List of natural monuments of the United Kingdom
In the UK, a natural monument refers to a geological or geomorphological feature of national importance. They may include natural features like waterfalls, cliffs, caves, rock formations, and even ancient trees. They are often protected for their unique geological significance, historical value, or scenic beauty. The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 protects Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), which can include natural features like geological formations or unique ecosystems.
A natural monument is distinct from a prehistoric human-made monument such as Stonehenge. The UK also has scheduled monuments,[1] which are nationally important archaeological sites.
The following is a non-exhaustive list.
- Geological and geomorphological features
- White Cliffs of Dover[2]
- Brimham Rocks
- Cheddar Gorge
- Durdle Door (coastal rock formation)
- Giant's Causeway (basalt columns)
- The Trinnacle (rock formation)
- High Force (waterfall)
- Jurassic Coast
- Malham Cove (rock formation)
- Old Man of Hoy (sea stack)
- Pistyll Rhaeadr (waterfall)
- The Needles (chalk formation)
- The Storr (rock formation)
- Ancient trees
See also
- Natural monument
- List of national monuments of the United States
- IUCN protected area categories
- Natural Monuments (South Korea)
References
- ^ "What Are Scheduled Monuments?". Historic England. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ^ "The Top 20 Natural Monuments in the United Kingdom". Komooot.com. Retrieved 25 June 2025.