L O C A L S T U D I E S E D U C A T I O N S E R I E S THE ENGLISH RIVIERA GLOBAL GEOPARK “Torbay is a place which endears itself to the patriot, the naturalist and the artist.” Charles Kingsley, author of The Water Babies LIBRARIES THE ENGLISH RIVIERA St Mary’s Bay, photo courtesy of English Riviera Tourism Company GLOBAL GEOPARK What is a Geopark? A Geopark is an area of outstanding This geology has strong links to the Did you know? geological, ecological and cultural history of science and culture, not In 1854, one of the Victorian era’s natural history luminaries, author Charles interest. To qualify for European least as Torbay includes sites crucial Kingsley, marveled at more than one aspect of natural history in Torquay. He Geopark status, it must comprise to the initial characterisation of the explored the marine life along the coastline, resulting in the publication of his geological sites of international Devonian Period. The area includes research, Wonders of the Shore and, residing significance in terms of their scientific one of the highest concentrations of near Torre Abbey (the resort’s oldest building) quality, rarity, beauty or educational protected geological sites in the UK developed an idea for his classic historical novel value. In September 2007 The English with 11 nationally protected sites and Westward Ho! In a letter to a friend, Kingsley Riviera became the 32nd member of the 15 regionally important sites. acknowledged the source of his inspiration: European Geoparks Network (itself a ‘Torbay is a place which endears itself to the part of the Global Network of National Did you know? patriot, the naturalist and the artist. We cannot Geoparks). The English Riviera Geopark The geological timeframe universally gaze on its blue ring of water and the great is the only urban Geopark, with a accepted as the Devonian Period was limestone bluffs which bound it to the north and population of 134,000 in an area of so named after Victorian members south, without a glow passing through our hearts 2 2 62km and 42km of sea. of the Palaeontographical Spciety as we remember the terrible and glorious pageant … when the Spanish Armada ventured slowly The English Riviera has a rich and found fauna in a range of sites across Devon, including Lummaton Quarry past Berry Head with Elizabeth’s gallant pack of well-exposed geological heritage, from Devon captains … following fast in its wake …’ Devonian reefs to Pleistocene bone-caves. in Torquay. Charles Kingsley Kents Cavern Riviera Global Geopark, Professor of Kents Cavern The Geopark today Geoscience Communication at Plymouth The Ice Age Situated within the rolling hills of South University, presenter of BBC TV’s How home of Britain’s Devon, the English Riviera’s geology Earth Made Us and Earth:The Power of earliest humans is has created a beautiful coastline which the planet): fundamentally links the rich diversity a spectacular cave of landscape with wildlife, people “At first glance, the crowded shores of the system which is and culture. Upon Torbay’s award of English Riviera would seem an unlikely now a protected Geopark status, the area’s importance to scene to create a Geopark. But amid national monument, the natural sciences was acknowledged the scattered urban mosaic of Brixham, international show by Iain Stewart (Patron of the English Paignton and Torquay - tucked away in cave and the only the valleys, on hilltops, along blood-red underground gateway bluffs or steel-grey sea stacks - is some to the Geopark. Did you know? of the best geology in southern Britain. But there is more to this Geopark than Honoured for his geological work and simply a fascinating window into our cavern exploration in Torbay, William Key sites ‘key’ sites are those that are closely connected to the geopark. planet’s distant heritage. The resonance Pengelly (1812-94), was showing a of these truly ancient roots endure in the Torre Abbey party of people his amazing natural modern make-up of this intricate coast - its Our most important and ancient You can now also explore the most monument, now fully restored, ancient parts of the building where history discoveries at Kents Cavern architecture and buildings, its culture and presents centuries of architectural and some amazing finds have been when a lady enquired: ‘Do you really artistic roots, its creation of sense of region cultural history. unearthed. think, Mr Pengelly, that this is more and place. Simply, the Geopark is where Torre Abbey than 4,000 years old?’ people, rocks and landscapes meet.” ‘Yes, madam, I think you may add another nought to that number and ‘Gateway’ sites still another; in fact you can make ‘Gateway’ sites are those with a very visible it as noughty as you like’ was the Geopark focus and where identification and humorous reply. guides are available for visitors. Berry Head National Nature Reserve Nature meets geology with spectacular results in a location of diverse flora and fauna, dramatic Napoleonic war fortifications and unrivalled views across Torbay. The Seashore Centre On the shores at Goodrington is a community resource equipped with seawater tanks displaying marine wildlife, interactive displays and a video microscope where you William Pengelly can explore our tropical seas of the past. Torquay Museum The European and The English Riviera’s Ranked among the finest in the south The 32 Geosites West, Torquay Museum covers a wealth Global Geopark Geological Timeline Babbacombe Cliffs of local natural and cultural history, 400 million years ago Barcombe Mews Quarry, Shorton presented in Network During the geological timeframe universally Barton Quarry engaging and Founded in 2000 the European accepted as the Devonian Period, the interactive Geoparks Network (EGN) Berry Head to Sharkham point English Riviera was located south of the displays all was initiated by just four areas: Black Head and Anstey’s Cove the family can Reserve Geologique de Haute equator. Warm seas during the Devonian Breakwater Quarry, Brixham era produced marine creatures and corals enjoy. Provence (France), the Petrified Brokenbury Quarry, Churston that accumulated layer upon layer to form Forest of Lesvos (Greece), Ferrers Geopark Vulkaneifel (Germany) and outstanding examples of limestone found Brixham Cavern Cruises Maestrazgo Cultural Park along the coast at Berry Head, Hope’s Nose Chapel Hill, Torre Greenway (Spain). By 2004 the success and Walls Hill. Ferries enable of the EGN was recognised Churston Cove / Churston Point you to view and this led to the global 300 million years ago Crystal Cove the English development of the network. These limestone deposits were pushed Daddyhole Riviera’s As of October 2010 the Global stunning northwards, being folded and broken Dyers Quarry Geopark Network comprises geology from under pressure as a giant mountain chain Goodrington Quarry and Road a total of 77 members across the sea whilst developed. This event caused Babbacombe 25 countries. Today, working Cutting providing full Cliffs to turn ‘upside down’, so that the and interesting together as a global partnership Hollicombe Head to Corbyns Head dark slates at the bottom of the cliffs are commentaries Oddicombe and Petitor with common goals to Hopes Nose: Marine Devonian that make for a enhance public awareness , actually younger than the pale limestones Hopes Nose: Mineralogy of SW great introduction understanding and appreciate of of Babbacombe Downs at the top. England to the impressive natural beauty of the natural world and the culture of the Hopes Nose and Thatcher Rock: the area. area whilst promoting sustainable forms 280 million years ago Quaternary of SW England of economic development, the network Torbay only shifted north of the equator Hopes Nose South Occombe Farm includes some of the most stunning during the Permian Period. The area Connecting food, farming and the places of natural beauty in the world, in was then in the middle of an arid desert Kents Cavern landscape, Occombe is a working countries as diverse as Australia, Brazil, that produced the area’s characteristic Long Quarry organic farm that welcomes visitors to China, Iran and Malaysia. red sandstone cliffs, prominent today at Lummaton Quarry its nature trails, education Meadfoot Sea Rd centre, farm shop and café. Saltern Cove and Goodrington. New Cut Cockington Court and 1.8 million years ago Oddicombe Country Park The dinosaurs came and went and sea Petitor, Maidencombe levels dropped during the Quarternary Set in 450 acres of beautiful Quarry Woods Quarry, Cockington Period, when the English Riviera was close parkland, Cockington brings Roundham Head to its present position. Freshwater streams local traditions and creativity Saltern Cove: Marine Devonian together with its thriving carved out a network of cave systems in Saltern Cove: Permian Triassic craft centre, organic garden, the limestone at Brixham Cavern and stables and play area. Kent’s Cavern. These later became home Sharkham Iron Mine to our earliest ancestors. Shoalstone Cockington Court EUROPEAN GEOPARKS NETWORK Murder in the Geopark MEMBER LIST - October 2010 Torbay’s major tourist attractions - the world’s most popular author agatha 1. Réserve Géologique de Haute 21. Bohemian Paradise Geopark – Christie and The English Riviera Geopark - are inextricably linked. Torquay Provence – FRANCE CZECH REPUBLIC Museum has a permanent exhibition celebrating the life of the ‘Queen of Crime’ 2. Vulkaneifel European Geopark – 22. Cabo de Gata – Nijar Nature Park – while the gardens of Torre Abbey feature a Agatha Christie Potent Plant display GERMANY Andalucia, SPAIN that offers an expert insight into the poisons used in her murder mysteries. agatha’s father Frederick Miller was a fellow of the Torquay Natural History 3. Petrified Forest of Lesvos – 23. Naturtejo Geopark – PORTUGAL Society (now Torquay Museum society) that funded a fifteen year excavation GREECE 24.