Home

    Cross-Channel Geopark

    The Cross-Channel Geopark is the first transnational geopark in the world to span a body of water. It unites the chalk landscapes of Kent in the UK with those of Pas de Calais in northern France, creating one continuous story of 400 million years of natural history. 

    From the iconic White Cliffs of Dover to the soaring cliffs of Cap Blanc-Nez, the chalk, fossils, flint bands, soils, and species here all share a common origin. The Geopark celebrates this unique geological, ecological, and cultural heritage, while connecting communities on both sides of the Channel. 

    The Geopark is working towards UNESCO Global Geopark status, recognising the international importance of this landscape and their commitment to conservation, education, and public engagement. 

    What the Geopark is 

    The Cross-Channel Geopark is made up of a network of Geosites, carefully selected places of geological, ecological, and cultural significance. Each site tells a different chapter of the Geopark story, from chalk escarpments and fossil-rich cliffs to historic quarries and natural habitats. 

    These sites are living classrooms where you can: 

    • Walk along ancient chalk ridges 

    • Handle fossils 

    • Discover rare wildlife 

    • Learn how people have lived with the land for centuries 

    Every Geosite shows the connections between geology, biodiversity, heritage, and human activity, and together they form the heart of the Geopark. 

    The White Cliffs Countryside Partnership manages three Geosites: Folkestone Downs, Folkestone Warren and Samphire Hoe.

    Why the Geopark matters 

    The Cross-Channel Geopark is not just about rocks and fossils. It’s a living, shared landscape where geology shapes human activity and communities shape nature. 

    The White Cliffs Countryside Partnership is working with the Cross-Channel Geopark to: 

    • Protect rare chalk habitats and fragile coastal landscapes 

    • Monitor and conserve species found on both sides of the Channel 

    • Connect local people to an international story 

    • Provide education, engagement, and public access 

    • Support the UNESCO Global Geopark accreditation 

    Visiting the Geopark is an opportunity to experience a landscape that spans countries, centuries, and the forces of nature itself.

    To find out more visit the Cross-Channel Geopark website.