The Geopark recently hosted two evaluators from UNESCO, who were visiting to region to review Charnwood Forest’s application to become a UNESCO Global Geopark.
The evaluators had a visit to the Mountsorrel Village Museum to see the Geopark Corner.
Over four days, the pair comprising Egidio Calabrese from Italy and Gloria Maria Garcia Hoyo from Spain, had the opportunity to visit many of the sites across Charnwood Forest, as well as meeting people from partner organisations across the Geopark.
The evaluation mission was formally opened with welcoming remarks from Cllr Linda Danks, Chairman of Leicestershire County Council.
The visit wasn’t just about seeing Charnwood Forest’s important geological wonders, but also seeing how the Geopark and partners work together on projects such as education, biodiversity, tourism, conservation, and celebrating cultural heritage.
Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust supported the evaluation with a visit to their Charnwood Lodge site.
Local MP Peter Bedford supported the evaluation at Hill Hole Nature Reserve.
Across the course of their stay the Geopark experts had the chance to visit prominent sites such as Bradgate Park, Beacon Hill, and Grace Dieu Priory, as well as some of Charnwood Forest’s hidden gems like Hill Hole, Billa Barra, and Sandham Bridge.
As part of the visit, Marie from Home Farm Heritage received her Geopartner Sign in her new farm shop.
The evaluators saw the very best of Charnwood Forest’s tourism and hospitality sector, with a steam train ride at the Great Central Railway, wine tasting and tour at Rothley Wine Estate, and a private BBQ at Charnwood Forest Wigwam Holidays.
Loughborough University hosted a Research and Partnerships Symposium as part of the evaluation.
The Geopark is indebted to all the partner organisations who supported the visit, as well as the many volunteers who joined the evaluators for a geoconservation session at Morley Quarry.
The evaluators received a personal tour of Grace Dieu Priory from Trustee Tom Clayton.
We now await the recommendation of the Global Geopark Council in October, followed by a final decision by the UNESCO Executive Board in May 2027.