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Discover the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) a nationally protected landscape 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 AONB 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.

#UpTheKentDowns

The Kent Downs AONB 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 AONB 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 AONB 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

The Kent Downs Blog & News

Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty Renamed National LandscapesAreas 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
2023, Year of the Coast2023, 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
Kent Downs wins international diversity, equality and inclusion awardKent Downs wins international diversity, equality and inclusion award17th July 2023The Kent Downs has won the first ever Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Campaign prize at the Travel Marketing Awards for its dedicated walking experience for…Save Kent Downs wins international diversity, equality and inclusion award to favourites
White Cliffs of Dover Footpath Gets an UpgradeWhite Cliffs of Dover Footpath Gets an Upgrade23rd June 2023Part of the White Cliffs of Dover has had an upgrade, ensuring year-round access for all.Save White Cliffs of Dover Footpath Gets an Upgrade to favourites
Top spots to watch the sunset in the Kent DownsTop 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
Chalk Hill Figures in the Kent DownsChalk 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
Sustainable Walks in the Darent ValleySustainable 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
Walking in the Kent Downs with Muslim HikersWalking 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
The Best Viewpoints in the Kent Downs AONBThe 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
Ride the North Downs Way National TrailRide the North Downs Way National Trail17th November 2022The North Downs Way is now explorable on two wheels or four legs, thanks to the creation of a new Riders’ Route itinerary.Save Ride the North Downs Way National Trail 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 AONB 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!

"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
GeoDiversityGeoDiversityOur 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
Geopark AmbassadorsGeopark AmbassadorsMeet our Geopark Ambassadors, your guides to the Cross-Channel Geopark.Save Geopark Ambassadors to favourites
Geopark Education ResourcesGeopark 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
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
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
Ashenbank Wood Ancient WoodlandParks & 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 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
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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 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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
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
Find a North Downs Way AmbassadorFind 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.

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
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

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.

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

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
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 AONB, 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 ProjectGreen 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

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
Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural BeautyNatural Flood ManagementWhat is the best practice in water management on farmland addressing both flood and drought risk?Read more
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