Taken from the devils dike, looking towards the west and south west. The iconic worldclass, crystalclear chalk streams of hampshire in the south downs national park kickoff this episode. Against all odds, englands massive chalk horse has survived 3,000 years cleaning up the uffington horse is the neighborly thing to do. 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.
The park comprises of an area of chalk upland whch stretches from winchester in hampshire, through west sussex to eastbourne in east sussex. 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. The spectacular sweeping chalk ridges of the north and south downs with their famously flowerrich chalk grasslands make up this important plant area. 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. Two roughly parallel ranges of chalk hills in southeast england. On the way this loop passes through champagne, chablis and burgundy. Our chalk grassland south downs national park authority. 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.
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 chalk formation of southern england is a system of chalk downland in the south of england. Downs synonyms, downs pronunciation, downs translation, english dictionary definition of downs. See more ideas about chalk hill, beautiful landscapes and landscape. Celtic chalk hill figures, including horses and giants. Englands finest producers of sparkling wine, including denbies on the north downs and nyetimber and ridgeview on the south downs. East hampshire hangers, north downs and south downs ipa. 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. 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. Downland is formed when chalk formations are raised. 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 winds through some of englands finest countryside between winchester and the white cliffs at eastbourne. The downs are more open, bare and rounded east of the river adur at shoreham, and more wooded west of the adur. Comprising undulating chalk downland, dry valleys and huge coastal cliffs, the south downs national park is one of britains most precious landscapes. 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. Differences occur where the north downs chalk is attenuated and marker bands are thus occluded.
The south downs is a range of chalk hills extending some 70 miles from winchester in the west to eastbourne in the east. Buriton and the south downs way hampshire, england. Experience some of our finest countryside between winchester, the first capital of england, and the white chalk cliffs at eastbourne. All three legs extend under the channel to france and in fact they meet up south of paris to form a complete loop. Chalk cliffs south downs east sussex stock photo edit now. 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. Stretching for 100 miles through englands newest national park, to the seaside town of eastbourne, this walking holiday offers a fabulous taste of this. Download the public transport network map and, here.
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. Chalk downland of the south downs national park youtube. Chalk downland learning zone south downs national park. Long distance walkers can get back to the start by train between eastbourne and winchester. Pdf chalk and landscape of the south downs, england. A correlation of the upper cretaceous white chalk formation between the north and south downs is presented. Chalk downland is a big part of what makes the south downs special. These deposits once formed a huge dome of chalk stretching across to surrey and north kent. South downs chalk grassland groundwater cpes interreg. But some of the abstraction points experience high levels of nitrate contamination of groundwater. The north downs extend about 160 km from west to east.
The chalk is highest in the north of the area and dips south towards the english channel. Learn about and revise the various rock types found in the british isles with bbc bitesize gcse geography. 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. Hike ancient paths and unique landscapes south downs way. It requires warm, south facing slopes with short turf and good populations of its sole foodplant, horseshoe vetch. 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. The chalk aquifer of the south downs comprises one of\ud the most heavily utilised and strictly managed groundwater\ud resources in britain. Chalk hills spread their arms with dry coombes between the hills along a beautiful landscape. Today most parts of the south downs chalk aquifer are. It is listed as a priority species in the uk biodiversity action plan. Learn about this special habitat and the wildlife that calls it home in our next minidocumentary.
Pubs, walks, little villages and unspoilt farmland and copses are near the south downs way. 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. 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. Chalk and landscape of the south downs, england chalk and landscape of the south downs, england nowell, david 20070701 00. Although there appears to be a lot of chalk in the south of england, it is rare in the world as a whole. Portsmouth water abstracts from groundwater tables in the area, providing drinkable water to bognors region. 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. Looking out into the calm waters of the english channel from the top of the white chalk cliffs of the south downs, england. The south downs national park is the newest of the uks 15 national parks having only received full protected status in 2011. The eastern end finishes at the sea from east of brighton marina to eastbourne.
Chalk and landscape of the south downs, england, geology. The south downs bewitch visitors every year with their understated beauty. 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. Geology of the south downs south downs national park. Poppies on the south downs england by the anxious gardener. The south downs is a national park in south east england. Ivinghoe beacon the eastern trailhead seen looking north from the ridgeway. Chalk thickness trends and the role of tectonic processes. Chalk cliffs of the seven sisters where the south downs meets the sea hakftg from alamys library of millions of high. The south downs way is one of 16 national trails in england and wales. 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. If you want to understand why you need to get a lot closer. Chalk downland is made up of a mosaic or patchwork, of habitats including chalk grassland, chalk heath, scrub, and dew ponds.
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. A set of top trumps style cards with images and information about chalk grassland specialist species. The south downs chalk grasslands are located in southern england, within south downs national park. South downs national park, england national geographic. Chalk downland is made up of a mosaic or patchwork, of habitats including chalk grassland, chalk. 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. Westerham heights, at the northern edge of the north downs, near bromley, south london, is the highest point. You may be surprised that the naturalist david bellamy has described them as europes rainforests. The chalk aquifer of the south downs british geological. At the western end lie the east hampshire hangers, ancient woodlands that cling to the steep chalk and greensand slopes marking the edge of the downs. 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. Resource finder learning zone south downs national park. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, trail running, and nature trips. A similar figure in sussex is known as the long man of wilmington cut into the chalk on windover hill on the south downs. Areas of downland are often referred to as downs, deriving from the old english word dun, meaning hill. The chalk aquifer of the english south downs is very heavily utilised. A walk through annual poppies in the english countryside. Chalk downs teem with life like no other landscape. About the south downs national park visit south downs. Downs, rounded and grasscovered hills in southern england that are typically composed of chalk. Chalk cliffs of the seven sisters where the south downs. There are intermediate stations at petersfield, amberley, hassocks and lewes that are helpful if youre doing the walk in stages. Chalk hills roll to the horizon, their emeraldgreen pastures glowing warm in the sunlight.
The main areas of chalk downs lie in berkshire, wiltshire, and northern hampshire, with spurs running. At first glance, the open hills of the south downs seem bare. This term is especially used to describe the chalk countryside in southern england. It is divided into five areas defined by a series of roughly north south trending river valleys. Chalk cliffs of the south downs, east sussex, england. 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. Upper cretaceous chalk in the north and south downs. 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. From historical cities to visible prehistory in the. The seven sisters chalk cliffs and coastguard cottages.
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