Understand
UNESCO assessors visit Kent in bid for Cross-Channel Geopark status
Overview
UNESCO assessors have visited the Kent Downs National Landscape as part of an international bid to establish the aspiring Cross-Channel Geopark, which spans the UK and northern France based on shared chalk geology.
Key points
- UNESCO assessors visited the Kent Downs National Landscape to evaluate the aspiring Cross-Channel Geopark bid.
- The proposed geopark spans the Kent Downs, the English Channel, and northern France due to shared chalk geology.
- Scientists believe a massive flood 450,000 years ago and subsequent sea-level changes shaped the landscapes of Kent and northern France.
- Supporters state that achieving UNESCO status would boost education, conservation, and sustainable tourism.
- A final decision regarding the Cross-Channel Geopark bid is anticipated in 2027.