ENGLISH RIVIERA GLOBAL GEOPARK

NEWS FROM THE GEOPARK

13 Mar

Agatha Christie Festival secures patronage from the United Kingdom National Commission for UNESCO (UKNC) in 2024 Agatha Christie Festival secures patronage from the United Kingdom National Commission for UNESCO (UKNC) in 2024

This year’s Agatha Christie Festival, set to take place at a host of cultural venues across the English Riviera from 7th through 15th September, has been awarded official patronage from the United Kingdom National Commission for UNESCO.
27 Feb

Geopark Festival 2024 Geopark Festival 2024

The Geopark Festival is taking place around the Bay from 25th - 31st May 2024. This week-long festival allows you to get under the surface of the Geopark, discovering the essence of the English Riviera, our culture and our history. And this year, it's bigger and better than ever with the introduction of our NEW Geopark Discovery Experiences!

7 Feb

The English Riviera Walking Festival Returns 4 – 19 May 2024 The English Riviera Walking Festival Returns 4 – 19 May 2024

Step ahead with the English Riviera Walking Festival which returns from 4 – 19 May 2024. Residents and visitors are invited to a friendly two-week celebration of South Devon’s breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage.
26 Jan

From Monday 22 January 2024 the Torbay local heritage grant scheme reopens for applications. From Monday 22 January 2024 the Torbay local heritage grant scheme reopens for applications.

Local groups can again apply for grant funding of up to £7,500 to support their heritage project.

15 Jan

English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark Welcomes Wild Plant Trust as New Geopark Core Partner English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark Welcomes Wild Plant Trust as New Geopark Core Partner

The English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark is delighted to announce the addition of Wild Plant Trust as a Geopark Core Partner, further enriching the diverse range of organisations dedicated to conserving and promoting the unique environment, heritage and culture underpinned by the internationally significant geological heritage of the English Riviera. Core Partners play a pivotal role in the English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark helping to fulfil the requirements to retain the UNESCO designation.
6 Dec

A Greener Way for Our Bay – Have your say A Greener Way for Our Bay – Have your say

The new consultation – ‘A Greener Way For Our Bay’ – aims to engage with local people on the Torbay Climate Partnership’s new plans for reducing the Bay’s emissions and preparing for a changing climate. The Partnership is made up of a wide range of organisations in Torbay from the public, private, community and voluntary sectors.
17 Oct

KENTS CAVERN ENTERS A NEW ERA AS IT JOINS THE TUDOR HOTELS COLLECTION KENTS CAVERN ENTERS A NEW ERA AS IT JOINS THE TUDOR HOTELS COLLECTION

Geopark Partners Kents Cavern are  delighted to announce that Kents Cavern has officially become part of the Tudor Hotels Collection
4 Oct
18 Sep

Torbay's Local Heritage Grant Scheme - first round of grants awarded Torbay's Local Heritage Grant Scheme - first round of grants awarded

The first of Torbay’s Local Heritage Grants have been awarded to 12 projects in Brixham, Paignton and Torquay. These range from visitor improvements for both the historic Brixham Battery and Torquay Museum, and community projects in Paignton; to literary inspired murals, podcasts, heritage days and innovative projects exploring our geological history across the English Riviera’s UNESCO designated environment.
3 Aug

Exciting season of creative and cultural events for Paignton Exciting season of creative and cultural events for Paignton

A major series of creative events has been announced for Torbay. The four-week programme titled Open Season is part of Torbay’s Cultural Development Fund project focused on Paignton Picture House.
25 Jul

ENGLISH RIVIERA UNESCO GLOBAL GEOPARK INCLUDED IN UNIQUE UK UNESCO SITES ON NEW ILLUSTRATED MAP ENGLISH RIVIERA UNESCO GLOBAL GEOPARK INCLUDED IN UNIQUE UK UNESCO SITES ON NEW ILLUSTRATED MAP

-    New map launched that includes all 58 UK UNESCO sites for the first time

-    Map illustration by artist Tom Woolley

-    Visitors encouraged to discover new sites and destinations on their doorstep

14 Jul

The English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark prepares for UNESCO inspection. The English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark prepares for UNESCO inspection.

Every four years a team of two UNESCO Global Geopark representatives chosen from across the globe conduct a formal revalidation inspection on the English Riviera’s geopark status.

4 Jul

Funding for new Geopark Discovery Trails and Experiences Funding for new Geopark Discovery Trails and Experiences

UKSPF funding will see the creation of new Geopark walking trails and experiences. Led by the English Riviera BID Company.
4 Jul

£1.76 million Shared Prosperity Funding to increase life chances and opportunities in Torbay £1.76 million Shared Prosperity Funding to increase life chances and opportunities in Torbay

The fund is a central pillar of the UK Government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment across the UK by March 2025, replacing EU structural funds. Its overarching aim is to build pride in place and increase life chances across the UK. 
26 Jun

Torbay's new Local Heritage Grant Scheme is open for applications Torbay's new Local Heritage Grant Scheme is open for applications

The Torbay local heritage grant scheme will support grassroot heritage projects with grants of up to £7,500 available.

From Monday 26 June local groups can apply for grant funding to support their heritage project.

Made possible after securing £250,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with an additional £12,500 of funding from us, the aim of the new scheme is to enable more people to get involved in Torbay's heritage and celebrate the Bays UNESCO Global Geopark designation.

26 Jun

Cultural partners working together to reopen Paignton Picture House Cultural partners working together to reopen Paignton Picture House

Torbay Counicl are working in partnership with the Paignton Picture House Trust, the board of Torbay Culture, South Devon College, and the Agatha Christie Festival to progress a shared ambition to see the landmark Picture House reopen.

The restoration of Paignton Picture House is one of several improvement projects happening in the heart of Paignton.

21 Jun

Help shape the sustainable future of the bay - 2 x Climate Strategy and Project Officer roles at Torbay Council Help shape the sustainable future of the bay - 2 x Climate Strategy and Project Officer roles at Torbay Council

Torbay Council are recruiting two Climate Strategy and Project Officer alongside other roles to the growing climate, transport, and planning team. Join the Torbay story and help deliver carbon neutrality in Torbay.
13 Jun

The English Riviera Walking Festival Returns The English Riviera Walking Festival Returns

Over the course of 8 days, from 23rd-30th September 2023, The English Riviera Walking Festival returns with a varied selection of coastal walks led by experienced guides, who will take you on a unique journey along one of England’s most scenic coastlines. 
5 Jun

New Public Spaces Protection Order for Hopes Nose and Berry Head New Public Spaces Protection Order for Hopes Nose and Berry Head

A new Public Spaces Protection Order will ensure the important coastal sites at Hopes Nose in Torquay and Berry Head in Brixham are protected from harm and remain safe for all to visit.
1 Jun

Torre Abbey Restoration Project starts this June Torre Abbey Restoration Project starts this June

In June work will be starting at Torre Abbey on the third phase of its major restoration project.

This exciting and vital project will conserve and repair the south west and south east ranges of the main mansion, the C14th Mohun Gatehouse, Courtyard 4 including its tower and the north end of the Chapel. Investigation works will also look into the cracking in the lath and plaster in the Chapel.

6 May

The English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark Festival 2023 The English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark Festival 2023

The annual festival is a celebration of the international significance of the areas Geopark status and sees Geopark Partners and Associate Partners hosting a diverse range of events and activities across the Bay. The aim of the festival is to showcase the wonders of the Geopark through collaborative working, and to allow both residents and visitors the opportunity to discover something new along the way.
27 Mar

Two much-loved coastal footpaths benefit from refurbishment. Two much-loved coastal footpaths benefit from refurbishment.

Torbay Council have carried out repairs on a much-loved section of the South West Coast Path between Walls Hill and Ansteys Cove in Torquay.

Essential repairs were carried out after the path had become very steep and holes appeared in the footway due to a void underneath.

27 Feb

Local heritage small grants scheme to be established thanks to successful National Lottery Heritage Fund application Local heritage small grants scheme to be established thanks to successful National Lottery Heritage Fund application

Torbay Council have received a £250,000 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to establish a Torbay local heritage small grants scheme that will enbale more people to get involved in Torbay’s heritage and celebrate our designation as a UNESECO Global Geopark thanks to 
17 Sep

The English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark Launches new Interactive 3D Map The English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark Launches new Interactive 3D Map

The English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark has launched a new hi-tec interactive map to coincide with Geo Diversity Day (6 October).
21 May

The English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark Festival returns The English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark Festival returns

The annual festival is a celebration of the international significance of the area’s Geopark status.
6 May

Geopark Festival 2022 Geopark Festival 2022

The UNESCO Global Geopark status is something which really makes The English Riviera a unique place to visit. Come and celebrate with us during the Geopark Festival, which runs from Thursday 26 May to Thursday 2 June
31 Mar

Hundreds support Torbay’s Earth Hour event Hundreds support Torbay’s Earth Hour event

Around 600 people came down with lanterns to celebrate Earth Hour, a global environmental event.
7 Mar

Support Earth Hour in Torbay – as Council commits £1m to tackling climate change Support Earth Hour in Torbay – as Council commits £1m to tackling climate change

Residents in Torbay are being encouraged by English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark and us to mark Earth Hour by turning off their lights at home and heading down to Torre Abbey Sands in Torquay to join a unique event, the first of its kind in the Bay.
15 Jul

MINI GEOPARK FESTIVAL HAILED A GREAT SUCCESS 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.
4 Dec

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

English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark hosts international evaluators as part of four year revalidation process English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark hosts international evaluators as part of four year revalidation process

ERGO hosts two UNESCO recognised inspectors as part of revalidation process.