Geology tour at Fan Bay
Ever wondered how chalk was formed, why we find flint in chalk and how old the rocks are? Now is your chance to discover the answers to these and many other questions, first-hand, deep inside the White Cliffs of Dover.
The White Cliffs of Dover have been an iconic landmark ever since humans started travelling on water, but few of us know precisely how the chalk was formed, and even fewer understand why we find flint sheets and nodules within the chalk.
Why not join our resident Chartered Geologist, Andrew Coleman, for an hour-long immersive talk, inside the chalk tunnels of Fan Bay Deep Shelter?
You'll see various types of chalk and flint, and you'll see fossils dating back tens of millions of years - to a time when the Earth was warmer, sea levels were higher, and the UK was in a very different place to where it is now.
The content will be quite different to that of our standard Fan Bay Deep Shelter tours, so even if you have visited before, there will be lots more to learn.
You will need to be able to descend and ascend the 125-step staircase into and out of the shelter. The tunnels will be in darkness, and you will be provided with a hard hat and head torch for your visit.
During your visit, you will also pass close to the two WWI acoustic (sound) mirrors, and your guide will briefly explain how they worked and how their position influenced the digging of the tunnels in WWII. You will also explore a geological fault that occurred in antiquity, which the tunnels intersect with.
Image Credit - Megan Taylor
Please note:
- Meet at the Fan Bay Deep Shelter entrance at 9.45 am. Please allow 45 minutes to walk from the White Cliffs Visitor Centre car park levels to Fan Bay Deep Shelter. Note that the additional parking area is not open for this tour.
- We recommend trousers and stout shoes with a good grip, as the stairs and tunnels can be wet due to condensation. Shoes must have closed heels and be fastened. No flip-flops, please. The tunnels are at a constant 12 degrees Celsius and are cool and damp in the summer, so please dress appropriately.
- There is no vehicle access. The path to the shelter has steep slopes and steps and is not suitable for mobility scooters or wheelchairs. Entry and exit is via a 125-step concrete staircase with a handrail. There are two landings but no seats due to the small size of the landings. There are steps to/from the path at the sound mirrors, and there are shallow door thresholds inside the shelter.
- Supervised children are welcome. This is a specialised tour with a qualified professional geologist. While explanations will be provided, some of the terminology and the tour's duration may be challenging for children under 8 years of age.
- Registered assistance dogs only in the tunnels. We cannot look after your dog during your tour.
- You must book a ticket for everyone attending, including free tickets for Adult/Child members, and member tickets must be presented with a valid membership card.
- Normal Fan Bay Deep Shelter and Emplacement entry charges apply for non-members, which you'll pay when placing your booking.
Ticket options
Ever wondered how chalk was formed, why we find flint in chalk and how old the rocks are? Now is your chance to discover the answers to these and many other questions, first-hand, deep inside the White Cliffs of Dover.
The White Cliffs of Dover have been an iconic landmark ever since humans started travelling on water, but few of us know precisely how the chalk was formed, and even fewer understand why we find flint sheets and nodules within the chalk.
Why not join our resident Chartered Geologist, Andrew Coleman, for an hour-long immersive talk, inside the chalk tunnels of Fan Bay Deep Shelter?
You'll see various types of chalk and flint, and you'll see fossils dating back tens of millions of years - to a time when the Earth was warmer, sea levels were higher, and the UK was in a very different place to where it is now.
The content will be quite different to that of our standard Fan Bay Deep Shelter tours, so even if you have visited before, there will be lots more to learn.
You will need to be able to descend and ascend the 125-step staircase into and out of the shelter. The tunnels will be in darkness, and you will be provided with a hard hat and head torch for your visit.
During your visit, you will also pass close to the two WWI acoustic (sound) mirrors, and your guide will briefly explain how they worked and how their position influenced the digging of the tunnels in WWII. You will also explore a geological fault that occurred in antiquity, which the tunnels intersect with.
Image Credit - Megan Taylor
Please note:
- Meet at the Fan Bay Deep Shelter entrance at 9.45 am. Please allow 45 minutes to walk from the White Cliffs Visitor Centre car park levels to Fan Bay Deep Shelter. Note that the additional parking area is not open for this tour.
- We recommend trousers and stout shoes with a good grip, as the stairs and tunnels can be wet due to condensation. Shoes must have closed heels and be fastened. No flip-flops, please. The tunnels are at a constant 12 degrees Celsius and are cool and damp in the summer, so please dress appropriately.
- There is no vehicle access. The path to the shelter has steep slopes and steps and is not suitable for mobility scooters or wheelchairs. Entry and exit is via a 125-step concrete staircase with a handrail. There are two landings but no seats due to the small size of the landings. There are steps to/from the path at the sound mirrors, and there are shallow door thresholds inside the shelter.
- Supervised children are welcome. This is a specialised tour with a qualified professional geologist. While explanations will be provided, some of the terminology and the tour's duration may be challenging for children under 8 years of age.
- Registered assistance dogs only in the tunnels. We cannot look after your dog during your tour.
- You must book a ticket for everyone attending, including free tickets for Adult/Child members, and member tickets must be presented with a valid membership card.
- Normal Fan Bay Deep Shelter and Emplacement entry charges apply for non-members, which you'll pay when placing your booking.
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