Location: Fort Burgoyne, Dover

Date: 11th January 2024

Blog Written by: Gini (Disabled Walk Leader/Founder

A beautiful sunny winters day at Fort Burgoyne. Our theme of the day was Rocks and Fossils.

Our 'Bring the Outdoors Inside" Nature Table was adorned with a range of rocks, chalk and fossils found around Fort Burgoyne, Dover, Folkestone Warren, and also along North Downs Way within the Kent Downs National Landscape.

We welcomed Simon Drake -fellow North Downs Way Ambassador. He shared insights into formations of rocks and sediment in the local area. We looked closely at Chalk, Flint, Gault Clay, Greensand as well as other interesting rocks found locally.

We learnt about the layers of chalk and what creatures lived in the Cretaceous period which helped to form the landscape. As well as how geologists age these layers through the Earth's upper crust.

We explored the Fort and learnt how White Cliffs Countryside Partnership manage the chalk grassland around the Fort which hosts a diverse habitat and unique species to the area.

We visited a chalk mound in the Barracks and we studied flint formations. After our walk around the grounds we returned to the casemate and decorated the stones or rocks which we had connected to. We also used the local chalk for art, and decorated black card with stencils and freestyle patterns.

We look forward to Simon joining us at our March Scoot at the Warren. All are welcome as we see the rocks layers in the chalk cliffs. And learn how our coast is connected to France.

📸 Image Credit: Gini Mitchell and Laura