Guided walk: Folklore, Wildlife and Medicinal uses of Chalk Downland Plants
Join our ecologist, Mel, as she takes you on a tour of discovery, stopping to take a closer look at the veritable treasure chest of natural medicines surrounding us.
- Booking essential
- Admission applies
Many plants have had medicinal uses, probably dating back millennia, but did you know that many of our medicines today have their roots in common plants? Mel Wrigley will take us on a gently paced guided walk. We'll look at the plants growing in the chalk downland and she'll tell us about their folklore, wildlife, their historic medicinal uses, and how they continue to be used today. The walk lasts 90 minutes and does not go near the cliff edge.
Times
The basics
- Booking details
Call 03442491895
- Suitability
Supervised children and dogs on leads are welcome.
- Meeting point
Meet outside Edith's Bookshop, outside the White Cliffs Visitor Centre, at the start time. Postcode CT16 1HJ.
- What to bring and wear
The walk will take you through grassland and we suggest you wear trousers, socks and stout shoes or walking boots. The weather can change quickly on the cliffs, so please dress appropriately.
- Accessibility
We will be keeping to the pathways through the grassland as it is still the bird nesting season. Some of these paths are unsurfaced, and some will be narrow. This walk may not be suited for wheelchair or mobility scooter users.
- Other
The walk is approximately 2 miles long, with plenty of stops, and will take around 1.5 hours. Please use the toilet facilities at the visitor centre as there are none on the walk route. This is a free event with limited spaces - booking is advisable, although we will accept those who turn up on the day, if there is space. Normal parking charges apply - National Trust members can park for free. The walk will not take place if it is raining or very windy. If there is bad weather forecast for the time of the walk, please check our website and Facebook for announcements before travelling.
Upcoming events
Vintage Book Fair
Do you love the smell, feel, and look of old books? Why not come and browse our large collection of vintage books? They make wonderful keepsakes and are available for sale at a fraction of their online price.
Moth Survey Nights
Most of us know that bees do the vital work of pollinating flowers during the day, but did you know that moths also pollinate by day and night, depending on the species? Join us to see the beautiful multitude of moths that inhabit the chalk downland.
Nature and Horticulture in Dover
As part of the Dover-Book and Tour project, we're delighted to be co-hosting this Dover Arts Development (DAD) walk and talk event at the visitor centre entitled 'Nature and Horticulture in Dover'.
Wanstone Rediscovered - public engagement week
As our three-year project comes to an end, join one of our special guided walks to the Wanstone & D2 gun batteries. See the gun emplacements, buildings and magazines and - NEW - two of the massive shells the guns would have fired.