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A natural wonderland and a thriving seaside resort — with so much to see and do, you’ll want to plan your time here.

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Our Geopark is the best of all worlds. It is a natural wonderland, full of wildlife and stunning landscapes, but it is also a thriving seaside resort, well set up for all sorts of adventures for all sorts of energy levels. With so much to see and do, you’ll need to plan your time here.

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WHAT’S ON

Events, guided walks, talks and exhibitions through the year.

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THINGS TO DO

Activities for every pace, from geocaching to coasteering

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How to get here

The English Riviera Geopark encompasses the entire area of Torbay on the south coast of Devon, combining the three towns of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham. It is easily accessible:

  • By train: GWR and other operators run regular services into Torquay and Paignton.

  • By air: Exeter Airport is only 45 minutes from the resort.

  • By sea: Brittany Ferries operates a frequent service between Roscoff and Plymouth, 55 minutes away.

  • By coach: National Express has drop-off and pick-up points in Torquay, Paignton and Brixham.

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Getting about in the Geopark

The English Riviera has an extensive public transport system with a network of high-frequency Stagecoach bus services — the number 12 runs the whole coastal route across the English Riviera (Newton Abbot – Torquay – Paignton – Brixham), with the X46 linking Exeter and the X45/X80 linking Plymouth and Totnes.

Discounted day tickets are available. Taxis are easy to find at the train stations and harbours (main ranks: Torquay Station and Harbour; Paignton Station; Brixham town centre), and the seasonal Western Lady Ferry links Torquay and Brixham across the Bay.

Coaches stop at Torquay Coach Station (Lymington Road), Victoria Coach Park in Paignton, and Brixham (New Road / Bank Lane).

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Staying in the Geopark

With a huge range of attractions, award-winning beaches and a stunning Geopark coastline, the English Riviera is the perfect holiday destination — from hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses to self-catering, holiday parks and campsites. Find accommodation on the English Riviera. The award-winning Visitor Information Centre on Torquay Harbourside is available all year round on 01803 211211.

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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.

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Map of southwest England featuring locations like Penzance, Exeter, Bristol, and Salisbury, with symbols of animals, landmarks, and points of interest.
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