Perry Wood

Perry Wood

Perry Wood is something of a geological anomaly in the Kent part of the Cross-Channel Geopark due to the presence of the relatively ‘young’ Thanet and Lambeth Beds.

The Thanet and Lambeth layers are the youngest rocks found in the Geopark, dating back to between 50 and 60 million years ago (for comparison, chalk is around 65-100 million years old).

What this means today is that Perry Wood sits relatively high up compared to the surrounding landscape, so there are incredible views on offer in many directions out to the Isle of Sheppey, Wye Downs, Sandwich and Swale.  

As the name suggests, Perry Wood is a woodland, featuring many ancient trees amongst a varied collection of species including oak, sweet chestnut and pine. The woods are home to a range of creatures and plants including dormice, chiffchaffs, bluebells and orchids.  

About Geosites

Geosites are sites of geological interest across the aspiring UNESCO Cross-Channel Global Geopark, where people can visit and interact with our geological heritage. This wide range of sites will offer varying opportunities and values including cultural, heritage, scientific, educational, and aesthetic.

About the aspiring UNESCO Cross-Channel Global Geopark

Hundreds of thousands of years ago a catastrophic flood swept away the chalk ridge connecting Dover and Calais, carving out the white cliffs of Dover and starting Britain’s history as an island.

Did you know the Kent and French coasts are actually still connected today by the layer of chalk which runs below the Channel?

In celebration of the chalk and the channel, we are working to secure UNESCO Cross-Channel 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.

The Geopark will include both the protected landscapes and the Channel connecting them, recognising and celebrating the geological connection between us.