Samphire Hoe and the Megaflood
- 25 Mar 2023
- 2pm-3.30pm
- Dover
Join a walk around Samphire Hoe and discover how one of the largest mega floods in the world sculpted the English Channel.
White Cliffs Countryside Partnership
Paul Holt, Samphire Hoe
https://www.whitecliffscountryside.org.uk/
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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).
Get GeoCurious this spring!
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.
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.
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
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.
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