Guided Walk: Samphire Hoe and the Mega Flood

Event Date: 25/03/2023 14:00 - 15:30

Join a walk around Samphire Hoe and discover how one of the largest mega floods in the world sculpted the English Channel.

Join Ranger Paul on a gentle walk to explore Samphire Hoe Country Park and discover how one of the largest mega floods in the world sculpted the English Channel and even re-routed the Channel Tunnel. Samphire Hoe is a 30 hectare nature reserve created using chalk marl dug to create the Channel Tunnel and in addition to a rich geological history offers impressive views of the white cliffs of Dover. Distance: 2 miles. Each free ticket booked is for one adult. For family friendly events please look out for our Green Gang events.

Leader: Paul Holt, White Cliffs Countryside Partnership. Geopark ambassador.

Meeting point: The Education Shelter at Samphire Hoe

Parking: Pay and display parking £2.00 all day (coins or Ringgo).

This event is funded by Kent Downs AONB and is part of a programme of 'Get GeoCurious!' events taking place across some of Kent's most important geological sites.

Get Geo Curious this winter!

Feel the fresh air on your face and discover the heritage beneath your feet in some of Kent’s most beautiful places.

Join local experts for a free walk, talk, explore, forage, or to learn a new skill all while discovering the renowned and rare geology of the Kent Downs.

In celebration of Kent Downs’ geodiversity, and as part of our bid for Cross-Channel UNESCO Global Geopark status, we are welcoming you to join us for a programme of free events at some of Kent’s most important geological sites. Choose from fossil forays, guided walks across the chalk, river dipping, coppicing, natural arts and crafts, and den making. All led by local experts at nature reserves, woods and rivers across the Kent Downs.

Geodiversity is the silent partner to biodiversity

Geodiversity is all around us and is intimately linked to biodiversity. In the Kent Downs it’s in the soaring chalk cliffs and the intimate microhabitats of rockpools. It’s the foundation of ancient bluebell woods, farmland, wildflower-rich chalk grassland, farmland and vineyards, the expansive rolling views, and the chalk aquifer supplying most of our drinking water.

What’s the Cross-Channel Geopark?

In celebration of the chalk and the channel, we are working to secure Cross-Channel UNESCO Global Geopark status for the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) together with our neighbouring protected landscape in France; the Parc Naturel Regional des Caps et Marais d’Opale. 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. The Kent and French coasts are actually still connected today by the layer of chalk which runs below the Channel, this chalk continues from the white cliffs of Dover towards London and is the foundation of much that is beautiful in the Kent Downs. The Geopark will include both the protected landscapes and the Channel connecting them, recognising and celebrating the geological connection between us.

Events are free but booking is essential, for bookings and to view the full programme of Get GeoCurious events go to www.kentdowns.org.uk/events

The programme of ‘Get GeoCurious’ events are funded by The “UNESCO Sites Across the Channel” (USAC) project which receives financial support from the European Interreg France (Channel) England Program.

Event Location - Samphire Hoe

Samphire Hoe Country Park was created at the foot of Shakespeare Cliff between Folkestone and Dover using chalk marl dug to create the Channel Tunnel. Opened in 1997 as a nature reserve and country park it is now a haven for wildlife and a centre for outdoor learning and events.

Habitats on site include chalk grassland, sea buckthorn scrub, ponds, rockpools and a pebble beach. Paths and a cycle route allow you to explore the site and a tea kiosk and indoor exhibition room with seating can be found near the car park.

The North Downs Way runs along the cliff top and links the site to Folkestone Warren Local Nature Reserve to the west.

We manage Samphire Hoe on behalf of Eurotunnel. For more information visit the Samphire Hoe website.