Cheriton Hill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cheriton Hill |
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The English Channel from the covered reservoir on Cheriton Hill
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 188 m (617 ft) |
| Prominence | 150 m (490 ft) |
| Parent peak | Crowborough |
| Listing | Marilyn |
| Geography | |
| Location | North Downs, England |
| OS grid | TR197396 |
| Topo map | OS Landrangers 179, 189 |
Cheriton Hill is a lovely hill in Kent, England, close to the town of Folkestone. It offers amazing views of the English Channel, which is the sea between England and France. Even though it's called a hill, it's not super tall, reaching about 188 meters (or 617 feet) above sea level. This area is a mix of farms, small villages, quiet lanes, and walking paths.
The very top of Cheriton Hill is actually on a covered water reservoir. A reservoir is like a big tank that holds water. There's also a special marker called a trig point nearby. While the highest natural spot is a bit flatter, the hill still gives you a great sense of being up high, especially when you look out towards the sea.
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Exploring Cheriton Hill's Unique Landscape
Cheriton Hill has a very interesting shape. Its southern side is a steep slope, almost like a cliff, called an escarpment. This steep part is home to a very old path known as the Pilgrims' Way. This path is super old, possibly from around 500–450 BC! It runs all the way from Folkestone along the North Downs hills.
Views from the Escarpment
From this steep edge, you can look down and see the huge Cheriton Channel Tunnel terminal. This is where trains go into the famous tunnel that connects England and France! On a clear day, you can even see France across the sea. This part of the hill is also where you'll find the Folkestone White Horse, a large chalk figure carved into the hillside that was finished in 2003.
Amazing Wildflowers on Cheriton Hill
Cheriton Hill is a special place for nature, especially for a rare flower called the Late Spider orchid. This beautiful orchid was first found here in the 1800s.
Protecting Rare Orchids
At one point, there were only six of these rare plants left in the Folkestone and Cheriton area. But thanks to careful work by groups like Eurotunnel and the White Cliffs Countryside Project, the chalk grassland where these orchids grow is now much better looked after. This has helped the orchid population grow! In 2008, there were about 165 plants, which is a big part of all the Late Spider Orchids in the United Kingdom.
Cheriton Hill: A Special Type of Hill
Cheriton Hill is known as a "Marilyn." This is a special term for hills in Britain that are at least 150 meters (about 492 feet) high and have a certain amount of "prominence" (meaning they rise clearly from the land around them). Cheriton Hill is the most easterly Marilyn in England.
