Cambs Geosites: Local Geological Sites
So far, we have 8 designated LGS in Cambridgeshire and 19 ‘candidate’ LGS. Work is ongoing to put more forward for designation.
Jurassic clays and limestones, Cretaceous clays, sandstones and chalk and significant Quaternary deposits from both the Pleistocene and the Holocene – these all contribute to the fascinating geology of the county. The Quaternary deposits of the Fens are of particular importance due to their record of geologically recent climate and landscape change. Brickmaking, quarrying for ‘clunch’, coprolite digging, gravel extraction, peat digging and land drainage on an immense scale have all transformed the landscape and played a major role in creating a rich local culture that is only now being revealed.
The Fen Edge Trail A journey across a landscape and time
The Fen Edge Trail is our exciting project linking the geology and landscapes of the Fen Edge to the local history, culture and wildlife. List of walks and Walk Guides for download
Taking the 5 metre contour as a guide, the main Trail takes you from the border with Lincolnshire, in the north west, to the border with Suffolk in the south east. In addition, there will be walks around several of the ‘fen islands’ including Whittlesey, Thorney, Chatteris, March (including Wimblington and Doddington) and the Isle if Ely (including Littleport). There will also be a walk around Wisbech, a once-famous port, which has some land above 5 metres.
The map shows the 11 walks that are already published, the 9 others that are due soon and 22 others currently being developed. The routes of the remaining walks are not yet planned. Our Fen Edge Trail team of volunteers often works in partnership with a local organisation relevant to each walk.
© Cambridgeshire Geological Society