Leicestershire’s Charnwood Forest is about to step out onto the world stage with an application for a prestigious international designation. The famously scenic area, home to some of the oldest animal fossils in the world, will be applying for UNESCO Global Geopark status later this year. If successful, it would become the county’s first site with a coveted UNESCO status.
Charnwood Forest Geopark has been developed over the past four years as part of a National Lottery Heritage Fund supported scheme, hosted by the National Forest. Working closely with 17 partner organisations, the Geopark team has delivered projects including conservation work, schools outreach, arts programmes, volunteering, and interpretation infrastructure. The Geopark includes well-known sites such as Bradgate Park and Beacon Hill, but also hidden gems like Morley Quarry and Markfield’s Hill Hole.
There are currently 229 UNESCO Global Geoparks in 50 countries, each hosting internationally significant geological features that communities use to support education work and growing the local economy in a sustainable way. Charnwood Forest’s bid focuses on the 560 million year old fossils found in the Geopark, which tell the story of the rise of the first animals on planet Earth.
Dr Jack Matthews, Geopark geoheritage officer said “Since the discovery of our famous fossil Charnia by two schoolchildren in the 1950s, Charnwood Forest has been one of our planet’s most important places to visit and understand how animals first evolved. The Geopark is promoting this fascinating story through new interpretation at sites across Charnwood Forest, welcoming local people and visitors to learn more about their oldest animal ancestors, and support local businesses while they’re here. From rocks and fossils, to our unique human history, and biodiversity, Charnwood Forest has many layers of heritage, and with UNESCO Global Geopark status we can share these with even more people.”
The Geopark has a thriving group of volunteers helping to manage sites across the area, as well as a growing Geopartner Network of businesses and community organisations who are supporting Charnwood Forest’s UNESCO bid. As we launch our bid to become a UNESCO Global Geopark, we hope people will want to get more involved in all things Charnwood Forest: you can sign up to our newsletter, become a Geopark Volunteer, or, if you help run an organisation, register to become part of the Geopartner Network!
Cllr Cartwright, chair of the Geopark’s board said: “This is an exciting time for Charnwood Forest and all of Leicestershire. The partner organisations behind Charnwood Forest Geopark have long been working hard to conserve our heritage, share our unique story, and grow the local economy. UNESCO Global Geopark status will give Charnwood Forest the international recognition it deserves, helping us to further protect and celebrate our unique geological story. Such enormous effort has gone into this by so many people and I would like to thank you all, including the committee, volunteers, and delivery team. Together we are stronger, keep up the great work.”
The Geopark team will be submitting the application to UNESCO later this year, and in 2026 two international evaluators will visit to judge if the region meets the high standards of a Global Geopark. If all goes well, Charnwood Forest will be awarded the status when the UNESCO Executive Board meets in the spring of 2027.