ENGLISH RIVIERA GLOBAL GEOPARK
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Keep in touch with all the news from the Geopark!





Welcome to the English Riviera Geopark and a landscape of dramatic changes, of exploration and discovery.



A landscape untouched by glaciation, revealing stories 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

20 May

Sixth English Riviera Geopark Festival Launched

Fun for everyone to celebrate the Bay's great outdoors and plans revealed to make the popular event even bigger in future years. 
25 Apr

TorqEat

To kick off the first May Bank Holiday 2013 the famous seaside resort of Torquay in South Devon will be holding TorqEat, a brand-new FREE Food and Drink festival on Saturday 4th May.

4 Apr

Natural science fun day at Torquay Museum this weekend.

A range of fun and exciting family activities will take place at Torquay Museum on April 6,
27 Mar

Third award in opening year for Paignton's popular Geoplay Park

THE Geoplay Park in Paignton has been given a five star award from The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

25 Mar

Ceramics Festival at Cockington

The first ever Ceramics Festival at Cockington Court celebrates the best in national and regional contemporary ceramic practice.
14 Mar

Unesco officials' tour of Bay Geopark hailed a success

A FACT-FINDING trip to Torbay to promote a higher international profile for Britain's Geoparks has been hailed a success.

28 Feb

Millions of years of geopark history on display

A TWO-DAY half-term event in Torquay's Union Square was held to introduce the public to the exciting geology of Torbay.

14 Feb

Time to get on your bike or it will be soon!

The Coastal Communities funding bid for a new Geopark Cycle Trail has been successful.
3 Dec

Geopark is on the up!

The latest Torbay Council residents survey has revealed some great results for the Geopark
11 Oct

£141,000 grant aid for Bay's museums

THE future of museums in the Bay has been secured following a £141,000 grant from the Arts Council England.

5 Oct

Funding boost announced for Geopark's museums

ARTS Council England has announced a £141,000 financial boost for museums across Torbay.

7 Sep

New 10k cycle route would link key Geopark sites

A £600,000 new cycle trail could link up key Geopark sites across Torbay and help boost tourism in the resort.

22 Jul

"Over the Horizon" at Berry Head

An exciting new project called 'over the horizon' is taking place in Brixham this summer.
18 Jun

New Cockington exhibition showcases Geopark talents

NEW exhibition created to celebrate the Bay's Geopark status has opened at the Kitchen Gallery, Cockington Court.

11 Jun

Success for the Geoplay Park

PAIGNTON'S £500,000 Geoplay park has been such a success it has been invited to bid for more cash.

1 Jun

Officially ready for Geoplay

PAIGNTON'S fantastic new Geoplay park will be officially opened as part the jubilee weekend celebrations.

21 May

Geopark festival fun

THE line-up for the English Riviera Geopark Festival has been announced
29 Mar

New unique Geoplay park is opening for its first fun-filled days.

The play park has been a real community effort.

8 Mar

Geoplay Park Opening Day Set

TV'S 'Mister Rocks' geologist Iain Stewart was bowled over by his sneak preview of Torbay's new Geoplay park.

7 Dec

English Riviera to capitalise on Olympic Games

The English Riviera Tourism Company has launched a state-of-the-art new website to draw in more visitors over 2012.
17 Nov

Jawbone earns English Riviera £1m in publicity.

A PIECE of old bone has earned the English Riviera an estimated £1million of free publicity around the world.

4 Nov

Great Geopark news from the 36 UNESCO Conference Paris

High profile spot for the English Riviera Geopark at the 36 UNESCO conference alongside great result for the Global Geoparks Network.

3 Nov

Kents Cavern Jawbone Hits the Headlines!

Kents Cavern Jawbone is Britain’s oldest human fossil

29 Sep

Global Geoparks Network membership extended

THE way the English Riviera is promoting and enhancing the quality of its great outdoors has secured an international accolade for another four years.

25 Aug

Social Networking on Bay boat trip

The wonders of the English Riviera Global Geopark were revealed in their full glory when Torbay's tourism industry took to the water.

11 Aug

New walks book available on line!

Click here to buy your copy now...only £4.95 for the essential walking companion to the English Riviera global Geopark.. 

8 Jul

Art on The English Riviera - World premiere of Henry Bruce's Horizon Cube

Cockington Court Craft Centre will host the world premiere of Henry Bruce's Horizon Cube exhibition from Friday 22 July to Monday 29 August.

21 Jun

Key Educationalists visit the English Riviera Geopark

Principals visit Royal Terrace Gardens
20 Jun

Bay's Geopark status being assessed by UNESCO

TWO international experts are putting progress on the English Riviera's Geopark under the spotlight.

18 Jun

UNESCO's Geopark Visit

Representatives from Unesco and the Global Geopark Network arrive on the English Riviera for a three-day inspection visit from Sunday, June 19.

8 Jun

Cookery, cove canoeing and caves at Geopark Festival

The English Riviera Geopark Festival is building on its firm foundations.

3 Jun

New English Riviera Geopark walks book launch at Festival Finale.

Two inspirational new guides to walks along the South West Coast Path National Trail will be launched at the English Riviera Geopark Festival on Sunday 5th June.

31 May

Your chance to 'cache' in on hidden treasures

Hidden treasures of the English Riviera Geopark can be traced with the help of technology this week.

30 May

Festival fun to help boost Geopark's global status

THE English Riviera Geopark Festival which picks up steam this week may hold the key to success in retaining the Bay's global Geopark status.
25 May

Chairman's message: 'We must promote Geopark together'

Nick Powe, owner of Kents Cavern and chairman of English Riviera Geopark Organisation, recently hosted an industry awareness evening.

19 May

GB6GEO Global Geopark Radio weekend at Occombe Farm

Visitors to Occombe Farm over the Bank Holiday weekend on 28 and 29 May will be able to broadcast live from Paignton all over the world.

18 May

Geology photoshow opens at Brixham Adult & Community Learning Centre

David Ayres has just set up a magnificent display of photographs at Brixham Adult & Community Learning Centre reflecting his interest in Geology.
12 May

The English Riviera Global Geopark is the clean beach capital of England!

The English Riviera has scooped a record-breaking 16 awards for its beaches, landing the title as the clean beach capital of England.

10 May

Spring Festival Rocks the Geopark!

This month sees the start of the annual Geopark Festival on the English Riviera
5 May

Adventure, thrills and survival on the English Riviera

Those seeking adventure, exploration and a taste of the sea will have a treat in store this summer with the introduction of a series of brand new Geopark Discovery Packages on the English Riviera Global Geopark.
22 Apr

Local cricket enthusiasts told "your Geopark needs you" in battle of the South Coast!

On Sunday 5 June the English Riviera Geopark will be taking on its neighbours, The Jurassic Coast, in a unique cricket match and Torbay Council is encouraging local residents to take part.
18 Jan

Geopark status can put English Riviera back at the top where it belongs

SINCE its creation ten years ago, Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust has taken care of about 1,700 acres of rural and coastal open spaces and woodland on the English Riviera. The trust has an impressive track record of delivering ambitious projects with limited funding.  But probably what we will look back on in years to come as the trust's most significant achievement is the creation of the Global Geopark for the English Riviera, an international accreditation endorsed by UNESCO...

4 Oct

Torquay's £3million Rock Walk gets seal of approval

Torquay's ambitious £3million garden and cliff staircase was packed with walkers on Saturday afternoon.
30 Sep

Monuments as works of art in £3m project

GIANT standing stones and tiny ancient monuments are among the artworks unveiled at Royal Terrace gardens this weekend.
27 Sep

Royal Terrace Gardens Festival, a fun packed day for all!

From Geopark fun to a performance by The Quails, street performers to a digital light show this week's Royal Terrace Gardens Festival (Saturday 2 October) promises to be a day packed with fun activities for all the family.
20 Sep

New English Riviera Global Geopark Guidebook

A brand new guidebook, showcasing the English Rivera's unique, natural landscape has just been published and is now available for purchase.
15 Aug

Spectacular opening for Rock Walk's £3million restoration project

A day of celebrations and a spectacular light show using Torquay's Rock Walk as its backdrop will mark the official opening of the £3million restoration project.

30 Jul

Art on the English Riviera featuring Damien Hirst

The English Riviera is pleased to announce that it is hosting a brand new exhibition featuring Damien Hirst's Mother and Child, Divided (Exhibition Copy). This will be the first time the piece has been seen in the UK outside of London
21 Jun

Geopark film showing at Glastonbury 2010

The English Riviera Global Geopark film, We Love Our Geopark, will be shown every day at the 2010 Glastonbury Festival...
7 Jun

View of Thatcher Rock wins prize

A seal's-eye view of Torquay's Thatcher Rock has won the first English Riviera Geopark photographic competition...
5 Jun

Geoquest Journey of Exploration was great fun!

We have just had the great pleasure of participating in the GeoQuest journey...
5 Jun

Geopark's beer is festival star

Beery Head is putting in another star appearance at this weekend's Occombe Farm Beer Festival...
2 Jun

New look centre helps unlock World of Wonder

One of Torbay's gateway sites, which helps residents and visitors discover the wonders of the resort's Geopark, has re-opened following a facelift...
29 May

Help to unravel the mystery of the mammoth...

Don't miss the Mystery Mammoth Day today at the Seashore Centre, Goodrington...

Events in the Geopark

4 - 5 May

Brixham Pirate Festival

Brixham Harbourside
Join over 2000 pirates and celebrate the maritime heritage of the world renowned historic fishing...
25 May - 2 Jun

GEOPARK FESTIVAL - Seafari Cruise of the Geopark

Departing Brixham and Torquay
A one hour cruise that will show the wildlife as well as the Geopark with Greenway Ferries....
25 May

GEOPARK FESTIVAL - Ancient Marine Creatures, A Smooth Space Family Workshop

Torquay Museum
Come and make sculptures exploring the marine animals which lived in the warm shallow seas of...
25 May

Occombe Garden - Share the Harvest!

Occombe Farm
Come to Occombe Garden for a tour of our veg patch and discover how we grow vegetables from plot...
26 May

GEOPARK FESTIVAL - Walking Spectacular of the English Riviera Geopark Coast, Paignton to Broadsands

Starting Redcliffe Hotel, Paignton
Four miles of ever-changing , unforgettable experiences, Paignton to Broadsands. Spectacular views,...
27 - 29 May

GEOPARK FESTIVAL - Rock Songs and Stone Stories

Paignton Geoplay Park
Come along for fun and music with the Geoparks own Geo-Collective in the Geoplay Park. Hugh...
27 May

GEOPARK FESTIVAL - Napoleonic Boot Camp and Friends of Berry Head Fundraiser

Berry Head
A special day for the whole family to celebrate the incredible heritage of Berry Head National...
28 May

GEOPARK FESTIVAL - Rockpool Safari

The Seashore Centre
Come and join our Marine Rangers in exploring the incredible marine life that lives in Torbay's...
28 May

GEOPARK FESTIVAL - Prehistoric flint knapping workshops

Brixham Heritage Museum
Join Flint Knapping expert Karl Lee for a hands on workshop to learn about and make prehistoric...
29 May

GEOPARK FESTIVAL - Family Firecraft with marshmallows and simple whittling

Occombe Farm Visitor Centre
Would you have survived in the stone age? Can you create a campfire with wood and natural tinder...
30 May

GEOPARK FESTIVAL - Stories in the Caves

Kents Cavern
Come to Kents Cavern to hear exciting stories in the caves where people shared stories long, long...
31 May

GEOPARK FESTIVAL - Junior Bushcraft

Kents Cavern
Travel back in an imaginary time machine to the Stone Age. Try your hand at making a fire with...
31 May

GEOPARK FESTIVAL - Kids Cookery School Summer Party!

Occombe Farm Cookery School
Kids – want to impress your family with the best Summer picnic hamper ever! Make delicious...
31 May

GEOPARK FESTIVAL - Geology Rocks!

Paignton Green
Come along to this family event and find out about 400 million years of earth’s history in...
31 May

GEOPARK FESTIVAL - Berry Head Bat Walk

Berry Head Visitor Centre
A unique opportunity to see the rare Greater Horseshoe bats at Berry Head. We will begin by...
1 Jun

GEOPARK FESTIVAL - Monster Saturday

Torquay Museum
Join scientists to look into the world of crustaceans and rockpools and make your own rockpool to...
1 Jun

GEOPARK FESTIVAL - Heritage crafts at Brixham Heritage Museum

Brixham Heritage Museum
Children can participate in rope-making, card weaving, knot tying and traditional games. For...
2 Jun

GEOPARK FESTIVAL - Family Fun Walk and Kents Cavern Tour.

Kents Cavern
This is a family fun afternoon with a walk to Anstey’s Cove and then up to the Walls Hill...
2 Jun

Spanish Tapas

Occombe Farm
Are your thoughts turning to hot Mediterranean days, blue skies, sparkling seas and the sound of...
7 - 8 Jun

Occombe Beer Festival

Occombe Farm
Sample from a menu of over 70 Westcountry beers at Occombe’s annual festival, plus local...