The upper cretaceous chalk hills of the south downs form the southern flank of the wealden anticline in south east england, with older wealden and purbeck sediments exposed at its core. Chalk downs teem with life like no other landscape. The distinctive chalk ridge of the south downs often described as the spine of the south downs national park was formed at this time after layer after layer of marine deposits were laid down. All three legs extend under the channel to france and in fact they meet up south of paris to form a complete loop. Chalk downland is made up of a mosaic or patchwork, of habitats including chalk grassland, chalk heath, scrub, and dew ponds. The north downs are a ridge of chalk hills in south east england that stretch from farnham in surrey to the white cliffs of dover in kent. Two roughly parallel ranges of chalk hills in southeast england. A walk through annual poppies in the english countryside.
The south downs is a national park in south east england. From historical cities to visible prehistory in the. The south downs national park is the newest of the uks 15 national parks having only received full protected status in 2011. A recent episode of the bbc countryfile series featured iconic chalk streams, tackling pollution of water courses and the reduction of chemical fertilizers in farming amongst other things. A similar figure in sussex is known as the long man of wilmington cut into the chalk on windover hill on the south downs. Chalk downland of the south downs national park youtube. All key marker bands, the marl seams, flint bands and many of the nodular chalk seams correlate in detail. River valleys snake through the landscape and when the sun sets, the sky is illuminated by millions of glittering stars, perfectly visible in the darkskied countryside. The park comprises of an area of chalk upland whch stretches from winchester in hampshire, through west sussex to eastbourne in east sussex the energetic can walk the entire length using the south downs way. South downs national park, england national geographic. The formation is perhaps best known for salisbury plain, the location of stonehenge, the isle of wight, and the twin ridgeways of the north downs and south downs.
South of the berkshire downs and thames estuary the chalk is deformed into a series of we trending folds and monoclines produced by the inversion of basins and faults by northwarddirected compression, primarily during the cenozoic newell. A set of top trumps style cards with images and information about chalk grassland specialist species. The downs are more open, bare and rounded east of the river adur at shoreham, and more wooded west of the adur. The seven sisters chalk cliffs and coastguard cottages, south downs way, south downs national park, east sussex, england, uk dwmnhx from alamys library of millions of high resolution stock photos, illustrations and vectors. The chalk formation of southern england is a system of chalk downland in the south of england. The iconic worldclass, crystalclear chalk streams of hampshire in the south downs national park kickoff this episode. These deposits once formed a huge dome of chalk stretching across to surrey and north kent. Englands finest producers of sparkling wine, including denbies on the north downs and nyetimber and ridgeview on the south downs. Download the public transport network map and, here. It requires warm, south facing slopes with short turf and good populations of its sole foodplant, horseshoe vetch. Learn about this special habitat and the wildlife that calls it home in our next minidocumentary. The south downs is a range of chalk hills extending some 70 miles from winchester in the west to eastbourne in the east.
It was the first bridleway national trail in england therefore there are no stiles and is the only one to lie entirely within a national park, running right through the heart of the south downs national park. The spectacular sweeping chalk ridges of the north and south downs with their famously flowerrich chalk grasslands make up this important plant area. Buriton and the south downs way hampshire, england. Chalk downland is a big part of what makes the south downs special.
The main areas of chalk downs lie in berkshire, wiltshire, and northern hampshire, with spurs running. Downs synonyms, downs pronunciation, downs translation, english dictionary definition of downs. Our chalk grassland south downs national park authority. Taken from the devils dike, looking towards the west and south west. Stretching for 100 miles through englands newest national park, to the seaside town of eastbourne, this walking holiday offers a fabulous taste of this.
Chalk and landscape of the south downs, england, geology. Comprising undulating chalk downland, dry valleys and huge coastal cliffs, the south downs national park is one of britains most precious landscapes. Learn about and revise the various rock types found in the british isles with bbc bitesize gcse geography. The south downs bewitch visitors every year with their understated beauty. The chalk aquifer of the south downs comprises one of\ud the most heavily utilised and strictly managed groundwater\ud resources in britain. East hampshire hangers, north downs and south downs ipa. Its most obvious feature is the south downs range of chalk hills running from winchester in the west, across the counties of hampshire, west sussex and east sussex, terminating where it meets the. A correlation of the upper cretaceous white chalk formation between the north and south downs is presented. Looking out into the calm waters of the english channel from the top of the white chalk cliffs of the south downs, england. The north downs extend about 160 km from west to east.
Upper cretaceous chalk in the north and south downs. Experience some of our finest countryside between winchester, the first capital of england, and the white chalk cliffs at eastbourne. Against all odds, englands massive chalk horse has survived 3,000 years cleaning up the uffington horse is the neighborly thing to do. Ivinghoe beacon the eastern trailhead seen looking north from the ridgeway. Exploring a landscape that is rich in rare plantlife, unique wildlife, and wellpreserved archaeological sites, this 100mile 161 kilometer hike shows just how beautiful the south east of england can be. The park comprises of an area of chalk upland whch stretches from winchester in hampshire, through west sussex to eastbourne in east sussex. See more ideas about chalk hill, beautiful landscapes and landscape. On the way this loop passes through champagne, chablis and burgundy. If youre looking for attractive wildlife, visible prehistory, fine pubs and pretty villages, or if you just fancy a challenge, the 100 miles of the south downs way awaits you. Chalk cliffs south downs east sussex stock photo edit now. Differences occur where the north downs chalk is attenuated and marker bands are thus occluded. There are intermediate stations at petersfield, amberley, hassocks and lewes that are helpful if youre doing the walk in stages. Pdf chalk and landscape of the south downs, england. Chalk downland is made up of a mosaic or patchwork, of habitats including chalk grassland, chalk.
Chalk hills roll to the horizon, their emeraldgreen pastures glowing warm in the sunlight. With its stunning scenery, sweeping views and breathtaking sense of space and freedom, the south downs way offers a deceptively vast rural wilderness in an overcrowded corner of england. Chalk downland learning zone south downs national park. The chalk is highest in the north of the area and dips south towards the english channel. The south downs way winds through some of englands finest countryside between winchester and the white cliffs at eastbourne.
Chalk cliffs of the south downs, east sussex, england. Natural capital refers to the elements of nature that produce value directly and indirectly to people, such as the stock of forests, rivers, land, minerals and oceans. The south downs chalk grasslands are located in southern england, within south downs national park. It encompasses some of the finest and most biodiverse scenery in south east england and in consequence much of it falls within an area of outstanding natural beauty the south downs aonb and an. Pubs, walks, little villages and unspoilt farmland and copses are near the south downs way. Westerham heights, at the northern edge of the north downs, near bromley, south london, is the highest point. Long distance walkers can get back to the start by train between eastbourne and winchester. Englands newest national park the south downs are a line of rolling hills that run roughly parallel to englands southeast coast and create a landscape of open heath and chalk. Chalk thickness trends and the role of tectonic processes. Celtic chalk hill figures, including horses and giants.
The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, trail running, and nature trips. It is divided into five areas defined by a series of roughly north south trending river valleys. Advertisement take to the trail with our guide to the south downs best walks and discover 260 square miles of spectacular countryside, interwoven with dozens of thriving towns and villages. Areas of downland are often referred to as downs, deriving from the old english word dun, meaning hill. Downs, rounded and grasscovered hills in southern england that are typically composed of chalk. The seven sisters chalk cliffs and coastguard cottages. Downland is formed when chalk formations are raised. Portsmouth water abstracts from groundwater tables in the area, providing drinkable water to bognors region. Chalk hills spread their arms with dry coombes between the hills along a beautiful landscape. South downs way the south downs way starts at the ancient and historic city of winchester and follows the northern crest of the chalk escarpment of the south downs, all the way to the sea. The south downs way is one of 16 national trails in england and wales. This term is especially used to describe the chalk countryside in southern england.
Modern civilisation seems a world away as you traverse this ancient, chalky landscape but real life is rarely more than a mile or two distant. The origin of thelong man of wilmington is obscure but may have been associated with the nearby priory of wilmington which was dissolved in 1414. The groundwater resources have enjoyed a formal programme of management which started in the 1950s, although a number of actions had been taken earlier in order to deal with saline intrusion and potential risk to groundwater quality from urbanisation. If you want to understand why you need to get a lot closer. Resource finder learning zone south downs national park. The chalk aquifer of the south downs british geological.
Chalk downland produces masses of wild flowers like these poppies on the downs kritt downland produserer masser av ville blomster som disse valmuer i downs a walk through annual poppies in the english countryside. South downs chalk grassland groundwater cpes interreg. At first glance, the open hills of the south downs seem bare. Poppies on the south downs england by the anxious gardener. The chalk aquifer of the south downs runs roughly parallel to the south coast of england between eastbourne in the east and pool harbour in the west. Although there appears to be a lot of chalk in the south of england, it is rare in the world as a whole. Hike ancient paths and unique landscapes south downs way. About the south downs national park visit south downs. Chalk and landscape of the south downs, england chalk and landscape of the south downs, england nowell, david 20070701 00.