Abberley and Malvern Hills Geopark
Encyclopedia
Abberley and Malvern Hills Geopark covers 1250 square kilometres in Gloucestershire
, Herefordshire
, Shropshire
and Worcestershire
in England
. It was formerly a member of the European Geoparks Network
and the UNESCO-assisted Global Geoparks Network though withdrew from both in 2008. The creation of geoparks is driven by local organisations seeking to celebrate their geological heritage and achieve sustainable development through geotourism
.
.
(DEFRA) to develop the Geopark Way
which it has now done. This extensive trail uses public transport, cycleways and footpaths and enables local residents and visitors to explore all or parts of the Geopark with ease.
The trail uses existing trails and trackways following the River Severn from Bridgnorth to Bewdley. It weaves its way south through hills and valleys to Ledbury and from there it continues on to Gloucester. The trail highlights the diverse geology found in the Abberley and Malvern Hills Geopark.
Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire is a county in South West England. The county comprises part of the Cotswold Hills, part of the flat fertile valley of the River Severn, and the entire Forest of Dean....
, Herefordshire
Herefordshire
Herefordshire is a historic and ceremonial county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes it is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three counties that comprise the "Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire" NUTS 2 region. It also forms a unitary district known as the...
, Shropshire
Shropshire
Shropshire is a county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. It borders Wales to the west...
and Worcestershire
Worcestershire
Worcestershire is a non-metropolitan county, established in antiquity, located in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes it is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three counties that comprise the "Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire" NUTS 2 region...
in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It was formerly a member of the European Geoparks Network
European Geoparks Network
The European Geoparks Network, often known as the EGN, is a trans-national partnership of Geoparks across Europe formed in 2000 to provide mutual support to established and prospective Geoparks across the continent...
and the UNESCO-assisted Global Geoparks Network though withdrew from both in 2008. The creation of geoparks is driven by local organisations seeking to celebrate their geological heritage and achieve sustainable development through geotourism
Geotourism
Geotourism is "best practice" tourism that sustains, or even enhances, the geographical character of a place, such as its culture, environment, heritage, and the well-being of its residents....
.
Huntley Quarry
This quarry within the Geopark is owned and has been cleared up by the Gloucestershire Geology TrustGloucestershire Geology Trust
The Gloucestershire Geology Trust is a non-profit organisation, all of their money comes from various grants, funds, charitable trusts and foundations...
.
Geopark Way
The Herefordshire and Worcestershire Earth Heritage Trust submitted a successful application to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is the government department responsible for environmental protection, food production and standards, agriculture, fisheries and rural communities in the United Kingdom...
(DEFRA) to develop the Geopark Way
Geopark Way
The Geopark Way is a waymarked long-distance trail located within the counties of Shropshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire, England...
which it has now done. This extensive trail uses public transport, cycleways and footpaths and enables local residents and visitors to explore all or parts of the Geopark with ease.
The trail uses existing trails and trackways following the River Severn from Bridgnorth to Bewdley. It weaves its way south through hills and valleys to Ledbury and from there it continues on to Gloucester. The trail highlights the diverse geology found in the Abberley and Malvern Hills Geopark.