ENGLISH RIVIERA GLOBAL GEOPARK

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!

Discover our festival programme of extraordinary experiences taking place across Torquay, Paignton and Brixham. Why not book a seaweed foraging experience, or relax with a sunrise meditation? Join us on a beach to sing sea shanties, or enjoy a full-day coastal plein air painting workshop.

Scroll down to see the full events list at the bottom of this page.

We invite you to visit our UNESCO Geopark, with its vibrant urban buzz, great local food and drink, relaxing seaside locations and spectacular coastline which is alive with wildlife and sealife.

Bring a friend to share the experience. Then when you return home, tell your family and friends you have witnessed ‘One of Earth’s extraordinary places'!

 

 

Geopark Discovery Experience

Event Information

Dates

Book

 

Private Geopark and Wildlife Boat Tour

 

This bespoke boat tour is a 60-minute non-physical discovery of the English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark in our 8-seater rigid boat. This slow tour is a chance to get up close to our rocks, caves and wildlife exploring the wilder side of the English Riviera and launches off Babbacombe Beach. We take you to the special sights of scientific interest, caves and our more remote coves with a local experienced skipper.

We explore the coastline of Babbacombe Bay, Watcombe, Maidencombe, Ansteys and Brandi Coves and take in the Hopes Nose headland. This gives us the greatest opportunity to observe wild sea birds, seals and hopefully some cetaceans, though these visits are very special and cannot be guaranteed on every tour!

18 Mar 2024 - 18 Oct 2024

Monday - Sunday 

 

10:30 - 11:30

 

12:00 – 13:00

 

16:00 – 17:00

Sea Kayak Torbay | Boat Tour Company in Torquay

 

Coastal Adventure

 

Join an experienced, local, coastal guide in an extraordinary discovery of our geological past. Learn what a Geopark is, how it was created and how it is an ever-evolving canvas! Meet the pioneers that shape our coastline to the ecosystems and marine wildlife that live within!
Forage and taste wild marine vegetation and find our very special, protected fossils from the early Devonian era. Get up close and personal with our rocks and learn about the events that shaped our landscape!


We conclude the tour with a bush-craft experience and a gastronomes delight of toasted marshmallows slowly cooked over a beach fire. Along with a discussion on how a Geopark assists in the future of our coastlines in minimizing our impacts on the ecosystems within!

 

26 Mar 2024 to15 Oct 2024

 

Various Times to suit group.

Get in Touch | Sea Kayak Torbay

 

Guided Sunset Sea Kayak Safari

 

A guided sunset paddle exploring the English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark by Sea Kayak. You will paddle out around the famous island of Thatcher rock and visit several sights of specific scientific interest (SSSIs). Before stopping on a wild secluded beach to hunt for fossils, forage a special marine herb that we will then use to flavour our fresh line-caught Mackerel (or other white fish) fillets on hot-stones for your dinner. This will be accompanied with local breads and salads.


Our active seal populations and resident cetaceans move around South Devon and have been observed on many of our sunset tours. Our seals fish and bask in the sun at their favourite haul outs that we may pass in our boats. This tour option is an experience to witness our stunning geology up-close, explore

18 Apr 2024 to 17 May 2024 17:30 - 20:30

18 May 2024 to17 Aug 2024

18:00 - 21:00

Sea Kayak Torbay | Boat Tour Company in Torquay

 

Agatha Christie's Extraordinary Life

 

 

 

Even if you've never read an Agatha Christie novel or watched one of her plays, it doesn't matter!
This fascinating walking tour tells the story of her extraordinary life, which is as interesting as any of her novels. Whilst following the stunning English Riviera coastline, guests will discover how she overcame personal and professional challenges to become the world's best selling novelist, the most translated author and the author of the longest running play.


• Find out about Agatha's first 30 years growing up in Torquay
• See the hotel where they spent their honeymoon
• Walk along the pier where she would roller skate with her friends.
• Visit the place where Agatha discovered the retired Belgian Inspector who inspired Hercule Poirot.
• Discover how our landscape influenced her novels

 

25 May  - 31 May 2024

 

Monday – Sunday

 

10:00      - 12:30

Guided Tours Torquay - English Riviera Walking Tours

 

English Riviera Geopark Cruise

 

The English Riviera Geopark Cruise provides a lovely day out and is a great introduction to our exceptional marine environment. It will help you understand how Torbay evolved and the role that sailing trawlers have played in its economic development. Add to that the fact that you will be sailing along the stunning English Riviera UNESCO Geopark coast and we'll have an experienced guide onboard to provide a detailed commentary along the way. This ruise provides a one day 'taster' of traditional sailing in the one of the worlds most extraordinary places.

Sailing on Pilgrim is a unique and exhilarating experience. Not only will you have a superb day out sailing our 128 year old Brixham trawler, but you will see how Victorian fishermen handled these heavy and powerful vessels. You will be able to assist the crew to sail Pilgrim in the traditional manner yet benefit from the modern guest facilities we have on board. In addition this trip takes place during the Brixham Heritage Regatta and we expect to be sailing along with other heritage vessels so it will be a sight to behold

 

25th May

 

10:00 – 16:00

English Riviera Geopark Cruise aboard heritage vessel Pilgrim (pilgrimofbrixham.org.uk)

 

UNESCO Global Geopark sea grass bed kayak tour

 

Embark on a captivating sea grass kayak tour in the English Riviera Geopark, guided by a passionate conservationist from Wild Planet Trust. Discover Nature's wonders while supporting marine conservation efforts

26 May 2024

Sunday

09:30      - 12:30

 

30 May 2024

Thursday

09:30      - 12:30

BOOK NOW | Reach Outdoors | Outdoor adventure specialists, Devon (reach-outdoors.com)

 

Sunrise Sea Kayak Marine Wildlife and Cave Tour

 

Babbacombe gets the most beautiful sunrises with the sun rising out of the sea. We meet just before dawn to gear up and paddle out as the sun appears on the horizon and watch it light up the English Riviera. Paddling silently through the Geopark before the day breaks is an amazing experience and a great opportunity to meet our residential marine wildlife including our sea birds, seals and hopefully cetaceans. This opportunity for wildlife observation and exploring our secluded coves before the pleasure craft hits the water or the bucket and spade brigade hits the beaches is second to none. These tours are new for 2024 and are once a month and timed specifically for the sunrise. Please view timings as they change each month.

31 May 2024

Friday    

05:00      - 08:00

Beyonk | Sunrise Sea Kayak and Cave Tour

Sunrise Yoga

Join Nicola in the serene setting of Berry Head to witness the beauty of sunrise and connect with our natural environment in an unforgettable yoga class. An energising flow to awaken the body and grounding meditation to connect with nature, the elements, and the 400 million-old rocks beneath you!

"I will rise with the sun, and braid her rays of hope into my soul." - Angie Weiland-Crosby

We will meet at Berry Head Car Park and head to a stunning viewing point for the sunrise yoga class. Bring your own mat, blanket, and coffee if you will need one like me! But also let me know if you need a mat or blanket as I have some. I can't wait to see you beautiful souls there!

28 May 2024

Tuesday

05:00      - 06:00

Yoga | Nicola.Bianca.Yoga | Brixham (nicolabiancayoga.co.uk)

An exclusive guided walk of Berry Head's forts

 

 

Join us for walk through time at Berry Head National Nature Reserve, a special event to celebrate the English Riviera UNESCO Geopark Festival.

This unique event will be led by the very knowledgeable local historian Philip Armitage who will guide you through a fascinating period in time featuring the Napoleonic military and archaeological history of our Berry Head Forts.

25 May 2024

Saturday

11:00      - 13:00

A guided walk through history at Berry Head – Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust – May 25, 2024 (countryside-trust.org.uk)

Life's a Beach – Weekend Art Workshop

 

 

 

A relaxing and inspiring weekend spent enjoying a unique drawing and printmaking workshop with artists Alexandra Robb and Ian Cox.

The weekend will see us, on the first day exploring and documenting the wonderful Meadfoot Beach, close to Torquay. Meadfoot Beach belongs to the coastline that is part of the English Riveria UNESCO Global Geopark, with not only its unique geology but history, culture, archaeology and biodiversity too. We will be exploring the beach, documenting via sketching, taking photographs and more!

Over the two days we'll also then be working in the creative space of the Artizan Collective Gallery on Fleet Street, Torquay. With the help of printmakers Alexandra Robb and Ian Cox we will experiment with both lino print and nature printing, using seaweeds as well as other found objects. At the end of the weekend you'll take home a beautiful and unique artistic record of your experience in the form of a concertina style book incorporating the various techniques we have practiced.

25 May 2024 - 26 May 2024

 

Saturday –

09:30 - 18:00

 

Sunday

09:30 - 18:00

Life's a Beach - Weekend Art Workshop | Art-hub (Artizan)

Mussels and Prosecco Sunset Boat Cruise

 

Join a wonderful evening cruise aboard the passenger vessel Dolphin Princess around the Geopark. Guests will not only enjoy local mussels and a glass of bubbly but see amazing wildlife and hear stories about the history of the area gaining a real sense of just how extraordinary the English Riviera is.

27 May 2024

Monday

18:30 - 21:30

 

31 May 2024

Friday

18:30  - 21:30

Mussels and Prosecco Cruise - Funfish Trips - Sea Fishing | Wildlife Cruises | Excellence (2024)

Sea Life and Stencilling

 

Drawing inspiration from the beach and surroundings you'll leave with a self-designed painted tote bag, decorated glass beaker and re-useable vinyl stencils. All materials and pizza meal included.

Starting at The Still House we'll meet for a brief introduction to the day before heading onto the beach at Fairy Cove for some inspirational sketching and beachcombing. Paper, boards, and sketching medium provided.

On returning to our host venue, we'll do a brief introduction on how to use the tools we'll be working with and share some tips for cutting vinyl, practicing simple shapes at first before moving onto our final design. A small stencil will be achieved with the cut outs being suitable for decorating a drinking glass.

Building on what we've learnt, we'll then look at how to scale up our design process before we start preparing stencils and learning how to apply our paint for decorating an unbleached cotton tote bag.

The day wraps up with a pizza meal and choice of hot or cold beverage courtesy of The Still Hous.

29 May 2024

Wednesday

14:30 - 17:30

Sea Life and Stencilling | Art-hub (Artizan)

Geopark Coasteering Grand Tour

 

Take a trip through 300 million years of geological history! Our Geopark Coasteering experience will test you and educate you in equal measure! Jump from ledges, swim through caves, cling to cliffs and marvel at the wildlife, permian sandstone features and underwater secrets. We weave modern stories of smuggling and WWII bomber planes with ancient human history and Woolly Mammoths- all linked uniquely to the Geopark story and cultural heritage. Yes you will get your dose of adrenaline as expected on a Coasteering tour but so, so much more!

 

25 May 2024 - 1 June 2024

 

Monday – Sunday

10:00 - 13:30

Rock Solid Coasteering

Sunset Yoga Walk

 

Yoga and walking along our stunning English Riviera coastline, connecting with the elements, whilst appreciating the stunning panoramic views as the sun sets! The tour starts at Meadfoot Beach for gentle yoga flow, clearing our minds and bringing us into the present moment. We take a gentle stroll along the South West Coast Path to one of the most iconic locations along our coastline, where we will stop for a short guided meditation overlooking Thatchers Rock and giving thanks to universe for life before heading back to the start point.

Yoga at one of Agatha Christie's favourite beaches. Connect with the elements and our beautiful surroundings. Explore coastal path whilst enjoying the breath-taking views. Unwind with a sunset meditation overlooking Thatchers Rock.

 

30 May 2024

Thursday

18:30  - 20:30

Yoga | Nicola.Bianca.Yoga | Brixham (nicolabiancayoga.co.uk)

Coastal Adventure

 

Join an experienced, local, coastal guide in an extraordinary discovery of our geological past. Learn what a Geopark is, how it was created and how it is an ever-evolving canvas! Meet the pioneers that shape our coastline to the ecosystems and marine wildlife that live within!

Forage and taste wild marine vegetation and find our very special, protected fossils from the early Devonian era. Get up close and personal with our rocks and learn about the events that shaped our landscape!

We conclude the tour with a bush-craft experience and a gastronomes delight of toasted marshmallows slowly cooked over a beach fire. Along with a discussion on how a Geopark assists in the future of our coastlines in minimizing our impacts on the ecosystems within!

 

26 Mar 2024 - 15 Oct 2024

 

Tuesday

10:30 - 12:00

 

Thursday

10:30 - 12:00

Get in Touch | Sea Kayak Torbay

Celebrating the Geopark Through Shanty Singing

 

The Out of Tunas are a local Shanty Band uniquely influenced by the Geopark's History and Heritage. We will be performing at the iconic Redcliffe Hotel at 9pm on the 29th Of May in a celebration of maritime history, smuggling and ship wrecks in the bay. With commentary and anecdotes to highlight the diversity of the landscape and it's rich history - it should be a captivating evening!

Dates: 29 May 2024

 

Wednesday

21:00  - 22:30

FREE Event:  

 

Redcliffe Hotel, 4 Marine Drive, Paignton, Devon, TQ3 2NL

Soul Sessions - Afro Beat Yoga

 

Soul Sessions with Nicola & DJ Luna is an extraordinary yoga experience incorporating dance into yoga flow. High energy and fun vibes connecting rhythmic breath, sound, & movement. Leaving our ego at the door so we can connect with the beats, enjoy our beautiful bodies, and each other with no judgment just LOVE. Yes, there will be dancing so get those hips ready! Once the 'yoga' part is done there will be time to enjoy a mocktail, dance, socialise, and enjoy the good vibrations.

 

Wednesday 29 May 2024

 

                 

19:00      - 20:30

What's On in English Riviera | Events in Devon

Family Yoga

 

Family Yoga is a fun and engaging yoga class to connect with Nature in a perfect setting overlooking our beautiful Geopark at the stunning Redcliffe Hotel. A special experience to strengthen bonds and promote a healthy lifestyle together with breathwork, fun active yoga poses, calming mindfulness exercises, and relaxation. All ages are welcome!

Friday    

31 May 2024

 

10:30      - 11:30

What's On in English Riviera | Events in Devon