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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

Chalk stream with open fields, overhanging trees and blue skies with white cloudsSecretary of State visits Landscape Recovery Project in the Kent Downs to make first announcement since appointment1st December 2023This week, the Secretary of State met with Kent Downs National Landscape, project partners and landowners at Castle Farm in Darent Valley to announce a…Save Secretary of State visits Landscape Recovery Project in the Kent Downs to make first announcement since appointment to favourites
A couple with arms in the air looking at the sunset across a green landscapeAreas of Outstanding Natural Beauty Renamed National Landscapes22nd November 2023The Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty has been renamed as the Kent Downs National Landscape – in a bid to bring us in…Save Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty Renamed National Landscapes to favourites
Coastal path, along cliff edge with Sound Mirror. Sea on the right.2023, Year of the Coast29th August 2023In celebration of the Year of the Coast, we've handpicked our top 10 coastal experiences in the Kent Downs National Landscape for you to try!Save 2023, Year of the Coast to favourites
A couple sitting on the Downs watching the sunset over the countrysideTop spots to watch the sunset in the Kent Downs22nd October 2023Discover our favourite places to watch the sunset in the Kent Downs National Landscape.Save Top spots to watch the sunset in the Kent Downs to favourites
Aerial view of Wye Crown chalk hill figure on a hazy dayChalk Hill Figures in the Kent Downs25th July 2022There are four distinctive hill figures carved into the iconic chalk of the Kent Downs - have you seen them all?Save Chalk Hill Figures in the Kent Downs to favourites
Lavender fields with woodlands and crop fields in background, on a sunny day.Sustainable Walks in the Darent Valley30th May 2023Download the free Darent Valley Trails app and discover 17 new Rail Trail walks all starting and ending at train stations in North Kent.Save Sustainable Walks in the Darent Valley to favourites
Big group of walkers, smiling and waving at camera for a group photo on grass with cliffs and sea in background.Walking in the Kent Downs with Muslim Hikers7th March 2023Muslim Hikers experience the white cliffs of Dover, one of the most important and awe-inspiring geological sites in the Kent Downs, for their first ever…Save Walking in the Kent Downs with Muslim Hikers to favourites
Sunset view from Holly Hill. Two people at bench.The Best Viewpoints in the Kent Downs20th February 2023Searching for incredible views? Look no further! We've rounded up the best viewpoints in the Kent Downs.Save The Best Viewpoints in the Kent Downs 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
Couple celebrating sunset in the countrysideTop 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
Person standing looking out over beach, mobility scooter nearby. Clear day with white cliffs in background.Adventure DownsWith the wind in your face & fresh air in your lungs you’ll find time-short thrills and epic week-long escapades right here.Experience now
Lavender fields with trees in background, blue skies.Natural DownsCultivate the mind with experiences that celebrate and nurture the land and local way of life.Experience now
Richborough Roman Fort and Amphitheatre with wooden footpath.Show DownsFrom the ancient to the impressive, we’ve plenty of iconic and natural attractions to leave you awestruck.Experience now
Artists paints, pencils and sketch pad on grass.Draw downsWitness an inspiring coast & countryside that will ignite your creative fire.Experience now
Two children sitting in the ground at the entrance to a wood built camp. Smiling and looking at camera.Play downsLet mother nature play host and let your wildlings roam free with our family focused activities.Experience now
Group of people walking into church grounds on a sunny day.Track downsTread in the footsteps of saints, crusaders and inspirational artists on a journey of self-discovery.Experience now
Two people sitting on beach, looking out to sea.Power downsFree the mind and body in your own 878 km2/sq.km wellness retreat.Experience now
Horses grazing on grass, with wetlands and trees surrounding.Wild downsHead into the wilderness and meet our own wild residents on a homegrown expedition.Experience now

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!

White cliffs and sand ripples at St Margaret's Bay. Cliffs on the right and blue skies.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
Chalk paths in the warrenGeoDiversityOur new National Lottery Heritage Fund project to help more people discover their local incredible geodiversity and explore personal stories and connections with the landscape.Save GeoDiversity to favourites
White Cliffs of Dover, with the sea on the right, on a sunny day. With wild flowers in the foreground.Geopark AmbassadorsWe are building a network of Geopark Ambassadors who are committed to respecting the environment, to sustainable tourism, and the development of the local economySave Geopark Ambassadors to favourites
Children geocaching in the woods.Geopark Education ResourcesEducational resources that have been designed to help individuals, teachers, home schoolers and lifelong learners understand and value the geodiversity, biodiversity and cultural stories of…Save Geopark Education Resources to favourites
Marshy LandWalking tagsSt Margarets Bay walk – guarding the gatewayThis 4.7 mile King Charles III England Coastal Path circular walk, much of it along quiet roads where the going is very easy, is dotted… St Margaret-at-CliffeSave St Margarets Bay walk – guarding the gateway to favourites
Three walkers with dog walking in front of white lighthouseWalking 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
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
Footpath through ancient woodland in autumnParks & open spaces tagsAshenbank Wood Ancient WoodlandAshenbank Wood is a peaceful ancient woodland in Gravesend home to rare animals and plants, including a dazzling bluebell display in spring. GravesendSave Ashenbank Wood Ancient Woodland to favourites

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 examplesArts & CraftsMosaic Makers in NatureLearn the ancient art of mosaic on this nature experience in the Kent Downs AONB, with afternoon tea included. 4 hours £100 per personSave Mosaic Makers in Nature to favourites
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
Arts & CraftsThis Art of MineExperience the joy of working with clay in the calm and inspiring surroundings of the Kent countryside. Create your own platter to take home, before…Save This Art of Mine to favourites
Food & DrinkOut to the Woods – Chapattis on a ChulaLearn traditional Indian cooking techniques and tools — in the heart of Kent’s woodlands! Learn how to follow ancient recipes to make delicious wood-fired chapatis…Save Out to the Woods – Chapattis on a Chula to favourites
Outdoor ActivitiesNatural PathwaysDiscover what it was like to be a traditional woodsman and immerse yourself in the culture, myth and folklore around Kent's ancient Great Oak trees.Save Natural Pathways to favourites
WellbeingThe View over the WallConnect with nature, heritage and wellbeing on an awakening guided walk through the most beautiful landscapes in the Kent Downs. 3-4 hours £35 per personSave The View over the Wall to favourites
Show all experiences

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.

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
North 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
Cycling tagsHorse riding tagsItinerary tagsNorth Downs Way Riders’ RouteGet on your bike to experience 1000s of years of history on the magnificent North Downs Way National Trail Riders' Route through the Kent Downs… DoverSave North Downs Way Riders’ Route to favourites
North Downs Way wooden sign, with person walking in distance across grass field. Sunny day.Find a North Downs Way AmbassadorOur trained North Downs Way ambassadors are passionate and knowledgable. Find an ambassador near you and enjoy exploring the trail.Save Find a North Downs Way Ambassador 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.

Cycling tagsCathedral to Coast cycle ride – Canterbury to DoverUndertake your own Pilgrim's Progress on this marvellous 50 mile (80km) circular ride using Regional Routes 16 and 17 linking Dover, Canterbury and Folkestone. Canterbury, Dover, FolkestoneSave Cathedral to Coast cycle ride – Canterbury to Dover to favourites
Marshy LandWalking tagsSt Margarets Bay walk – guarding the gatewayThis 4.7 mile King Charles III England Coastal Path circular walk, much of it along quiet roads where the going is very easy, is dotted… St Margaret-at-CliffeSave St Margarets Bay walk – guarding the gateway to favourites
Beaches 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
Beaches tagsFolkestone BeachThis fantastic family bay is a great place to go swimming, visit the mermaid café, and play in the adventure playground in the Lower Leas… FolkestoneSave Folkestone Beach to favourites
Single storey white and grey holiday home. Gravel and trees surrounding: The Snuggery.Walking tagsExplore SevenoaksExplore Sevenoaks which holds some of England’s most enchanting places, such as stunning stately homes and beautiful gardens, as well as the picturesque landscapes of… SevenoaksSave Explore Sevenoaks to favourites
Walking tagsHythe to Folkestone Walk: Art & NostalgiaThis walk from Hythe to Folkestone gives you the best opportunities to appreciate the stunning artwork which is displayed at Folkestone Harbour as well as… Folkestone, HytheSave Hythe to Folkestone Walk: Art & Nostalgia to favourites
Dover Beach on and sea front a sunny day. Sea on the right, with beach, cliffs and road to the left.Beaches tagsDoverBask at the foot of those iconic White Cliffs and look out across the world's busiest straits. DoverSave Dover to favourites
Parks & open spaces tagsCreteway DownA great place to explore, Creteway Down offers dramatic views across Folkestone and the Channel. The steep downland also provides a habitat for a large… FolkestoneSave Creteway Down to favourites
Three walkers with dog walking in front of white lighthouseWalking 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

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.

Walking tagsWhite Horse Wood Stile Free TrailA short walk of 0.7miles (1.1km) through Kent County Council's newest country park. A longer walk can be completed of 0.9miles (1.4km) if viewing Thurnham… ThurnhamSave White Horse Wood Stile Free Trail to favourites
Camer Park easy access trailWalking tagsCamer Park Stile Free TrailA linear walk of 1.25 miles (2km). The path surface across the park is short grass followed by a hardened surface with occasional stones up… MeophamSave Camer Park Stile Free Trail to favourites
Walking tagsKnole Stile Free TrailA walk of 3 miles (4.8km). Paths continually climb and descend throughout the walk. Admission to park is free. Parking charges apply. Opening times 10.30am… SevenoaksSave Knole Stile Free Trail 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
Samphire Hoe easy access trailWalking tagsSamphire Hoe Stile Free TrailEnjoy magnificent views along this coastal walk through the newest part of Kent. Samphire Hoe has been created from the spoil excavated during the construction… DoverSave Samphire Hoe 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

Samphire-Hoe-cliffsOur 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
Three friends laugh as they walk across open grassland. Two are walking and one in an electric wheelchair.Changing Places ToiletsOur commitment to installing two Changing Places toilets in the Kent Downs National Landscape, working with our colleagues in Kent Country Parks.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
Green Pilgrimage ProjectHow the economic benefits of PiIgrimage tourism can protect natural and cultural heritage.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

View of grass and farm land across the Wye Crown.Farming 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
Trees in Denge wood, with sunlight shining through. Green and yellow leaves.Tree 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.

Lavender fields, with trees in distance and crop fields. Blue sunny sky.Darent 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
Close-up of cornflowers in meadow. Purple flower, with some yellow and red, and white flowers.Farming 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
A man looks at a river with trees across it for natural flood management.Natural Flood ManagementWhat is the best practice in water management on farmland addressing both flood and drought risk?Read more