Dryhill Quarry was the first Local Nature Reserve in Kent to be given the designation on the basis of its geology.
Dryhill Quarry
Dryhill is a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) just outside of Sevenoaks. Dry Hill was the first LNR in Kent to be given the designation on the basis of its geology. That geology is most obviously seen on a large geological exposure that appears as a sort of slanted cliff face.
The main rock the quarry was exploited for was Ragstone. ‘Kentish Rag’ was extremely widely used as a building stone from Roman times until the 1500 or 1600s. Many famous buildings in Kent & London were made using ragstone, including Dover Castle, the Tower of London and Westminster Abbey. In fact, every single Roman or medieval building in London has some Kentish ragstone in it!
These rocks are around 120 million years old and were formed during the Aptian age (whilst this is quite old in the context of Kent’s geology, it’s relatively young when compared to all the other rocks found on Earth). This former quarry has been an important site for the understanding of rocks of this particular age and is considered to be of national geological significance.
Dryhill is a great place to visit with the family, with large open areas and woodlands to explore, and any budding geologists will have lots to discover here!
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.
