Business
Meet our Ambassadors
Your guides to the Cross-Channel Geopark
When you visit the Cross-Channel Geopark, you’re not just entering a landscape rich in natural beauty, you’re stepping into a story of shared heritage between Kent and Northern France. Our dedicated Geopark Ambassadors are passionate experts and knowledgeable locals here to guide you through this cross-border journey. They bring our Geopark to life through their specialised walks, talks, and events, blending local knowledge with the unique geological and cultural ties that define this region.
Full profile details
Ben Crozier
Mythology, history & folklore
Location: Dover, Kent.
About: Ben is a secondary school history teacher and enjoys walking and running in the Kent region of the Geopark at every opportunity. Ben has a YouTube channel which explores stories of history, folklore and mythology of Kent and is keen to share his knowledge on guided walks.
Services offered: Guided walks along the North Downs Way with a focus on history, folklore and mythology. As a trained Geopark ambassador Ben can share the exciting geodiversity and geological story of The Warren in Folkestone.
Suitability: Adults and families with children.
Contact:
Telephone: 07913027038
Email: benjaminjohncrozier@hotmail.com
Website: crozieronstuff.com
Simon Drake
Short walks & geology
Location: Kent; Folkstone Warren, Harrietsham and Lenham.
About: Simon is a research field geologist based at Birkbeck College, University of London where he is an an Honorary Fellow. For over 15 years Simon has been involved in enthusing and teaching first year university students about geology and has led field classes in Kent, Cumbria and North West Scotland. Simon is passionate about getting non-geologists interested in geology.
Services offered: Easy-going, relaxed, short walks (2-3km) around Folkestone Warren to explain the geology and landslip of the area. Around Harrietsham and Lenham; easy-going walks of around 5km explaining the geology and landscape of the area. The onus on Simon’s events will be talking about geology and explaining rocks rather than covering long distances. The walks will assume no previous geological knowledge. As a trained Geopark ambassador Simon can share the exciting geodiversity and geological story of The Warren in Folkestone.
Suitability: Adults & families with children, adults and/or children with limited mobility.
Contact:
Telephone: 07762538457
Email: drakesimon1@gmail.com
Website: simondrakegeo.co.uk
Victoria Field
Guided walks, literature & pilgrimage
Location: Canterbury.
About: Victoria is a writer, poetry therapist, and researcher currently undertaking a doctorate on pilgrimage and transformation at Canterbury Christ Church University
“I consider myself a pilgrim-writer and will include writing and poetry as part of my walks. I assist the Confraternity of Pilgrims to Rome and have had some involvement with the Green Pilgrimage Network. I live in Canterbury so have a special interest in walks in East Kent.” Victoria Field.
Services offered: Guided walks in the Canterbury area during which participants will share and respond to poems and other literature, and have the opportunity to process their experience in writing. The process is open and non-judgemental and no previous writing experience is necessary.
Suitability: Adults only.
Contact:
Telephone: 07887560018
Email: victoriafield376@gmail.com
Website: thepoetrypractice.co.uk
Liz Garnett
History, culture & natural history
Location: East Kent.
About: Liz is a travel photographer and writer who sees Kent as a travel destination. Liz is passionate about Kent’s rich history and believes it has a wealth to offer the visitors from its landscape to culture as well as good from excellent local producers.
“The North Downs Way is a walking artery through the Geopark which leads the walker through surprising landscapes, stunning views, history and culture. Walkers can dip down into villages or towns or take a detour into a lost landscape.” Liz Garnett.
Services offered: Introductions to the history, culture and natural history of the North Downs Way National Trail in the Cross-Channel Geopark.
Suitability: Adults only.
Contact:
Email: liz@lizgarnett.com
Website: www.lizgarnett.com
Michael Harden
Wellbeing walks
Location: All Kent Downs and Surrounding areas
About: Michael is a Director of Wild With Wheels CIC, and a Geopark Ambassador, with 25 years+ experience of working in community, mental health and disability settings.
Michael is passionate about promoting nature, and our wild open spaces as accessible places of enjoyment, connection, rest, and healing, that in both the short and longer term improve our health and wellbeing, especially our mental wellbeing.
Michael aka (Walk Wild), leads and offers a range of creative, accessible walking and nature focused activities and experiences, including 1-to-1 walk and talk, wellness related, storytelling and other themed walks, which can be tailored to the needs of individuals, families or groups.
‘As an ambassador, I want to promote what a beautiful resource we have (on both sides of the English Channel) and to share all it has to offer with you. I look forward to walking or wheeling with you soon.’
Services offered: Wellbeing walks.
Suitability: Families with children, adults only, wheelchair users, adults and/or children with limited mobility.
Contact:
Telephone: 07563877583
Email: walkwild@mail.com
Websites:
www.wildwithwheels.com
www.walkwild.net
www.communitycatalysts.co.uk/smallgoodstuff/directory/walk-wild
Gini Mitchell
Disabled guided nature walks
Location: Folkestone and Dover, East Kent.
About: Gini is a Disabled Rambler and nature lover, passionate about access to the natural world and advocate for disabled and inclusive access in the Kent Countryside and coast and the aspiring UNESCO Cross-Channel Global Geopark.
Gini has enjoyed spending time in the local Kent countryside including the Kent Downs National Landscape since early childhood, and loves studying native wildlife, identifying wild flowers and plants as well as appreciating the creatures living amongst them.
“Since I became no longer able to enjoy the countryside by walking, I became familiar with exploring on an all terrain mobility scooter. I like to meander off the beaten track and overcome obstacles along the way and, with the right equipment and experience, this opens up more opportunities for disabled ramblers to discover.
As ‘Mobility in the Wild’, I wish to share and promote this freedom to connect with nature and encourage others to do so, whatever the ability.”
Gini Mitchell.
Services offered: Gini brings a Forest School ethos to interactive walks whilst connecting therapeutically with the natural surroundings. Gini shares nature based knowledge of the landscape, nature, plant life and wild creatures along the path, as well as some geography and history stories to connect with the locations en route. As a trained Geopark ambassador Gini can share the exciting geodiversity and geological story of The Warren in Folkestone.
Gini has experience of supporting and teaching young adults with learning differences as well as interacting with elderly dementia patients. Gini set up a voluntary family community support group outdoors ‘Nature Fledglings’, during lockdowns to enable therapeutic access to nature in a safe setting.
Through Mobility in the Wild, Gini tailors the routes and activities to be suitable for a range of disabilities including impairments, neurodivergence and sensory friendly therapeutic walks. Arrangements can be made to hire suitable mobility aids and equipment to enable anyone to participate comfortably. Gini holds an enhanced CRB and has an outdoor first aid qualification.
Suitability: Families with Children, wheelchair users, adults and/or children with limited mobility, all disabilities and mental / neural impairments.
Contact:
Telephone: 07789777463
Email: mobilityinthewild@gmail.com
Facebook: /MobilityInTheWild
Scott Ryan
Guided walks & outdoor cooking workshops
Location: Folkestone and Wye, East Kent.
About: Scott’s skills and interests are outdoor cooking and the uses of trees and hedgerow plants for these purposes. Kent-native and school-teacher, Scott has good historical knowledge of the Kent Downs, particularly the Pilgrims Way and Canterbury Tales.
“After 20 years of classroom teaching, I decided to step outside and establish Wild Classroom, an outdoor education business focused on cooking local, seasonal produce over fire. A lot of my workshops are based in the Cross-Channel Geopark and with my own personal love of this unique and diverse landscape, becoming an ambassador alongside other like-minded people seemed an opportunity not to miss.” Scott Ryan
Services offered: Guided walks, outdoor cooking workshops.
Suitability: Adults, families with children, wheelchair users, adults and/or children with limited mobility.
Contact:
Telephone: 07939669365
Email: scott@wildclassroom.co.uk
Website: wildclassroom.co.uk
Explore with the Experts
Join our ambassadors to uncover the rich geological and cultural ties between Kent and France. Our Geopark Ambassadors are passionate about sharing the history and natural wonders of this cross-border landscape. The chalk cliffs that dominate the Kentish coast are more than just picturesque—they tell a story of 70 million years of geological activity, from the Cretaceous period to the present day. And beneath the surface lies an even older history, shaped by the Megaflood that formed the English Channel, dramatically altering the course of human history. Whether you’re interested in geology, history, ecology, or simply love a great story, there’s an experience tailored for you.
- Guided walks: Join our Geopark Ambassadors on an exploration of the stunning landscapes and geological marvels of the Geopark. They’ll lead you through hidden trails, ancient woodlands, and along the iconic White Cliffs, revealing the secrets of the land beneath your feet.
- Insightful talks: Delve deeper into the Geopark’s history, biodiversity, and conservation efforts with talks that are both educational and engaging. Immerse yourself in the fascinating history of the Geopark, from its prehistoric landscapes to the events that formed the Channel. Our Ambassadors bring these stories to life, making even the most complex geological processes engaging and understandable.
- Special events: Throughout the year, our Geopark Ambassadors host and participate in events that celebrate the Geopark’s unique environment. From hands-on workshops to community festivals, these events are a fantastic way to connect with the landscape and the people who love it.
Why Choose a Geopark Ambassador Experience?
An experience with one of our ambassadors is more than just a guided tour—it’s a deep dive into the shared heritage of two nations. From the chalk formations that span the Channel to the cultural exchanges that have shaped this landscape, you’ll gain a profound understanding of the region.
Plan Your Visit
The Cross-Channel Geopark is made up of the Kent Downs National Landscape in the UK and the Parc Naturel Régional des Caps et Marais d’Opale in France, two extraordinary regions known for their outstanding natural beauty and rich biodiversity. Whether you’re a local resident or a visitor from afar, experiencing the Geopark with a Geopark Ambassador is an opportunity to see the landscape through new eyes. Check our events calendar or choose a Geopark Ambassador above and book an experience to discover the wonders of the Cross-Channel Geopark in a whole new way.