. 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 is 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 is typically tilted, chalk downland formations often have a marked scarp slope on one side, which is very steep, and a dip slope on the… (More on Downland)