A downland's an area of open chalk hills. This term's especially used to describe the chalk countryside in southern England. Areas of downland are often referred to as Downs. The word 'down' derives from a medieval germanic or norse word — "dun", a hill. Formation of downland Downland's formed when chalk formations are raised above the surrounding rocks. The chalk slowly erodes to form characteristic rolling hills and valleys. As the Cretaceous chalk layer in southern England's typically t… (More on Downland)