Guided Walk: Folkestone Warren Rocks & Fossils Exploration

Event Date: 18/03/2023 12:30 - 17:30

Come and join us on an exciting circular walk from Folkestone Central Station through the town of Folkestone to the fantastic Folkestone Warren. Hear about the human history of the Folkestone, geology, wildlife and the formation of the English Channel by the mega floods.

You’ll see the White Cliffs, beautiful sea views and maybe French coast, plants, animals and find 100-million-year-old fossils. The walk into the warren will, include some steep slopes, muddy paths, about 40 steps and rocky seashore so please bring suitable outdoor footwear and wet weather clothing, hats, gloves. Bring a packed lunch, snacks and plenty of drink.

Distance: about 4.5 miles (7.25 km) total Duration: about 4-5 hours (walk to the Warren (40 minutes), about 2 -2.5 hours in the Warren fossil hunting, (40 minutes) walk back to railway station) Leader: Melanie Wrigley Should weather conditions not be suitable for the walk, leaders will be in touch to advise postponement or cancellation of this walk.

Event Location - Folkestone Warren

Folkestone Warren is a fascinating area of cliff, coast, woodland and grassland formed by a series of landslips. The beach is one of the best places in Britain to find fossils, particularly those of ammonites, and the rockpools can be explored at low tide.

To the north of the railway line and directly beneath the chalk cliffs is the hart’s-tongue wood, an area of humid and undisturbed woodland covered in the glossy-green fronds of hart’s tongue fern. To the south of the railway line is an area of chalk grassland where cattle grazing has been re-established.

The North Downs Way runs along the top of the cliffs and links the site to Folkestone Downs to the west and Samphire Hoe to the east.

The Warren is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Local Nature Reserve and is managed on behalf of Folkestone and Hythe District Council and Network Rail.