Downs and help everyone enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits of this beautiful landscape

Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural BeautyOur UNESCO Global Geopark AmbitionCelebrating and protect our natural and cultural assets whilst contributing to the sustainable development of the local economy.Read more
Person standing looking out over beach, mobility scooter nearby. Clear day with white cliffs in background.Enhancing Access OpportunitesHow can we help to increase public access in the Kent Downs for health and wellbeing where it is most needed?Read more
Two people standing looking at the night sky, through a telescope, in a field with campfire behind them.Sustainable TourismSupporting sustainable, low-impact tourism activities to secure the future resilience of our natural and cultural assets.Read more

Grants & Funding for Rural Businesses

Find out about grants and funding for rural businesses in the Kent Downs to support nature recovery, biodiversity, sustainable tourism

Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural BeautyFarming in Protected LandscapesA grant programme for landowners and landmanagers for projects to support People, Place, Climate & Nature in the Kent Downs.Read more
Two people standing looking at the night sky, through a telescope, in a field with campfire behind them.Sustainable TourismSupporting sustainable, low-impact tourism activities to secure the future resilience of our natural and cultural assets.Read more
Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural BeautyTree Planting & EstablishmentFree and subsidised trees to help protect our irreplaceable trees and woodlands ensuring 'Right Tree, Right Place'.Read more

Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation

Find out more about our work on the ground to help conserve and enhance this landscape, mitigate and adapt to climate change and our aspirations for UNESCO status as a Cross-Border Global Geopark.

Kent Downs National LandscapeDarent Valley Landscapes Partnership SchemeAn exciting large-scale partnership, working to conserve and enhance the distinctive heritage landscapes of the Darent Valley and to connect people to the Valley to…Read more
Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural BeautyFarming in Protected LandscapesGrants to support nature recovery and mitigate the impacts of climate change.Farming in Protected Landscapes
Elham-Valley-close-up-grapesViticultureHow can the growing number of vineyards in the Kent Downs increase in biodiversity and climate change mitigation and adaptation?Read more
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