UNESCO Geopark Festival

About Us

The English Riviera’s breath-taking landscape has designated UNESCO Global Geopark status, one of only seven in the entire UK and 140 in the world. A place where you can touch a very special part of the Earth’s story and be amazed by the extraordinary landscapes, mountains, coastlines, places and people.  UNESCO Global Geoparks share the story of our Planet. 

Celebrate our designated UNESCO Global Geopark at this year's Geopark Festival. A wide range of events will be available to visitors and residents at a number of locations across the bay. There's a range of events taking place all week for you to enjoy, explore and experience all of the different aspects of the Global Geopark.

The annual festival provides the ideal opportunity for locals and visitors to discover what makes Torbay’s geological and cultural history so unique and special. There’s a wide range of free and paid for events all week that can help all ages enjoy, explore and experience all the different aspects of the Geopark.

From art exhibitions, fossils, trails, caves, workshops, nature spotting, guided walks and special sightseeing tours from the sea taking place across Torquay, Paignton and Brixham, there is something for everyone.

Why not stay over for this event?  Click here to search for accommodation availability.

Events include:

Our Place in the Seven Heavens - Art Exhibition
Sat 25 to Fri 31 May
Venue: Artizan Gallery, 7 Lucius Street, Torquay, TQ2 5UW
Time: Tues-Fri 11:00-18:00 & Sat 10:00-18:00   Cost: FREE
Booking required: No
Further info: 01803 428626

Fun, Beach Cleans & Paddle for Plastic!
Sun 26 & Mon 27 May
Venue: Churston Cove - Beach
Clean - 16:00 on Sun 26 May /
Breakwater Beach - Beach Clean - 16:00 on Mon 27 May
Cost: FREE (Paddle for plastics must provide your own kit)
Booking required: No
Further info: www.facebook.com/

Tree Guardians CleanerCoasts/Spotter sheet
Sat 25 to Fri 31 May
Venue: Visitor centre Cockington
Village Time: Visitor centre open from 10:00-16:00 Cost: 50p per sheet.  Booking required: No
Further info: 01803 605639

Ice Fest
Sat 25 to Fri 31 May
Venue: Kents Cavern Prehistoric
Caves Time: 09:00-16:00  Cost:  All activities included in the cave admission Booking required: No
Further info: www.kents-cavern.co.uk/events | 01803 215136

Rock Stars Trail
Sat 25 to Fri 31 May
Venue: Torquay Museum
Time: Museum opening hours
Cost: FREE with Museum admission
Booking required: No
Further info: 01803 293975

Prehistoric Brixham - Caves
Tues 28 & Thur 30 May
Venue: Brixham Heritage Museum
Time: 10:00-14:00 Cost: FREE
Booking required: No
Further info: 01803 856267

Fossil Hunt & Street Art Fossils at Torre Abbey
Tues 28 May
Venue: Torre Abbey - Outside the Learning Lab Time: 10:30-12:30 Cost: FREE family drop in session for 3+ years.
Booking required: No
Further info: 01803 208746

Guided Geopark sightseeing Kayak tour
Tues 28 to Fri 31 May
Venue: Shennel Cove, Meadfoot
Beach Time: 10:30-14:00
Cost: £85 per tandem, £50 per individual. Booking required: Yes
Further information:
01803 912963

Prehistoric Brixham - Pottery Workshop
Wed 29 May
Venue: Brixham Heritage Museum
Time: 10:00-12:00 Cost: Free drop in session for 8-13 year old children, accompanied by a responsible adult.
Booking required: No
Further info: 01803 856267

Ancient Bugs Grow Big
Fri 31 May
Venue: Learning Lab-Torre Abbey
Time: 11:00-15:00
Cost: £5 per family
Booking required: Yes
Further info: 01803 524950

Scrap Rocks & Fossils
Thur 30 May
Venue: Torre Abbey Museum
Time: 10:00-12:00 Cost: £3 per child (£5 per family) Booking required: Yes Further info: hello@squirclearts.co.uk

Sea Kayak Taster Sessions
Fri 31 May
Venue: Reach Outdoors,
Goodrington Time: 09:30-10:30, 11:00-12:00, 12:30-13:30, 14:00- 5:00 Cost: £10 a head
Booking required: Yes
Further info: 01803 524950

Cockington Court Sculpture Trail 19 Launch Week
Sun 26 May to Fri 31 May
Venue: Cockington Court
Time: 10:00-16.30 Cost: FREE
Booking required: No
Further info: 01803 607230

Super Fossils at Torre Abbey!
Sun 26 May
Venue: Torre Abbey Museum
Time: 10:30-12:30
Cost: £3 per child (£5 per family)
Booking required: No Further info: hello@squirclearts.co.uk

The Brilliant Bug Home Scavenger Hunt
Mon 27 to Fri 31 May
Venue: Occombe Farm
Time: 10:00-15:30 Cost: £2.50 per sheet Booking required: No
Further info: 01803 520022

If Not Now- An interactive performance workshop with One Step Theatre
Saturday 25 May
Venue: Torre Abbey
Time: 14:30-16:00 Cost: FREE
Booking required: Yes
Further info: www.eventbrite.
co.uk/e/if-not-now-interactiveperformance- workshoptickets-59021041524

Berry Head Guided Walk
Mon 27 May
Venue: Berry Head
Time: 14:00-16:30 Cost: £3 per head, children free Booking
required: No Further info: 01803 844102 Mobile 07768 418417

Become a Stone Age Cave Artist
Wed 29 May
Venue: Torquay Museum
Time: 10:30-12:30 & 13:30-15:30
Cost: FREE with Museum admission Booking required: No.
Suitable for all ages.
Further info: 01803 293975

Prehistoric Brixham - Art activities
Sat 25, Tues 28, Wed 29,
Thur 30 & Fri 31 May
Venue: Brixham Heritage Museum
Time: 10:00-14:00 Cost: FREE  Booking required: No  Situated within the stunning, rolling hills of South Devon boasts one of Earth's extraordinary places, the English Riviera's geology has created the beautiful coastline of today, which fundamentally links the rich diversity of landscape with wildlife, people and culture. 

What is a Geopark..

UNESCO Global Geoparks are single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development.

A UNESCO Global Geopark uses its geological heritage, in connection With all other aspects of the area’s natural and cultural heritage, to enhance awareness and understanding of key issues facing society, such as using our Earth’s resources sustainably, mitigating the effects of climate change and reducing the impact of natural disasters.

By raising awareness of the importance of the area’s geological heritage in history and society today, UNESCO Global Geoparks give local people a sense of pride in their region and strengthen their identification with the area.

The creation of innovative local enterprises, new jobs and high quality training courses is stimulated as new sources of revenue are generated through geotourism, while the geological resources of the area are protected.

For more information on the English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark please visit the official website. 

The Official Guide to the English Riviera Global Geopark is available to purchase online, from the English Riviera Visitor Information Centre in Torquay or by calling 01803 211211.