Landscape connected by the sea bid for UNESCO Global Geopark status  

A stretch of coastline and countryside linking southern England and northern France could become the first-of-its-kind UNESCO Global Geopark to span the sea. 

The Cross‑Channel Geopark submitted its formal application to UNESCO in Paris on 28 November 2025, marking a historic milestone for communities, landowners, businesses, and ambassadors on both sides of the Channel. The project celebrates landscapes that tell the story of deep geological time and centuries of human history. 

The Geopark brings together the Kent Downs National Landscape in England and the Parc naturel régional des Caps et Marais d’Opale in France. Both areas feature chalk cliffs, rolling downlands, and fossil-rich sites that were once part of a single ridge beneath ancient seas. Around 450,000 years ago, a megaflood carved the English Channel, leaving coastlines such as the White Cliffs of Dover and Cap Blanc‑Nez, which still mirror each other across the water. 

A UNESCO Global Geopark is an internationally recognised site where geology, heritage, and communities come together to promote education, conservation, sustainable tourism, and community engagement. If approved, Cross-Channel Geopark would join 213 UNESCO Global Geoparks worldwide and become the first-of-its-kind to connect landscapes across a sea. 

People who visit the aspiring Geopark can explore 45 geosites across France, England, and the Channel, discover fossil-rich sites, wander historic towns, and learn how the land beneath their feet has shaped the environment, wildlife, and human culture. The project has installed 20 interpretation panels and run 321 workshops, supporting community engagement and education.  

On the educational side, 6,500 schoolchildren from 95 schools have participated in Geopark programmes, while 75 trained Geoambassadors support wider community and visitor engagement, sharing the stories of these remarkable landscapes. Together, these programmes and initiatives lay the groundwork for long-term protection, improved public access, and opportunities for learning and enjoyment across both sides of the sea. 

UNESCO evaluators are expected to visit between May and July 2026 to review geosites, conservation work, educational activities, and community projects. Preparations are already underway to further improve access at key sites and expand the network of Geopark Ambassadors. 

Nick Crane, President of the Cross‑Channel Geopark, said the landscapes of the project are among the most remarkable he has encountered. “I’ve spent my life exploring the landscapes of Britain and beyond, and I can say with certainty the Cross‑Channel Geopark is exceptional. Linked by the Channel itself, these are landscapes like no other, and they tell a shared story of nature and human history,” he said.  

Support the Cross-Channel Geopark
Businesses, organisations, and community groups that share a commitment to heritage, landscapes, education, and sustainable development are invited to support the Geopark. Signing one of the Charters on the Cross-Channel Geopark website strengthens the UNESCO application and helps secure long-term benefits for both people and landscapes. 

Support ensures these landscapes are protected, celebrated, and enjoyed for generations while connecting communities with their rich geological and cultural heritage.