ENGLISH RIVIERA GLOBAL GEOPARK

Welcome Back!

As restrictions continue to ease, many of our partner sites have either reopened or are planning to open over the next few weeks. While this is excellent news, we would highly recommend that you check their reopening plans and any additional safety procedures they have put in place ahead of your visit.

These may include limited opening hours and the need to pre-book your visit, as well as a limit placed on the number of people you can have in your party. We would also suggest that you keep an eye on the latest government guidelines and the Responsible Riviera campaign.

You can find out more information on our Welcome Back page.  

 




UNESCO Global Geoparks share the story of our Planet.

A Geopark is an area of globally recognised, unique geological interest designated by UNESCO.  A place where you can touch a very special part of the Earth's story and be amazed by the extraordinary landscapes, mountains, coastlines, places and people. 

Our Geopark, covering the entire area of Torbay, is Naturally Inspiring.  It shares stories of a landscape untouched by glaciation unseen elsewhere in the world. Stories of tropical seas and scorching deserts, raised beaches and drowned forests, hippopotami and mammoth, straight-tusked elephant and sabre-toothed tiger, cave bear and earliest man...

News from the Geopark

15 Jul

MINI GEOPARK FESTIVAL HAILED A GREAT SUCCESS

Our Geopark Partners rallied togther to make this scaled down version of the annual festival a big success.
26 May

Mini Geopark Festival

This mini event, which has been scaled down due to COVID restrictions, still features a whole host of activities and events celebrating our global status. It’s our chance to show how all of our partners work together to showcase the wonders of the Geopark.
4 Dec

Visual Guides reassure as English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark Sites re-open

The English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark has worked with partners and Living Options, an Exeter based charity, to create a suite of ten visual guides to help people feel comfortable and confident when they visit sites around the Geopark.
10 Nov

English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark launches video series on World Science Day to unravel the facts behind the UNESCO designation

Over the seven Geopark In Focus episodes Professor Iain Stewart MBE engages in relaxed discussions with fascinating people, each with a different insight into why this coastal area of England is so unique.
13 Jul

UNESCO status assured for another four years after inspections.

Following an intense series of inspections last summer it can finally be announced that the status of the English Riviera UNESCO Geopark has been assured.
2 Jul

Geopark coordinates special opportunities for people who have been shielding

As COVID-19 lockdown restrictions continue to ease, the English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark have been working with its partners to provide dedicated opening times and tours at tourist attractions, museums, activity companies and nature sites around Torbay for the more vulnerable members of the local community.
25 Jun

UNESCO sites lead the way on sustainable development and create value for communities across the UK

Published today (25 June 2020) by the UK National Commission for UNESCO, new research shows UNESCO projects can help build a greener, more equal and more peaceful world, while also creating financial value.
1 Apr

Key Partner South Devon College wins national apprenticeship award

Key Partner South Devon College nationally recognised for its 'Outstanding Contribution to the Development of Apprenticeships'. 
 More news...

Events in the Geopark

9 Apr -
5 Sep

Windows in Time: Images on the Street

Torquay Museum
A Free Exhibition Celebrating Local Heritage through Historic Images on the Streets of Torbay....
10 Jun -
31 Dec

Woodland Trail

Kents Cavern
In the Stone Age, Britain was covered in wooded areas, they were perfect settings to set up camp...
12 Jun -
4 Sep

The Secret Museum Exhibition

Torquay Museum
'The Secret Museum' is our 175th anniversary exhibition and will be a unique opportunity for some...
3 Jul -
30 Aug

Journey: Mayflower 400

Torre Abbey
The Tamar Valley Printmakers (UK) and the Cape Cod Printmakers (USA) are presenting a new body of...
6 Jul -
6 Sep

Heritage Audio Walks

Starts and finished at Torre Abbey
As part of the Torbay Connecting Actively to Nature programme, the team at Torre Abbey have...
3 Aug

Illyria Outdoor Theatre: Much Ado About Nothing

Cockington Court
Claudio loves Hero, and Benedick hates Beatrice. This is just as well, because Hero loves Claudio...
30 Aug

Illyria Outdoor Theatre - HMS Pinafore

Cockington Court
Set on board the warship HMS Pinafore, the opera cheerfully mocks such Great British institutions...
9 Sep -
9 Dec

Devon Heritage Centre Visits

Torre Abbey
Devon Heritage Centre archive visits Returning for 2021, it will once again be possible for...
11 Sep -
28 Nov

Agatha Christie: Destination Unknown.

Torre Abbey
A journey in poetry, pictures, and archaeology A new exhibition about Agatha Christie will open...
11 - 18 Sep

International Agatha Christie Festival 2021

Torre Abbey and across the English Riviera
After an online existence in 2020, which marked 30 years since it was first held, the...