Geopark Discovery Experiences
The Geopark Discovery Experiences offer unique opportunities to delve deeper into our extraordinary region, allowing you to become intimately acquainted with our incredible natural environment and experience the essence of our coastal geopark.
Both residents and visitors alike can participate in wildlife experiences, enjoy holistic and wellness activities, or embark on outdoor adventures.
These experiences are marked with the blue Geopark Discovery Experiences stamp, and help tell the story of our UNESCO Global Geopark.
It’s not just an ordinary day out, it’s an extraodinary experience that you’ll remember for years to come that also provides a chance to learn along the way!
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Our Geopark Discovery Experiences
Sunset Yoga & Meditation - with Nicola Bianca
This popular flow class is based on the belief that mental and physical health are interrelated, and should be conditioned together. Release the stresses of your day both in body and mind allowing you to have a restful evening. In the first half of the class, we flow through gentle vinyasa sequences to build strength and stability and in the second half of the class, we will explore restorative postures to go deeper within preparing ourselves for relaxation. Ending with a long guided meditation to help bring clarity to the mind. Suitable for all levels with modifications offered throughout. An extraordinary yoga class within the English Riveria Geopark helping you to connect with 400 million old rocks underneath you!
Sunrise Yoga & Meditation - with Nicola Bianca
Awaken & align your body with this rejuvenating flow class. Step on your mat and move through wakeful postures that get the mind and body ready for the day ahead. Each class involves waking up the body, creating heat & energy with Sun Salutations then features a peak pose or sequence before ending in cool down and 10-minute grounding meditation. Suitable for all levels and bodies! An extraordinary yoga class within the English Riviera Geopark helping you to connect with 400 million old rocks underneath you!
Agatha Christie's Extraordinary Life - with English Riviera Walking Tours
Thanks to our extraordinary landscape and mild climate, Agatha's parents were enticed to move to Torquay. War with Napoleon 200 years ago prevented the wealthy Victorians from travelling to the French Riviera for the winters. So, they looked for a suitable area of the UK which matched the climate and coastline of the French Riviera and our Geopark provided the perfect solution! This is why Torbay is also known as The English Riviera....and Torquay considered itself the Queen of the Riviera.
And it's our Geopark which inspired Agatha to write numerous novels like the ABC Murders and Murder on the links. The caves at Kents Cavern provided Agatha's first introduction to archaeology, which helped her to write The man in the brown suit.
Join this award winning tour to hear how our extraordinary natural surroundings enabled Agatha to become the world's greatest crime writer.
Geology, Wildlife and Cave Kayak Tour - with Sea Kayak Torbay
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 discussion on how a Geopark assists in the future of our coastlines in minimizing our impacts on the ecosystems within!
Coasteering Geopark 5* Grand Tour - with Rock Solid Coasteering
Our adventures are all about pushing boundaries, daring each other to go further and yes the banter is top shelf. You will scale cliffs, fall into the water, leap from high ledges, balance on ancient plateaus, swim through caves and explore ancient woodlands, you will swim through a natural arch and play ridiculous games. You may even learn a thing or two about geology and natural history! We stop half way for hot chocolate and the Combe has a beach, car park, pub, village green and coastal walks - it's the perfect day out!
Coastal Kayak Safari - with Reach Outdoors
Join us for a captivating half-day Kayak Safari within the stunning English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark.
Our experienced guides will take you on an awe-inspiring kayak journey through which you will travel across almost 400 million years of history, geology, marine life and coastal ecosystems.
As part of this immersive kayaking experience you will journey along areas recognised as Sites of Special Scientific Interest, above important Seagrass meadows and learn what makes up this unique marine environment!
Sunset Sea Kayak Safari with catering - with Sea Kayak Torbay
You will paddle out into the Sunset to our stunning headland where your guide will cook fresh line-caught mackerel fillets slowly on hot-stone whilst watching the setting sun. You will forage for herbs to add to the flavours that blend perfectly with the oils of the fish! We will supply locally baked breads and salads. We will then paddle back in the golden hour as the sky lights up and the first stars appear. A truly magical experience!
Geopark Coasteering Tour - with Reach Outdoors
Embark on an exhilarating coasteering adventure along the stunning English Riviera UNESCO Geopark with Reach Outdoors’ expert instructors, who ensure a safe yet thrilling exploration of this dramatic coastline.
Navigate sea caves, scramble over rugged limestone cliffs and take daring leaps into crystal-clear waters, all while learning about the area's unique geology, marine life, and history.
Whether you're swimming through gullies, discovering hidden coves, or experiencing the rush of jumping into water, this guided tour offers an unforgettable blend of adrenaline and natural beauty in one of England’s most breathtaking coastal landscapes.
Tour duration: 3 hours
Cost: £45
Sessions available on select dates between: 26 May 2025 - 25th August (13:30 - 16:30)
Coastal Paddleboard Adventure - with Reach Outdoors
Embark on a scenic and thrilling half day coastal Paddleboard adventure along South Devon's stunning coastline. Lead by an experienced guide, you'll improve your paddling skills and develop new techniques. Enabling you to feel safe and empowered as you enjoy journeying along, discovering hidden coves and visiting idyllic secluded beaches.
Whether you're looking to advance your paddling skills or simply connect with nature and learn more about the local area, this unforgettable experience offers the perfect mix of adventure and tranquillity.
Prior experience required.
Sessions available on select dates between: 26 May 2025 - 25th August (9:00am - 12:00pm)
In the face of huge international declines, here at Berry Head we are extremely privileged to have a small colony of Greater Horseshoe bats roosting in caves in the limestone quarry.
Join us for a unique opportunity to catch a glimpse of one of Britain’s largest bats and listen to their other-worldly echolocation calls using our bat detectors
You’ll also learn about their ecology, the reasons for their decline and what action the Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust is taking to help this species.
Tour duration: 1.5 hours
Dates & times:
Thursday 29 May 8:00pm – 9:30pm
Thursday 19 June 8:30pm – 10:00pm
Thursday 31 July 8:00pm – 9:30pm
Thursday 28 August 8:00pm – 9:30pm
Cost: £8.00
Discovery Evenings - with Kents Cavern
Date: Thursday 24 April (18:00 - 20:00)
Join Discovery Evenings at Kents Cavern, set within the breathtaking UNESCO English Riviera Global Geopark. These expert-led presentations take you on a journey through time, unveiling the rich history, geological wonders, and archaeological treasures of this extraordinary landscape. Designed for curious minds and lifelong learners, these exclusive events offer a deeper exploration of the cave’s mysteries and its significance within the Geopark. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a science lover, or simply intrigued by the unknown, our Discovery Evenings provide a unique opportunity to engage with the secrets of the past in an unforgettable setting.
Each Discovery Evening is unique and covers a different fascinating topic. The event starts with a complimentary hot drink which you can take into the cave with you, where our presentations typically take place. Following the talk from our guest speaker, you’ll have the opportunity to go further into the cave to explore.
Our Discovery Evening topics are centred around either our caves, prehistory, geology or other relevant historical topics.
For our current events, please visit our What’s On page
Tall Tales and Sea Shanties - with Rock Solid Coasteering & Out Of Tuna’s
Dates between:
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Starting from the picturesque village of Maidencombe, on the northern edge of the Geopark, this 3 mile circular walk takes in the true splendour of the English Riviera, with spectacular panoramic coastal and woodland views.
Throughout the tour guests will hear stories and myths of this area recounted by Ziggy who has lived all his life in the village, which has a rich smuggling history and haunted heritage.
The gruesome past will be blended with war tales and more recent shocking stories as you make your way around the rugged coastline. Listen to the mysteries of the unknown grave digger; the missing German pilot who crashed at Maidencombe during World War 2 and giant octopus!
The tour ends on Maidencombe beach where guests will have the privilege of joining the Out Of Tuna’s – a madcap group of locals, who sing shanties about smugglers, fishermen and fair maidens – group participation will be encouraged! This will be a truly memorable experience as the sun sets on the English Riviera Global Geopark!
Accessible Geopark Journeys - Healthy Selfie
Healthy Selfie Geopark Journeys are three accessible trails around the seafront areas of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham, aimed at getting people out in the fresh air and discovering some extraordinary facts along the way.
They have been commissioned by the English Riviera BID Company, the English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark and Torbay on the Move. The trails were put together by Tonic Creatives, with the support of Living Options to be as accessible to as many people as possible. For more trails you can follow, see the 'Healthy Selfie' section below.
Don’t forget to tag us at: #HeathySelfie, #ExtraordinaryGeopark and #EnglishRiviera. We would love to see your photos.
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