Geopark Festival returns with packed programme of events

The Geopark Festival returns to the English Riviera this May, with organisers promising its biggest edition yet.

Running from Friday 23 May to Friday 30 May, the festival celebrates the region’s status as a UNESCO Global Geopark — a designation it has held since 2007.

Delivered in partnership with Geopark Partners and Associate Partners, the annual event includes in-person and online activities, creative workshops and scientific sessions designed to showcase the area’s cultural, historical and natural significance.

Events will take place across Torbay, and both residents and visitors are invited to explore the English Riviera’s diverse landscape and heritage.

Festival highlights include:

• Meet the Artist sessions, offering insight into the creative process
• Hands-on scientific experiments and beach discoveries at the Beach Lab
• Discovery Sessions exploring the region’s geology and ecology
• Sunrise meditation by the sea
• Traditional sea shanty singing on the beach
• With 22 events scheduled, the programme aims to offer something for all ages. Online activities will also be available for those unable to attend in person.

Cllr Jackie Thomas, Torbay Council’s Cabinet Member for Tourism, Culture & Events and Corporate Services, said: “We are fully committed to protecting our planet and the Bay, and our UNESCO designation only strengthens that commitment.

“The Geopark Festival highlights the importance of our unique history, and we are working with partners to educate, protect, and celebrate our natural, historical, and cultural environment.”

“We hope that residents and visitors will enjoy the Festival and make the most of what we have to offer across our glorious Bay.”

Melanie Border, English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark Co-ordinator, said: “This annual event allows us to celebrate all aspects of the Geopark and our UNESCO designation.

“Through our key partner sites and associate partners, the festival aims to tell the Geopark’s story from a cultural, environmental, and historical perspective.”

“All events and activities have been designed to show how naturally inspiring our region is, and how Global Geoparks are not just about rocks.”

Torbay’s Geopark status was first recognised in 2007. In 2015, it became a UNESCO Global Geopark as part of the newly introduced International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme.

The designation is a commitment by Torbay Council to celebrate, conserve and enhance the area’s environment, heritage and culture.

Details of all the festival events can be found at:

www.englishrivierageopark.org.uk/section_main.cfm?section=5350