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Introduction to the Geology of Devon

Key Geological Features

What is Geodiversity?

The Importance of Geological Conservation

What are County Geological Sites?

County Geological Sites Across Devon

Identification & Monitoring of Sites

Educational Use & Visiting Sites

South-West Regional Geodiversity Partnership

GeoConservationUK

Links & Resources

Contact Us

EDUCATIONAL USE AND VISITING SITES

Geological sites can be great places to visit! Most of Devon’s County Geological Sites are situated in beautiful environments with the scenic views that the Southwest of England is renowned for and so the Devon RIGS Group would like to encourage people to get out there and enjoy our countryside and geology for yourself.

Leisure Geological Sites to Visit
For more general information on some geological sites to visit across the County, including walking routes and recommended sites, or if only a great day out, please see the ‘Discover Devon Geology Booklet’ or go to the Devon County Council website on the following link:
http://www.devon.gov.uk/ddgeology.pdf

Or alternatively try Devon County Council’s website on ‘Where to see geology in Devon’:
http://www.devon.gov.uk/index/environmentplanning/natural_environment/geology/geologymap.htm

Educational Geological Sites to Visit
Geology is taught in most of the universities and colleges in the Country and is now also part of the national curriculum taught in schools. It is also one of the most popular subjects followed in adult education courses and there are a number of amateur geological societies in Devon, among them the geological section of the Devonshire Association. Hence, there is a great need to identify places where students of all ages can go to learn about geology in their local area; for this reason the educational potential of County Geological Sites is one of the criteria used in their selection.

For a full detailed list of Devon’s RIGS suitable for educational fieldtrips and visits please go to the ‘Education Register of Geological Sites’ on Devon County Council’s website geology pages, which you can find using this link:
http://www.devon.gov.uk/index/environmentplanning/natural_environment/geology/educational_register.htm

The Devon RIGS Group’s number one priority is the safety of site visits. Not all County Geological Sites are safe to visit, some may be part of an unstable cliff, in remote moor land areas, submerged at high tide, or in working quarries. A large proportion of sites are also privately owned. It is therefore imperative that safety precautions are carried out before entering any sites.

Key safety precautions before entering any site:

  • Check you have the proper outdoor equipment – stout walking boots, warm clothes, sun protection, etc.

  • Be aware of daylight hours and tide times (if visiting a coastal site).

  • Carry appropriate safety wear – high visibility jacket if visiting a road-side site, hard hat, etc.

  • Always check if permission is required to access the site, and ensure this permission is granted from the relevant landowners before entering the site.

For more information on this and to find out about the Geological Fieldwork Code see the following link:
http://www.devon.gov.uk/geo-gafieldworkcode.pdf