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Discover Devon’s Globally Important Landscapes, Heritage and Natural Wonders
Devon is home to several internationally recognised landscapes and heritage sites linked to UNESCO programmes. From dramatic fossil-rich coastlines and historic mining landscapes to protected natural environments and globally important heritage cities, these designations highlight the county’s unique contribution to world heritage.
Together, Devon’s UNESCO-recognised areas showcase the region’s natural beauty, cultural heritage, geology and biodiversity, making it one of the most fascinating destinations in England for visitors interested in history, nature and exploration.
The Jurassic Coast (East Devon)
The Jurassic Coast is Devon’s only official UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stretching from Exmouth in East Devon to Dorset, this extraordinary coastline reveals 185 million years of Earth’s history through its cliffs, rock formations and fossils.
Visitors exploring the Devon section can experience:
The coastline is also part of the South West Coast Path, offering spectacular walks and opportunities to discover fossils washed from the cliffs.
Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape
The Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape celebrates the region’s global influence on mining during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Within Devon, the historic town of Tavistock and parts of the Tamar Valley form an important part of this UNESCO landscape.
Here visitors can explore:
Historic mining sites such as Devon Great Consols
Industrial heritage buildings and mining landscapes
The beautifully preserved market town of Tavistock, shaped by mining wealth
This site demonstrates how technological innovations developed here influenced mining industries around the world.
Exeter - A Historic Heritage City
The historic city of Exeter is recognised internationally as part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, highlighting its cultural significance and long history of learning, literature and heritage.
At the heart of the city stands Exeter Cathedral, one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in England, alongside a network of medieval streets, historic quayside warehouses and Roman heritage.
Visitors to Exeter can discover:
Nearly 2,000 years of history from Roman times onwards
Historic underground passages and medieval architecture
A vibrant cultural scene linked to literature and the arts
The Exeter Book - one of the most important surviving manuscripts of Old English literature and has been housed at Exeter Cathedral for nearly a thousand years.
Exeter’s recognition celebrates both its historic legacy and its ongoing cultural creativity.
North Devon Biosphere Reserve
The North Devon Biosphere Reserve is one of the UK’s most important protected landscapes, recognised through UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme.
The reserve covers a diverse area including:
The vast sand dune system at Braunton Burrows
The tidal estuaries of the River Taw and River Torridge
Coastal landscapes and farmland stretching across northern Devon
The Biosphere promotes sustainable living, conservation and wildlife protection while supporting local communities and businesses.
English Riviera Global Geopark
The English Riviera Global Geopark, located around Torbay, is one of only a small number of UNESCO Global Geoparks in the UK.
This remarkable landscape combines spectacular geology, wildlife and human history, with rock formations spanning hundreds of millions of years.
Highlights include:
The prehistoric caves at Kents Cavern, one of Britain’s most important Ice Age sites
