The White Cliffs Community Rail Partnership (CRP) has been working alongside White Cliffs Countryside Partnership to develop a programme of five guided walks from stations in Folkestone and Dover for local residents and visitors to enjoy.
The partnerships aim to promote circular walks that not only showcase the area’s local history and beautiful surroundings, but also encourage the exploration of new places through local rail services.
Melanie Wrigley, Natural Environments Partnership Officer at White Cliffs Countryside Partnership, said: “It’s been a pleasure to develop this project with the White Cliffs CRP team. Dover and Folkestone has such a rich and amazing history, and the wealth of natural biodiversity across countryside and coast is simply astounding. This new programme of guided walks will allow people to discover more about the local area through the changing seasons, and we hope to provide access to a range of different scenes that will interest and inspire many different people.”
The whole White Cliffs area is currently an aspiring Geopark. UNESCO Geoparks are defined as areas of geological significance that promote an appreciation of natural and cultural heritage while supporting the sustainable economic development of the area.
Melanie added: “We want to bring lots of different elements of our unique geology to the guided walks – by talking about fossils, rocks and chalk, how the geology of the area has influenced the wildlife and natural habitats within the landscape – we hope to inspire and interest the local community in our natural history and ultimately work towards applying for the official designation of a UNESCO Geopark.”
Both the local community and visitors are encouraged to join the free guided walks that will hopefully help to raise the profile of community rail and walking for wellbeing in the area. The full programme of guided walks are below:
Walk 1: Fort Burgoyne – Saturday 19 November 2022 10:30am-2:30pm
- Register here to book your place.
Walk 2: The Three Peaks of Folkestone Downs – Saturday 10 December 2022 10:30am-2:30pm
- Register here to book your place.
Walk 3: Shakespeare Cliff and Samphire Hoe – Saturday 21 January 2023 10am-3pm
- Register here to book your place.
Walk 4: Shakespeare Cliff and A Hidden Fortress (Dover Heritage Coast Walk) – Saturday 4 February 2023 11am-4:30pm
- Register here to book your place.
Walk 5: Folkestone Warren Rocks and Fossils Explorer Guided Walk – Saturday 18 March 2023 12:30pm-17:30pm
- Register here to book your place.
Keep up to date with future events and walks from White Cliffs CRP on their website.
