The English
Riviera Geopark

Our Geopark

Torbay’s geological heritage spans more than 400 million years.

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The English Riviera refers to an area known as Torbay in south Devon. Torbay includes the coastal towns of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham. In 2007, the area was awarded Geopark status and became the first English seaside resort to be given this important recognition.

Close-up of layered, multi-colored rock formations with primarily dark gray, brown, and rust hues.
Line drawing of a mountain range with steep cliffs and a large, snow-capped peak, showing rocky terrain and trees at the base.

400 Million Years in the Making

Our rocks here are unique and of international significance. The English Riviera’s geological heritage spans more than 400 million years and features fascinating tales of tropical seas, scorching deserts, drowned forests, sabre-toothed tigers, cave bears and earliest man.

But the Geopark is about far more than geology. That 400-million-year story underpins everything that makes this place special today — a rich maritime and built heritage, a thriving culture of writers, artists and makers, and a natural environment of international importance, from seagrass meadows and sea caves to rare limestone grassland. Land, sea, people and places are all part of one story.

The coastline created over this astonishing timeline is dramatic, beautiful and much enjoyed today by the people who live here and by the thousands of visitors that come to the English Riviera every year to discover our story.

Download our guide.

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Our Mission

The English Riviera Geopark is run by the English Riviera Geopark Organisation (ERGO), a network of partners who share a vision to:

  • Four hikers with backpacks standing on a grassy hillside near a large body of water, with a cloudy sky overhead and distant land across the water.

    Protecting Our Natural Heritage

    Celebrate, conserve, enhance and protect the unique and diverse heritage of this naturally inspiring area of south Devon

  • Person holding a large fish with water droplets falling from it, against a cloudy sky background.

    Driving Sustainable Growth

    Work with multiple partners to drive education, expansion of the tourism offering and sympathetic regeneration through sustainable social and economic development

  • Group of five adults lying on grass around a detailed map, smiling and looking up at the camera.

    Connecting People with Place

    Reconnect human society at all levels to the local area, to the wider environment and to celebrate how Torbay’s 400-million-year-long history has shaped every aspect of our lives and informs the future

  • Two women sitting at a table in a cafe, smiling and interacting with a small fluffy dog. One woman is holding the dog, and the other is reaching out to pet it. There are cups and a treat container on the table, and large windows in the background letting in natural light.

    Supporting Local Communities

    Support the development and well-being of the local community

  • A woman and a girl at an outdoor fair examining pink and white twisted candies in a striped paper bag.

    Championing Local Initiatives

    Promote, support and facilitate, encourage and enable local projects, initiatives and events that help protect and raise awareness of the area’s geological heritage

  • A group of people, including children and adults, sitting close together around a small fire inside a cave with rocky walls, smiling and enjoying themselves.

    Building Strong Partnerships

    Strengthen existing partnerships and develop new networks to ensure that the geological qualities of the English Riviera Geopark are sustained and promoted for current and future generations

To find out more, see our partners.

The Geopark operates in accordance with the UNESCO Global Geopark Statutes and Guidelines (the Statutes of the International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme).

Our Management Plan and strategic documents set out how the Geopark is run — the full library is under Reports & Documents.

400M

Years of Geological History

32

Internationally Important Geosites

22

Miles of StunningCoastline

2007

Designated a Global Geopark

Abstract illustration of a black hill against a light blue sky with subtle textured clouds.
Abstract illustration of a black hill against a light blue sky with subtle textured clouds.
A person kayaking on a calm body of water during sunset, with another kayak visible in the foreground, and a distant tree-covered shoreline under a sky with scattered clouds.
A stylized map of a region with a long, curved shape on a black background, showing roads and natural features.

A Journey Through One of Earth’s Extraordinary places

Eight UNESCO designated sites across the South West of England have joined together with GWR in this exciting initiative to encourage visitors to explore their areas using sustainable travel. Each site has carefully curated bespoke two-day trails leading from their train stations and using public transport to access beautiful, culturally-rich activities and destinations.

This has been made possible through UNESCO’s Local to Global programme which is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to connect over 60 designated sites—including Biospheres, Geoparks, Creative Cities, and World Heritage Sites—to foster sustainability, resilience, and community-led action. The initiative connects local action to UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2030 Agenda, fostering peace and sustainable development.

Discover the South West

The South West is packed full of UNESCO sites to discover. We’ve teamed up with Great Western Railway to bring you a South West trail like no other.

Explore
Map of southwest England with highlighted sites including Exeter, Penzance, Cornwall Mining Landscape, Exeter City of Literature, North Devon Biosphere, Dorset and East Devon Coast, English Riviera, and City of Bath, featuring icons of animals, landmarks, and activities.
Map of southwest England with highlighted sites including Exeter, Penzance, Cornwall Mining Landscape, Exeter City of Literature, North Devon Biosphere, Dorset and East Devon Coast, English Riviera, and City of Bath, featuring icons of animals, landmarks, and activities.
A digital line drawing of a mountain range with rugged peaks and detailed lower slopes against a black background.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • No — our Geopark designation covers the whole of Torbay, following the Torbay Council boundary exactly: land, towns and 41.5 km² of sea.

  • No — the Geoplay Park in Paignton is a fantastic geologically themed play park, but it is one facility within the English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark, just like Kents Cavern or Berry Head.

  • No — the status is granted for four years at a time, after which every Geopark must undergo revalidation by UNESCO evaluators. The English Riviera has passed every revalidation since designation in 2007.

  • UNESCO is a recognised brand of quality. The status encourages people to visit and businesses to locate here, opens doors to like-minded partner organisations across the world, strengthens funding bids, and helps local people — especially young people — understand and connect with the place where they live.

  • Geopark partner organisations are not allowed to be involved in the sale, or unsupervised collection, of geological material. The status places no other restrictions on land management — it imposes no additional legislation.