Our story

Welcome to the Cross-Channel Geopark

Discover a world where geology and culture meet across borders, linking the beautiful landscapes of southern England and northern France. The Cross-Channel Geopark offers a unique opportunity to explore a landscape shaped over millions of years, shared by two nations. From ancient chalk cliffs to vibrant local communities, this is a place where natural beauty, history, and human connections come together in harmony.

What is the Cross-Channel Geopark?

The Cross-Channel Geopark is a cross-border partnership between the Kent Downs National Landscape and the Caps et Marais d’Opale Regional Nature Park that celebrates the geological, cultural, and historical ties between Kent in the UK and Pas-de-Calais in France.

Together, these regions form a single, remarkable landscape connected by a common geological story and shared heritage. We’re committed to protecting and enhancing our heritage while promoting sustainable tourism and fostering cultural exchanges between our two nations.

We are in the process of applying for UNESCO Global Geopark status—a prestigious recognition that celebrates areas of international geological significance. Having a UNESCO designation would reinforce the importance of our geological heritage and ensure it’s protected for future generations, while bringing worldwide attention to this remarkable region.

The 'Big Bang'

13.8 billion years ago

Earth formed

4.6 billion years ago

 

540 million years ago

The Cambrian explosion of life: animals evolved and diversified as never before on Earth.

Devonian

419 million years ago

390 million years ago the oldest rocks you can see in the Geopark date back to the Middle Devonian. They are still quarried today in the Marquise basin in France.

Carboniferous

359 million years ago

Around 325 million years ago the Geopark was near the equator. The swamp forests from that period are preserved as coal, which was formerly mined in the Marquise basin in France as well as in East Kent and the Nord-Pas-de-Calais.

Permian

299 million years ago

Triassic

252 million years ago

210 million years ago the Geopark was in the centre of the Pangaea supercontinent, and dinosaurs roamed the land!

Jurassic

201 million years ago

150 million years ago the Geopark was submerged under the sea, the sands, clays, limestones, and sandstones that compose the Boulonnais region in France were deposited.

Cretaceous

145 million years ago

Over about 40 million years from 100-60 million years ago, Chalk formed at the bottom of a warm, shallow sea where the Geopark is located today. This was the first step towards the formation of our distinctive chalk landscape, which defines much of the Geopark.

Palaeogene

66 million years ago

Tectonic activity around 40 million years ago uplifted the territory of the Geopark by dozens of metres, creating an extensive chalk landscape that connected France and Great Britain.

Neogene

23 million years ago

Quaternary

2.6 million years ago

450,000 years ago, a megaflood destroyed the chalk ridge connecting Calais and Dover, creating the iconic white cliffs of the Geopark we see today

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Ice Age Fauna Of Northern Spain Mauricio Antón+(2)Our Geological StoryExplore 400 million years of geology, from coral reefs and coal forests to seas and Ice Age landscapes. Fossils and rocks reveal the region’s rich…
Photo 1Explore the Geopark's Hidden StoriesThe Cross-Channel Geopark is full of Geosites, places that highlight the geological, historical and cultural importance of our region.
Management PlanThe Management Plan for the Cross-Channel Geopark outlines the strategies for preserving and enhancing the region's geological, cultural, and natural heritage.
What is a UNESCO Global Geopark?UNESCO Global Geoparks are areas of international geological significance that promote the sustainable use of natural resources, conservation, education, and eco-tourism.

Join Us on this Journey

Are you ready to discover the shared geological story of Kent and Pas-de-Calais? The Cross-Channel Geopark offers an unforgettable journey through time, connecting two regions through their natural beauty, history, and culture – all underpinned by our incredible, internationally significant geological heritage. Whether you’re fascinated by the dramatic cliffs, interested in the fossils they hold, or curious about the stories of the people who have lived in this landscape for thousands of years, there’s something here for everyone.

Join us as we work towards UNESCO Global Geopark status and help protect this incredible landscape for future generations. Your adventure across the Cross-Channel Geopark starts now—explore the land where geology and history unite!

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