Links

Online resources for Norfolk geodiversity

Building stones

Building Stones of the Gaywood Valley - a web page and download by Ljuba Giles and Robin Stevenson explaining the variety of building stones found in the Gaywood Valley, west Norfolk. This is part of work by the Gaywood Valley Archaeological & Historical Project.
Strategic Stone Study - Information about the use and quarrying of buildings stones across England by local authority. A joint British Geological Survey and English Heritage initiative. Unfortunately Norfolk is not yet covered.

Climate change

Climate information sheets - the University of East Anglia Climatic Research Unit.

Coastal environment

Coastal processes, geological details and management issues of the coastline from Kelling to Happisburgh - the North Norfolk Coastal Environment website.
The Southern North Sea Sediment Transport Study - scientific information on sediment movement along the Norfolk coast.
Shoreline Management Plans - coastal management information on the Environment Agency website.
The Sand Dune and Shingle Network - information about the conservation and management of sand dunes and coastal shingle.

Designated sites and areas

Sites of Special Scientific Interest – maps and designation documents for all SSSIs in Norfolk.
Geological Conservation Review website - information about the geodiversity interest of SSSIs.
National Nature Reserves in Norfolk – list with maps and conservation information.
The Broads National Park – the website.
Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - the website.

Doggerland - drowned landscapes of the North Sea

Neanderthal handaxes found 8 miles off Great Yarmouth coast (2008) - news reports.
North Sea Prehistory Research & Management Framework (2009) - download English Heritage policy document.
East Coast Regional Environmental Characterisation Project - Web GIS maps of seabed off Norfolk & Suffolk coast, with layers characterising geology, archaeology and biodiversity.
North Sea Fossils - a commercial website based in Holland devoted to selling fossil vertebrate material trawled from the bed of the North Sea.
Impact of the Storegga submarine landslide on Doggerland including the Norfolk coast, c.8,200 BP.
'Europe's Lost World' by Gaffney, Fitch & Smith (Oxbow 2009; 2016) - the classic account of recent underwater research.

Early humans

Happisburgh - The earliest humans in northern Europe (British Museum).
Neanderthal flints at Lynford (John & Val Lord).
Neanderthals among mammoths at Lynford (English Heritage) - download the entire book about the excavation for free (19 Mb).
The Palaeolithic and Mesolithic of Norfolk (Wikipedia).
The Colonisation of Northern Europe: the first humans at Happisburgh - video recording of a lecture by Dr Nick Ashton, hosted by Happisburgh Heritage Group, Nov. 2010.
Step back in time - a British Museum blog post by Dr Nick Ashton about the human footprints discovered at Happisburgh, 2013.

Erratic boulders

The Stone Index (Hidden East Anglia) - a compendium of information about notable boulders in Norfolk.
Information about Scandinavian glacial erratic lithologies in the Netherlands - several relevant to East Anglia - is published in 'The Great Boulders Book: Scandinavian Glacial Boulders' by Harry Huisman and Marja Braaksma (2022) - available via https://www.stenenzoeken.nl/.

Geodiversity in planning

National Planning Policy Framework (DCLG 2012) - includes geoconservation policy to replace PPS9 (see section 11 and paras 158 and 165).
Circular 06/05: Biodiversity and Geological Conservation - Statutory Obligations and Their Impact Within the Planning System (ODPM, 2005) - an old advisory document which has been retained for use with the NPPF (see NPPF note 24, p.26).
Local Sites. Guidance on their Identification, Selection and Management (DEFRA, 2006) – information about conserving geodiversity and biodiversity through non-statutory designated sites; this has been retained for use with the NPPF.
Draft Supplementary Planning Guidance for Nature Conservation – Geodiversity and Development in the United Kingdom (UKRIGS Geoconservation Association, undated) - A code of practice for early consultation.
Environmental Impact Assessment: A guide to procedures (ODPM, 2000) - including categories of geodiversity assets for which environmental statements should be prepared for proposed development.

NOTE: in 2012, the following policy documents relevant to geoconservation were

replaced by the NPPF:

Planning Policy Statement 9: Biodiversity and Geological Conservation (ODPM, 2005).
Planning for Biodiversity and Geological Conservation: A Guide to Good Practice (DEFRA, 2006) – the guide associated with PPS9.
Minerals Policy Statement 1: Planning and Minerals (DCLG, 2006).
Planning Policy Statement 7: Sustainable Development in Rural Areas (ODPM, 2004).
Minerals Planning Guidance 7: Reclamation of Mineral Workings (ODPM, 1996).
Planning Policy Statement 5: Planning for the Historic Environment (ODPM, 2010).

Geodiversity groups and societies

Geodiversity in the Arts

Moore - Hepworth - Nicholson - information sheet about the work of these artists in the 1930s using ironstone pebbles from Happisburgh beach.

Geo-education

Blakeney Esker Explored - educational resources about this important Pleistocene landform.
Holt Hall - field course on coastal processes, fluviatile processes, rocks & soils, habitat ecology.
Norfolk Broads Study Centre - geography and environmental studies at How Hill, Ludham.
Norfolk Coast Field Study Guide - information from the Norfolk Coast AONB team.
Prehistoric Flints - resource packs for the National Curriculum via Norfolk Heritage Explorer

Geological conservation

Norfolk's Earth Heritage - valuing our geodiversity - information on policy, threats, principles and priorities (Norfolk Geodiversity Partnership, 2010).
Geodiversity Charter for England - "sets out the clear ambition that geodiversity is recognised as an integral and vital part of our environment, economy and heritage that must be safeguarded and managed for current and future generations" (English Geodiversity Forum). The NGP is a supporting organisation.
GeoConservationUK - the umbrella organisation for local geoconservation groups.
Geological conservation: a Guide to Good Practice, by C Prosser, M Murphy and J Larwood (English Nature, 2006).
Natural Foundations: Geodiversity for People, Places and Nature, by H Stace and J Larwood (English Nature, 2006).
The Earth Science Conservation Classification System – the conservation principles for geodiversity.
How is geodiversity protected and managed? - information on Natural England website.
ProGeo - The European Association for the Conservation of Geological Heritage.

Geotourism

Geology Walks in North Norfolk - led by Martin Warren.
Geology by Public Transport - an OUGS website, including Hunstanton cliffs and West Runton.
Outcropedia – 'a public database of all important and beautiful outcrops in the World'.
Norfolk Uncovered: Norwich Chalk Mines: Harford Hills - a Youtube video about an expedition into the chalk mine tunnels at Eaton, Norwich.

Industrial archaeology and geodiversity

Index for the Journal of the Norfolk Industrial Archaeology Society - index from 1971 to 2008, including brick-making and lime-burning.

Landscape

Natural Area profiles summarising Norfolk’s geodiversity and biodiversity (nine terrestrial and three marine Areas).
National Character Area profiles summarising Norfolk's landscapes, including land use and settlement (ten Areas).
Landscape East (the East of England Landscape Typology).
Geological Landscapes of the Norfolk Coast, with information about four facets of geodiversity in the landscape of the Norfolk Coast National Landscape (AONB).

Magazines about Earth heritage

Deposits magazine - a quarterly, international Earth science magazine aimed at a wide readership.
Earth Heritage magazine - produced twice yearly to stimulate interest in British geodiversity and a broad range of geological and landscape conservation issues.

Memoirs of the Geological Survey

Bennett, FJ (1884): The Geology of the Country Around Attleborough, Watton, and Wymondham. Explanation of Quarter Sheet 66 SW.
Blake, JH (1890): The Geology of the Country near Yarmouth and Lowestoft. Explanation of Sheet 67.
Newton (1891): The Vertebrata of the Pliocene Deposits of Britain.
Reid, C (1882): The Geology of the Country around Cromer. Explanation of sheet 68 E.
Reid, C (1890): The Pliocene Deposits of Britain.
Skertchly, SBJ (1879): On the Manufacture of Gun-flints, the Methods of Excavating for Flint, the Age of Palæolithic man, and the Connexion between Neolithic Art and the Gun-flint Trade.
Whitaker, W & Dalton, WH (1887): The Geology of the Country around Halesworth and Harleston. Explanation of quarter-sheet 50, NE.
Whitaker, W (1891): The Geology of Parts of Cambridgeshire and of Suffolk (Ely, Mildenhall, Thetford). Explanation of sheet 51 NE with part of 51 NW.
Whitaker, W & Skertchly, SBJ & Jukes-Browne, A (1893): The Geology of South-western Norfolk and of Northern Cambridgeshire. Explanation of sheet 65.
Whitaker, W & Jukes-Brown, A (1899): The Geology of the Borders of the Wash: including Boston and Hunstanton. Explanation of sheet 69 old series.
Whitaker, W (1921): The Water Supply of Norfolk from Underground Sources.
Woodward, HB (1884): The Geology of the Country around Fakenham, Wells and Holt. Explanation of quarter-sheets 68 NW. and SW.
Woodward, HB & Blake, JH & Reid, C & Etheridge, R (1891): The Geology of the Country around Norwich. Explanation of quarter sheets 66 NE and 66 SE.

Minerals industry

Biodiversity and Geodiversity: A Guide for Mineral Operators (Cuesta Consulting Ltd, for the Minerals Industry Research Organisation (MIRO); Edition 2, May 2012).
'Nature After Minerals' website about incorporating gains for geodiversity into the after-use of mineral sites. For some silly reason it does not include benefits for geodiversity.

Museums with geology collections

The Norfolk Museums and Archaeology Service makes information about its geological collections available online through 'Collections Online for All'. (Norfolk’s Historic Environment Records database is online at Norfolk Heritage Explorer.)
Ancient House Museum of Thetford Life (White Hart Street Thetford Norfolk IP24 1AA; 01842 752599). Has a small case of geological specimens on display, and more in storage.
Cromer Museum (East Cottages, Tucker Street, Cromer Norfolk NR27 9HB; 01263 513543). Has a new Geology Gallery, with an interpretation programme involving local geology, including guided walks on West Runton beach.
Lynn Museum (Market Street, King's Lynn, Norfolk PE30 1NL; 01553 775001). Has geological specimens in the collection.
Narborough Heritage Centre (The Old Methodist Chapel, Main Road, Narborough, Norfolk PE32 1TE). Has a major display of Devensian fossil mammal bones, including wolf, woolly mammoth and giant deer, found at Pentney gravel pits.
Norwich Castle Museum (Castle Meadow Norwich Norfolk NR1 3JU; 01603 493625). Has a display of geological specimens and the skeleton of the West Runton elephant; has large collections in storage; employs a geological curator.

Norfolk's geology, palaeontology and landforms

Norfolk's Earth Heritage - valuing our geodiversity - a book summarising the county's geology, geomorphology, water, soils and geocultural resources (Norfolk Geodiversity Partnership, 2010).
A summary of Norfolk geology (Natural England).
Geological Landscapes of the Norfolk Coast - a summary of five key 'geological landscapes' in the Norfolk Coast AONB.
Free online geological maps (BGS Geology of Britain Viewer).
Early Pleistocene vertebrates at Norton Subcourse (AHOB project excavation).
The geology, landslides and coastal erosion at Happisburgh and Sidestrand (BGS information).
The Blakeney Esker Explored (BGS information and educational resources).
Field Guide to the Geology of North East Norfolk (information by Martin Warren, including beautifully illustrated information sheets about the geology of the Cromer area: Flint, the Chalk and the Cromer Forest-bed)
Geology of northeast Norfolk: from Hunstanton to Happisburgh (Rocks Afoot Guides).
Chalk East - information about the Cretaceous Chalk in Norfolk and other counties in the region.
On a Piece of Chalk - TH Huxley's classic account of the geology and evolutionary implications of chalk, given at a lecture in Norwich, 1868.
Geology of the Gaywood Valley - a virtual tour of geological features of the Gaywood Valley using Google Earth.
An Account of Large Subterraneous Caverns in the Chalk Hills Near Norwich, by William Arderon, 1748.
The Gaywood River Valley State of the Environment Report (Spring 2012) (4 Mb) - includes information on geological landscape features in the Gaywood River catchment.
A Celebration of Suffolk Geology - 40 papers on Earth heritage, many relevant to Norfolk; edited by Roger Dixon (GeoSuffolk, 2012).
Subterranean Norwich - a book by Matt Williams on the city's underground history, including chalk mining and subsidence (Lasse Press, 2017).
Geology, landforms and land Use in the Gaywood Valley area - web pages and downloads by Ljuba Giles and Robin Stevenson relating to the geology and landscape of the Gaywood Valley, west Norfolk. This is part of work by the Gaywood Valley Archaeological & Historical Project.
The Great Estuary Story - A video about the changing water environment in the Broads 1,800 years ago, when a great estuary extended up the Bure, Yare and Waveney valleys.
A New Map of Norfolk, divided into Hundreds, exhibiting its Roads, Rivers, Parks &c. by William Smith (1819), via Oxford Digital Library.
Geological view and section of Norfolk by William Smith (1819), via Oxford Digital Library.
An Outline of the Geology of Norfolk by S. Woodward (1839), via Internet Book Archive.
Flint-Paramoudra - a web pages by Russell Yeomans devoted to Cretaceous flint, sponges and paramoudra in Norfolk.
Evolution of a Breckland Landscape - chalkland under a cold climate in the area of Beachamwell, Norfolk by R.G. West (2015) - investigating periglacial landforms and evidence for a proglacial lake.
New research into prehistoric pond terrapins by Chris Gleed-Owen, about the Emys orbicularis finds at East Wretham.

River restoration

Norfolk Rivers Trust - conserving and restoring Norfolk rivers and wetland habitats.
Re-wilding the River Bure - video showing the results of low-cost measures to modify river dynamics (working like beavers).
The State of England's Chalk Streams report by the WWF, with a list of Norfolk's chalk streams and assessment of their ecological condition.

Soils

Information about Norfolk’s soils (National Soil Resources Institute’s Soilscapes Viewer).
Details of soil Associations and their component Series (LandIS Soils Guide).
DEFRA policy documents on soils (‘Safeguarding our Soils: A Strategy for England’ and ‘The First Soil Action Plan for England: 2004-2006’).
Frank Ashwood's soil ecology resources.
The UK Soil Observatory (map interface with an online archive of UK soils data from nine research bodies).

Water quality

The Wensum Alliance - monitoring to identify and record pollutants in the River Wensum, and evaluating the effectiveness of measures to reduce it. The project aims to improve understanding of how to predict and control diffuse pollution from agriculture.

International policies

ProGEO Declaration of Reykjavík 2015 - setting out recommendations for valuing geodiversity as an intrinsic part of nature and culture.