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Discover the Kent Downs National Landscape, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty stretching from the white cliffs of  Dover to the Surrey and London border. With ancient bluebell woodlands, rugged chalk coastline, internationally rare chalk grassland, and ragstone villages there is beauty to explore all year round.

If you look after land in the Kent Downs National Landscape or you help people to access the Kent Downs, we have a range of grants, funding, and support available for nature recovery, biodiversity, climate change mitigation, and sustainable visiting initiatives.

The Kent Downs Blog & News

A countryside day trip from Canterbury to the Kent Downs 27th July 2026Follow the North Downs Way from Canterbury to Chilham on a scenic countryside walk through ancient woodland, traditional orchards, historic landscapes and the Kent Downs.Save A countryside day trip from Canterbury to the Kent Downs  to favourites
Late summer orchids in the Kent DownsLate summer orchids in the Kent Downs22nd June 2026Discover late summer orchids in the Kent Downs National Landscape, including helleborines and autumn lady’s-tresses. Find out where orchids grow and how to protect these…Save Late summer orchids in the Kent Downs to favourites
Kent residents invited to help shape the future of the Kent Downs National Landscape21st May 2026Public consultation opens on the draft Kent Downs National Landscape Management Plan (21 May–19 July 2026), inviting views on how this protected landscape should be…Save Kent residents invited to help shape the future of the Kent Downs National Landscape to favourites
More blogs & news

Join our journey to UNESCO status!

In celebration of the chalk and the channel, we are working to secure Cross-Channel UNESCO Global Geopark status for the Kent Downs National Landscape together with our neighbouring protected landscape in France; the Parc Naturel Regional des Caps et Marais d’Opale. There will be lots of ways for everyone to get involved!

"A panoramic view showcasing the iconic White Cliffs of Kent. The brilliant chalk cliffs rise sharply from a gently rippled coastal beach, contrasted against a partly cloudy sky. Sparse greenery accentuates the rugged texture of the white limestone, emphasizing the timeless natural beauty that defines this historic Kentish coastline.Aspiring Cross-Channel UNESCO Global GeoparkFind out more about our aspiration for a Cross-Channel UNESCO Global Geopark and how you can get involvedSave Aspiring Cross-Channel UNESCO Global Geopark to favourites
SALT + EARTH FestivalSALT + EARTH FestivalSALT + EARTH: Festival of Landscape, Seascape & The Environment returns this October! Join us for a weekend of artworks, walks, workshops, community gatherings and…Save SALT + EARTH Festival to favourites
A scenic coastal landscape featuring rolling grassy hills dotted with shrubs. A winding path meanders through the hills toward the coastline, where a calm sea meets a clear sky with a few scattered clouds. The soft early morning or late afternoon light creates a tranquil, peaceful atmosphere.GeositesGeosites are places of geological interest across our UNESCO Cross-Channel Global Geopark, where you can visit and interact with our unique geological heritage.Save Geosites to favourites

#UpTheKentDowns

The Kent Downs National Landscape has exactly what visitors desire for all year round, unmissable, sensory, and immersive experiences, where you can ‘live like a local’ and enjoy your short breaks sustainably.

Group of people, walking away from camera, on green fields, with vineyard on the left. Sunny day.#UpTheKentDowns#UpTheKentDowns showcases the Kent Downs National Landscape as an exciting all-year-round destination offering wonderfully diverse experiences.Read more
Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural BeautyTop DownsWe're celebrating 55 years of the Kent Downs National Landscape with our 55 top places to visit.Read more
Close-up action image of person using rolling pin to roll pastry.Chow DownsFind the favourite places to go for a real taste of Kent and try the finest local produce in enchanted locations.Experience now
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Experiences

Discover unique experiences in the Kent Downs with local experts. Each experience offers an authentic and immersive insight into the Kent Downs, it's nature and heritage

Mosaic Makers in NatureArts & CraftsMosaic Makers in NatureLearn the ancient art of mosaic on this nature experience in the Kent Downs National Landscape, with afternoon tea included. 4 hours £100 per personSave Mosaic Makers in Nature to favourites
A Sensory Journey in NatureWellbeingA Sensory Journey in NatureEscape on a sensory journey with Hinoki Forest Bathing. Led by a qualified Forest Bathing guide, you are invited to take in the relaxing atmosphere… Less than 3 hours £35Save A Sensory Journey in Nature to favourites
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The North Downs Way National Trail

The North Downs Way National Trail offers walkers and cyclists 153 miles (246 km) of spectacular scenery, picturesque villages and glorious rolling countryside, passing through the Surrey Hills and Kent Downs National Landscapes.

A wooden signpost for the North Downs Way shows a direction marker for Patrixbourne 4 1/2 miles away, with icons for walking, cycling, and horseback riding. In the background, a narrow road is lined with hedges and bordered by a thatched-roof cottage partially covered in greenery, along with trees. A small sticker on the sign features a person in yellow clothing holding a blue flag.Walking tagsNorth Downs Way National TrailThe 153 mile (245 km) North Downs Way National Trail from Farnham to Dover offers spectacular views and a fascinating heritage, passing through the Surrey… FarnhamSave North Downs Way National Trail to favourites
North Downs Way Art TrailNorth Downs Way Art TrailTrack down the 9 sculptures along the North Downs Way and soak up art in the great outdoors, or as we like to call in…Save North Downs Way Art Trail to favourites
A signpost in a village setting features multiple directional signs pointing to local paths and attractions. The signs include directions to the Darent Valley Path, Toilets/Playground, Otford Solar System, as well as a footpath to the station and the North Downs Way. Additional signs point toward Archbishop’s Palace and the shopping parade. The background includes buildings, trees, and a bench, suggesting a quaint and possibly historic village environment.North Downs Way Rail TrailsIntroducing our North Downs Way Rail Trails – ten carefully curated routes that begin and end at railway stations along the North Downs Way.Save North Downs Way Rail Trails to favourites
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Easy Access Trails

Ideal for people who are wheelchair users, those with pushchairs or just those who like flat surfaced routes with no gates or stiles.

Farming in Protected LandscapesEasy access routesIdeal for wheelchair users, those with pushchairs or just those who like flat surfaced routes with no gates or stiles.Save Easy access routes to favourites
Shorne Woods Country Park easy access trailWalking tagsShorne Woods Country Park Stile Free TrailShorne Woods Country Park has it all: woodland, waymarked trails, a pond, a sensory garden, a picnic area, a trim trail, a café and so… ShorneSave Shorne Woods Country Park Stile Free Trail to favourites
Jeskyns easy access trailWalking tagsJeskyns easy access trailThis all-ability route follows hard fine surfaced paths over gently rolling hills taking in Henhurst Lake. GravesendSave Jeskyns easy access trail to favourites
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Sustainable Visiting & Accessibility Initiatives

Find out about our work to help support sustainable tourism in the Kent Downs and help everyone enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits of this beautiful landscape

Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural BeautyOur UNESCO Global Geopark AmbitionCelebrating and protect our natural and cultural assets whilst contributing to the sustainable development of the local economy.Read more
Person standing looking out over beach, mobility scooter nearby. Clear day with white cliffs in background.Enhancing Access OpportunitesHow can we help to increase public access in the Kent Downs for health and wellbeing where it is most needed?Read more
Two people standing looking at the night sky, through a telescope, in a field with campfire behind them.Sustainable TourismSupporting sustainable, low-impact tourism activities to secure the future resilience of our natural and cultural assets.Read more

Grants & Funding for Rural Businesses

Find out about grants and funding for rural businesses in the Kent Downs to support nature recovery, biodiversity, sustainable tourism

Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural BeautyFarming in Protected LandscapesA grant programme for landowners and landmanagers for projects to support People, Place, Climate & Nature in the Kent Downs.Read more
Two people standing looking at the night sky, through a telescope, in a field with campfire behind them.Sustainable TourismSupporting sustainable, low-impact tourism activities to secure the future resilience of our natural and cultural assets.Read more
Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural BeautyTree Planting & EstablishmentFree and subsidised trees to help protect our irreplaceable trees and woodlands ensuring 'Right Tree, Right Place'.Read more

Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation

Find out more about our work on the ground to help conserve and enhance this landscape, mitigate and adapt to climate change and our aspirations for UNESCO status as a Cross-Border Global Geopark.

Kent Downs National LandscapeDarent Valley Landscapes Partnership SchemeAn exciting large-scale partnership, working to conserve and enhance the distinctive heritage landscapes of the Darent Valley and to connect people to the Valley to…Read more
Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural BeautyFarming in Protected LandscapesGrants to support nature recovery and mitigate the impacts of climate change.Farming in Protected Landscapes
Elham-Valley-close-up-grapesViticultureHow can the growing number of vineyards in the Kent Downs increase in biodiversity and climate change mitigation and adaptation?Read more
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