Downland, chalkland, chalk downs or just downs are areas of open chalkhills, such as the North Downs. This term is used to describe the characteristic landscape in southern England where chalk is exposed at the surface.[1] The name "downs" is derived from the Old English word dun, meaning "hill".[2]
^Bettey, J. (2002). "1. Downlands". In Thirsk, J. (ed.). Rural England: An Illustrated History of the Landscape. Oxford University Press. pp. 27–49. ISBN9780198606192.
^"down". Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved 9 October 2020.