A Cross-Channel Vision: What the Geopark Could Mean for Kent

Most Geoparks are defined by a single landscape or region within one country. The Cross-Channel Geopark is something genuinely different. If successful in achieving UNESCO Global Geopark status, it would become the first Geopark in the world to connect two countries across open sea, linking the chalk landscapes of Kent with the Pas-de-Calais region of northern France.

The geological story underpinning the Geopark is a remarkable one. The white cliffs of Dover and the Cap Blanc-Nez in France are not just visually similar, they are part of the same ancient chalk formation, shaped over hundreds of millions of years before the Channel as we know it even existed. The Geopark brings that shared story to the surface, inviting visitors to see the landscape differently and to understand the deep connection between these two places.

It is also unusual in its ambition. Rather than simply protecting a landscape, the Cross-Channel Geopark is designed to encourage a more sustainable, considered way of travelling, one rooted in nature, heritage and genuine engagement with place.

Yes, and this is one of the things that makes the Cross-Channel Geopark so exciting. The intention is for the Geopark to be explored on both sides of the Channel, with Kent and the Pas-de-Calais region offering complementary landscapes, histories and experiences as part of one connected journey.

Practically speaking, crossing from Kent to France is straightforward. The Eurotunnel from Folkestone takes around 35 minutes, and Eurostar from Ebbsfleet connects to Calais and the wider Pas-de-Calais region with ease. For those who prefer the sea, ferry crossings from Dover to Calais or Dunkirk remain a well-travelled route and, for a Geopark visit, feel like a fitting way to experience the Channel itself as part of the journey.

Whether you choose to base yourself in Kent and take a day trip across, or build a longer trip that spans both sides, the crossing is well within reach and adds a genuinely special dimension to the experience.

At this year’s Sustainable Tourism Conference, one of the most memorable insights came from a speaker with experience of cross-county Geoparks in Ireland. The recommendation was clear: visitors should aim to spend a minimum of 72 hours, at least three nights, to do a Geopark justice.

The reasoning makes complete sense. A Geopark is not somewhere you drive through and tick off. It is somewhere you walk, explore, pause and return to. There is so much to see, from wildlife to the original chalk and it’s almost impossible to do this in one day! The landscapes of Kent alone, from the chalk downland of the North Downs to the shingle stretches of Dungeness and the coastline around Deal and Folkestone, reward time and attention. Add the possibility of crossing to northern France and the experience becomes something richer still.

Three nights also aligns with the sustainable travel principles at the heart of the Geopark. Longer stays mean fewer journeys, a smaller footprint, and a more meaningful connection with the places you visit. They also give local businesses, producers, pubs and independent shops the chance to genuinely benefit from tourism, rather than simply being passed through.

If you are planning a visit, we would always suggest building in at least a long weekend. Base yourself somewhere well-placed in Kent, take your time, and let the landscape lead your way.

The honest answer is both, and that is one of its great strengths.

For families, the landscapes of Kent offer an enormous amount. Coastal walks with dramatic cliff views, rock pooling, cycling routes through the countryside, visits to historic castles and harbours, and the simple joy of open space and fresh air. The Geopark adds an educational layer to all of this, giving children a way to connect what they can see with a much bigger story about how the earth has changed over time. It makes the landscape feel alive and full of questions, which tends to go down rather well with the little ones.

For those who want to go deeper, whether that means geology, ecology, local food, heritage or sustainable travel, the Geopark offers plenty. The conference we attended included a visit to a vast limestone quarry in northern France that is rarely accessible to the public, the kind of experience that reframes the way you see an entire region.

In short, the Geopark does not ask you to be an expert. It simply invites you to look more carefully at where you are.

UNESCO Global Geopark status carries real weight. It is a mark of international recognition that a landscape is not only significant and worth protecting, but actively managed in a way that benefits local communities and visitors alike. There are currently around 200 UNESCO Global Geoparks in the world. If successful, the Cross-Channel Geopark would be the first ever to span two countries by sea, which is a genuinely historic proposition.

For Kent, the implications are significant. UNESCO recognition brings global visibility and draws a particular kind of visitor: one who is motivated by nature, heritage, and meaningful travel rather than simply ticking off a destination. This supports the kind of tourism that benefits the whole county, encouraging people to stay longer, explore more widely, spend locally and return in different seasons.

It also helps to extend the tourism calendar. The landscapes of Kent are beautiful year-round, but the summer months have traditionally dominated. A Geopark, with its emphasis on walking, geology, coastal exploration and slow travel, lends itself naturally to spring, autumn and even winter visits. That shift, if it takes hold, would make a real difference to local businesses and communities across the county.

Perhaps most importantly, UNESCO status sends a signal about values. It says that Kent is not just a convenient escape from London, but a place with genuine depth, one that takes its landscapes seriously and is committed to protecting them for the future.

As a Kent-based business, this feels personal to us.

Earlier this year, we travelled to northern France to attend the Cross-Channel Geopark Sustainable Tourism Conference, held at Maison du Parc in Le Wast. Alongside tourism leaders, local organisations and environmental groups from both sides of the Channel, we spent the day exploring how Kent and the Pas-de-Calais region can work together to build a more sustainable future for tourism. It was an inspiring and thought-provoking day, and one that reinforced why we believe so strongly in what this region has to offer.

Our involvement reflects something that sits at the heart of what Keepers Cottages is about. We are not just a place to book a stay. We are a Kent business, deeply rooted in this county, and we care about the communities, landscapes and independent businesses that make it so special. Supporting the Geopark is a natural extension of that.

Practically, the properties we curate are well placed for guests who want to explore Kent’s Geopark landscapes, from the coast around Whitstable, Deal and Folkestone to the countryside of the North Downs and the Weald. We hope to play an active role as the Geopark develops, helping visitors understand what is on their doorstep and encouraging the kind of slower, more considered stays that benefit everyone.
We are proud to be part of this story from the beginning.