Leicestershire’s Charnwood Forest is taking to the world stage with an application for a prestigious international designation supporting education work and growing the local economy.
The 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 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 with 17 partner organisations, the Geopark team has delivered projects including conservation work, schools outreach, arts programmes, volunteering, and interpretation infrastructure. The Geopark includes sites such as Bradgate Park and Beacon Hill, but also the lesser-known 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 the planet.
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 standards of a Global Geopark. This could see Charnwood Forest awarded the status when the UNESCO Executive Board meets in the spring of 2027.
