Geosites

Geosites in the Kent Downs National Landscape

Geosites are sites of geological interest across the aspiring UNESCO Cross-Channel Global Geopark, where people can visit and interact with our geological heritage. These unique places represent the incredible variety found in our landscape, based on their geological, educational, or cultural importance.

Together the Geosites of the Cross-Channel Global Geopark tell the story of the whole territory, across Kent and and northern France, and are destinations you can visit to learn all about the aspiring UNESCO Cross-Channel Global Geopark.

Find a Geosite

Discover awe-inspiring cliffs and windswept beaches, tranquil ancient woods and walks with sweeping views, lively local Country Parks and meandering chalk streams and waterways.

Geosite tagsBlue Bell Hill and Culand PitsBlue Bell Hill picnic site is a stunning viewpoint that looks out across the Medway valley and to the Weald. Maidstone Save Blue Bell Hill and Culand Pits to favourites

Geosite tagsBore PlaceBore place aims to inspire people to connect with the earth and each other whilst taking responsibility for our shared future. Edenbridge Save Bore Place to favourites

Geosite tagsBrockhill Country ParkWith excellent facilities including accessible toilets and a great vegetarian cafe, Brockhill Park is the perfect place for a relaxing wander in nature or a… Saltwood Save Brockhill Country Park to favourites

Atmospheric grey clouds over the Wye Crown Memorial

Geosite tagsChalk MonumentsOn the chalk hills of the Kent Downs there are four ‘hill figures’ carved into the slopes of the hills themselves.Save Chalk Monuments to favourites

Coldrum stones on grass, with fields and woodland in background. Dramatic sunrise sky.

Geosite tagsColdrum Long BarrowColdrum Long Barrow is one of the so-called ‘Medway Megaliths’ and dates to 3985-3855 BC, over a thousand years older than Stonehenge! Trottiscliffe Save Coldrum Long Barrow to favourites

A couple sitting on the Downs watching the sunset over the countryside

Geosite tagsDevil’s Kneading Trough and the Wye DownsThe Devil’s Kneading Trough is an extraordinary site of geological significance and the Wye Downs are a fantastic example of how geology impacts upon biodiversity. Wye Save Devil’s Kneading Trough and the Wye Downs to favourites

Front view of Dover Castle, sunny day and blue skies.

Geosite tagsDover CastleThe most famous building in the Cross-Channel Geopark, Dover Castle has an extraordinary history stretching back at least to the Roman conquest of Britain nearly… Dover Save Dover Castle to favourites

Close-up of the painting - portrait of St Martin at Dover's Maison Dieu.

Geosite tagsDover Museum and Maison DieuDover’s history has always been determined by its crucial location on the English Channel, just over twenty miles away from France and continental Europe. Dover Save Dover Museum and Maison Dieu to favourites

Geosite tagsDry Hill QuarryDry Hill Quarry was the first Local Nature Reserve in Kent to be given the designation on the basis of its geology. Sevenoaks Save Dry Hill Quarry to favourites

Geosite tagsFarthing Common and Postling DownTravellers have likely stopped here at the top of the hill and admired the views for thousands of years, and who can blame them?!Save Farthing Common and Postling Down to favourites

Geosite tagsFolkestone DownsThe Folkestone Downs are best known for their stunning views over Folkestone and out across the Channel to France. Folkestone Save Folkestone Downs to favourites

Group of people walking along a footpath beneath the White Cliffs of Dover

Geosite tagsFolkestone Harbour, the Warren & Samphire HoeThe coastal area stretching from the eastern edge of Folkestone to the western edge of Dover is truly unique. Folkestone Save Folkestone Harbour, the Warren & Samphire Hoe to favourites

Geosite tagsFolkestone MuseumFolkestone sits close to the middle of the Cross-Channel Geopark, and its coastal location has given rise to a rich history. Folkestone Save Folkestone Museum to favourites

Geosite tagsHucking EstateThe Hucking Estate is a protected woodland that rewards visitors with stunning views out across the Weald. Hucking Save Hucking Estate to favourites

View of grass fields and trees, surrounding Kit's Coty House. Sunny day with blue skies.

Geosite tagsKit’s Coty HouseKit’s Coty House is one of the oldest man-made structures in the Cross-Channel Geopark, which is thought to have been created around 6000 years ago. Aylesford Save Kit’s Coty House to favourites

Father and son walking along path at the edge of pine forest

Geosite tagsPerry WoodPerry Wood in Selling is something of a geological anomaly in the Kent part of the Cross-Channel Geopark. Selling Save Perry Wood to favourites

Board walk leading to wooden visitor centre with rushes

Geosite tagsShorne Woods Country ParkShorne Woods is a 300 acre country park between Gravesend and Strood with an interesting geological heritage. Shorne Save Shorne Woods Country Park to favourites

Geosite tagsThe Channel TunnelOne of the modern engineering wonders of the world, the Channel Tunnel is the longest underwater tunnel in the world and the third-longest train tunnel… Folkestone Save The Channel Tunnel to favourites

Geosite tagsThe Pines Calyx and Pines GardenThe Pines Calyx is a truly unique, carbon-negative building nestled amongst the white cliffs at St. Margaret’s Bay. St Margarets Bay Save The Pines Calyx and Pines Garden to favourites

A couple walking alongside the River Darent at Lullingstone on a chilly, autumnal day

Geosite tagsThe River DarentThere are only around 200 chalk streams in the world, so the Darent is an extremely unique and rare! Shoreham Save The River Darent to favourites

Geosite tagsTrosley Country ParkOne of the Kent Country Parks, Trosley sits on the top of the Downs with incredible views across much of Kent, the Weald and the… Vigo Save Trosley Country Park to favourites

Geosite tagsWhite Cliffs of DoverOne of the most famous geological features in the world, the White Cliffs of Dover are also arguably the most iconic image of the British… Dover Save White Cliffs of Dover to favourites

Our aspiring UNESCO Cross-Channel Global Geopark

Did you know the Kent and French coasts are 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.

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 involved Save Aspiring Cross-Channel UNESCO Global Geopark to favourites

GeoAdventuresJoin us for this nine month festival celebrating the rich geodiversity of our Cross-Channel Global Geopark!Save GeoAdventures to favourites

Sunset sea view across high chalk cliffs, with the sound mirror on the grass.

GeoDiversityOur 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

Warm light view from shore of St Margaret's Bay.

UNESCO Sites Across the ChannelThis project aims to develop, research, and understand the benefits of UNESCO status for the Kent Downs National Landscape, it runs from 2021-2023 and is…Save UNESCO Sites Across the Channel to favourites

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