The Abberley and Malvern Hills Geopark covers 1250 square kilometres of the counties of Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Shropshire and Worcestershire. The geological and geomorphological significance of the area has been recognised for many years with 13 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and 80 Local Geological Sites (LGS) present.

A huge infrastructure already exists helping residents and visitors realise what a very special area they have in their Geopark. Rocks nearly 700 million years old are represented over the Geopark and a journey across the area will take you through 700 million years of Earth history.

Parts of Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Shropshire and Worcestershire are represented, all linked by parts of the Earth’s crust that were once deep below the ground where molten rock was emplaced in times of violent earthquakes and where later in geological time vast tropical seas teaming with life existed. Later still hot deserts gave rise to the red sandstones we see over much of the area. Inspiring landscapes today are portrayed in the valleys of the Rivers Severn, Rea, Frome, Leadon and Teme.

The outstanding Earth heritage of the Geopark places the area at the centre of international research and national conservation programmes. There is an established and growing education and tourism programme for those wanting to learn more about geology, which is based on geology and landscape trails and guides. Rock and Fossil Roadshows and field sessions are popular events with the general public and schools and a major programme is already underway.

The Partnership Management Team for your Geopark now sets out to work with parish councils and community groups, landowners, the local authorities, museums, universities, schools, heritage centres, visitors centres and country parks to bring geology to as many people as possible and to protect it for future generations to see.

For more information about the Geopark and events, email the Geopark Secretariat or write to:

The Geological Records Centre,
University of Worcester,
Worcester
WR2 6AJ
United Kingdom

Alternatively, you may contact the park by telephone on 01905 855184 or facsimile on 01905 855132.

Much more information can be found on the Geopark website.