NEWS FROM THE GEOPARK17 Oct
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
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
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
- 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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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.
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
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 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 annual festival is a celebration of the international significance of the area’s Geopark status.
6 May
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
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
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
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
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.
8 Aug
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. 17 Oct
Live Global Junkjam to link schools in UNESCO Global Geoparks around the world
![]() Join us at 12pm where pupils from White Rock Primary School will be at Cockington Court with The Junkman for a one hour worldwide celebration of Mother Earth. We will be linking up with other UNESCO Global Geopark locations from around the world. Click to read more.
13 Jul
Korean university students visit English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark to learn about Geotourism and Devon’s outstanding geological heritage.
![]() Prize winning students from Korea visited the English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark for a research visit during July.
4 Jun
Geopark Festival 2018 - International Reach.
![]() Torbay’s UNESCO Geopark reached out to the Bay’s international visitors by adding a welcome message in nine different languages on the 2018 Geopark festival leaflet.
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