EAST CLIFF & WARREN COUNTRY PARK

"....how, in short, he was for an hour or two in the enjoyment of such bliss as can be enjoyed only in communion with Nature .... If you gentle reader, would wish for such pleasure as was evidenced by these private demonstrations, it is attainable on the Warren, which I counsel you strongly to visit, not once, nor twice, but often."

The Rambles of a Naturalist Round Folkestone Etc by H. Ullyett B.sc. (1880)

The East Cliff & Warren Country Park is a wonderful place to discover the wildlife of the white cliffs of the Heritage Coast.

It is of national importance for wildlife and for the importance of its geology, and is protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).  Part of the site has been declared a Country Park and Local Nature Reserve.

The Warren is formed from a series of landslips that have taken place over the last 200 years or so.  The last great landslip was in 1915, since when the sea defences to protect the Dover-Folkestone railway line, have stabilised the coast.  These landslips are of great interest to geomorphologists and the original description of the geology of the upper chalk was made here.  The Warren is one of the best sites in Southern England to find fossils.

The Warren Halt railway station was once a popular stop in the heart of the Warren, before it was closed to the public in 1939.

The Warren was once chalk grassland, and there are photographs that show that around 1920 there were virtually no trees here.  In 1924, the land was gifted to the people of Folkestone and grazing animals were banned, allowing shrubs and trees to spread.  There are still patches of flower-rich grassland and there are many rare insects recorded here.  For example, this is the only site left in Kent where the grayling butterfly can be found. The White Cliffs Countryside Project (WCCP) assisted by local volunteers are working to keep open the remaining areas of chalk grassland, and have created open grassy corridors along the footapths to enable wild flowers and insects to survive and move around the different parts of the nature reserve. 

Look out for the 3 Martello Towers on the East Cliff, which were built in 1804-9 to help defend Folkestone against the threatened invasion by the French led by Napoleon. Number 1 & 3 are clearly visible, number 2 is 'hidden' amongst the houses on Wear Bay Road. Number 3 is situated on the golf course and nearby is an interpretation panel which explains about the Roman Villa that once stood here.  You can sometimes see the outline of the villa in the grass in a dry summer.

There are a series of walks through The Warren, which are maintained by WCCP.  There is a free colour leaflet which shows the various paths. 

Try the Four Seasons Trail, a short walk in The Warren with a series of interpretation panels that change with the four seasons.  The Trail starts from the Disabled Car Park within The Warren.

The WCCP also organises regular guided walks and children's activities at The Warren, to enable you to find out more about the wildlife and history of this dramatic site.  Further information from the Events section or you can Contact Us (01303 274806).

Many pictures of the Warren and East Cliff, past and present may be found HERE