Betteshanger Sustainable Parks with Relic Cliff |
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![]() Grid Reference: TR355540
The scientific study of these rocks and fossils is important to our understanding of the changing climate and the habitat to be found in Kent during the Carboniferous period. The different fossil plant assemblages already found indicate areas of forest, river levees and overbank (crevasse) deposition. A rare, large millipede-like, arthropod fossil was also found. But more work is needed. The tip has now been landscaped to create Fowlmead Country Park, now known as the Betteshanger Sustainable Parks. It is now operated by Hadlow College and provides a range of leisure activities. As part of the conversion a fossil collecting site has been retained, see figure right, a rock store has been created and displays in the temporary visitor centre will add to the value of the site.
An initial section was cleared in the search for the relic cliff (see figure left), but was unsuccessful. If the relic cliff can be found and exposed it will provide evidence of changing sea levels for scientific use and could arouse public awareness of earth processes. Access And SafetyFowlmead Country Park, now known as the Betteshanger Sustainable Parks, and Nature Reserve was developed under the management of the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) and opened in May 2007. Access to the geological features will henceforth be via the country park. Safety at the country park will be the responsibility of the new management. Arrangements for fossil collecting, from the area set aside for this purpose, cannot be determined until the new management has taken over control of the site. For details of fossil collecting events, watch the 'Forthcoming Events' page of this website, or visit the Betteshanger Sustainable Parks website at
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(Regionally Important Geological Sites)
RIGS are geological sites that are important for historical, scientific research or educational reasons.
(Sites of Special Scientific Interest)
SSSIs give legal protection to the best sites for wildlife and geology in England.