One of Earth’s Extraordinary places!
At first glance, the English Riviera might seem an unlikely place to be recognised by UNESCO but delve just a little deeper and you’ll find the area’s unique and internationally significant geology has influenced its stunning landscape and biodiversity leading to one of the highest concentrations of land and marine based designated sites in the UK. With a wealth of recognised historical and cultural sites too, the geology has even shaped the area’s incredible human history. From providing shelter to the earliest prehistoric people and animals in Kents Cavern, to creating ideal conditions for the monks to thrive at Torre Abbey, it protected Nelsons fleet out in the bay from the prevailing winds and of course enabled the development of Brixham as a fishing port. A place that has influenced both artists and writers, the Geopark is packed full of stories to share from 400 million year old fossils to the life of Agatha Christie. All of this and more contributes to our Geopark story.
The English Riviera was first recognised as a Global Geopark in 2007. Since then, the Global Geopark Network has grown and in 2015, UNESCO fully recognised the ground-breaking community-led achievements and success of all the Geoparks around the world through the introduction of the UNESCO Global Geopark programme.
- There are 213 UNESCO Global Geoparks spread across 48 Countries (9 are found within the UK).
- The designation is recognised by UNESCO (United Nations Education Science and Cultural Organisation) as part of its International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme.
- UNESCO Global Geoparks designation is not just title imposed from above but they are active community-led initiatives. Once awarded the designation is reviewed and revalidated every 4 years.
- UNESCO Global Geopark status is awarded to remarkable places with extraordinary, internationally significant geology with stories to share of interweaved and interlinked natural, historical and cultural heritage, highlighting the relationship between them. Geoparks share and celebrate the Earth’s incredible geological journey and its remarkable impact on all we know and experience today.
- The UNESCO Global Geopark model is a driver for education, community benefits, expansion of the tourism offer, and social and economic sustainable development.
- All UNESCO Global Geoparks around the world celebrate their internationally significant geology and interrelated environment, heritage and culture.
- The purpose of a Geopark is to explore, develop and celebrate the links between that geological heritage and all other aspects of the area’s natural, cultural and intangible heritage. It is about reconnecting human society at all levels to the local area, to the wider environment and to celebrate how our planet and it’s 4,600 million year long history has shaped every aspect of our lives and our societies.
- Mindful of the climate and ecological emergencies UNESCO Global Geoparks also work to raise awareness, enrich lives and support development and well-being of their local communities whilst leading by example and encouraging all to protect the environment.
- All UNESCO Global Geoparks are aligned to support the 17 Sustainable Development Goals for 2030
- The boundary of the English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark covers the same area as the unitary authority of Torbay
- The English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark is approx. 100km2 it includes the important marine environment of Torbay.
- The English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark Core and Associate Partners work collectively to fulfil the requirements of retaining this important recognition for Torbay
- Whatever age, underground, overground or out on the water, there are many sites to visit and ways to explore the Geopark. From exhilarating coasteering to tranquil guided walks and outdoor yoga, the Geopark’s experienced partners provide a range of unique and fun ways to connect with this extraordinary place. An intriguing place where past meets present.
The fundamental, underlying basis of our designation is the internationally significant geology of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham made up of:
Devonian – approx. 400 million years ago: The grey limestone rocks of the Bay, easily seen at Hopes Nose and Berry Head, were formed in warm tropical seas south of the equator.
Carboniferous – approx. 310 million years ago: Huge tectonic forces moved the limestone northwards and it was squashed, folded and faulted when two continents collided and a large mountain range formed as a result. The mountains later eroded away leaving our folded limestone rock visible at the surface again seen along the coastline between Torquay Harbour and Hopes Nose.
Permian – approx. 270 million years ago: Pushed further north and now landlocked in the middle of a huge supercontinent, all of our now red rocks, were formed in a desert where millipedes over 2 metres roamed. This was roughly where the Sahara Desert is today. Today these red rocks are easily seen around Preston, Paignton and Maidencombe.
Quaternary – from 500,00 years ago: Roughly in the position where we are today on the planet, rainwater and streams carved out caves in the limestone which became shelters for animals and early man. Evidenced at Kents Cavern, Torquay Museum.
www.englishrivierageopark.org.uk