You speak and we listen, so we’re on the case to find you more arts and crafts events.

91% of you who answered our reader poll last week enjoy craft experiences.

So we’re upping the listings we publish from drawing and painting to jewellery making and wood carving and everything in between.

How about this one? OK, The Slow Stitching, abstract, Embroidery Hoop workshop might sound daunting, but you just need to know how to thread a needle and then go with the flow. The results make intriguing modern art pieces.

It’s on at The Plough@StAnne's, Barnstaple at 6.30pm on Wednesday 3rd September.

Yours in Devon,

P.S. Don’t forget to check the regularly updated events listings for where you live, (including art and craft events).

Coming up in North Devon, learn how to grow plants for free, make soap, hear a talk about Bideford ceramics, run a 14K charity race and listen to free jazz Click here

In South Devon book a paddle steamer trip, visit an extreme circus, listen to Elvis in a cathedral or sea shanties on a quayside. Click here

75+ events celebrating 368 square miles of wild beauty

Showcasing the best of the moor, the Dartmoor Outdoor Festival (a rebrand of the Dartmoor Walking Festival) takes place between Friday 29th August and Friday 5th September.

Princetown is the hub for 75+ events but the workshops, climbing, live music, family friendly events, film showings, running events and guided walks happen across the moor.

Choose from a breath workshop at the Dewerstone (led by a special mission pilot and climber), a Belstone stone circle walk and swim, a Chagford ghost walk, a moorland navigation course, or an introduction to mosses, ferns and lichens at Norsworthy Bridge.

Not forgetting sunset yoga at Hound Tor, a guided photography walk from Bellever, and an orienteering challenge at Haytor.

And that’s just a flavour.

Download the full programme

See wild beavers in Plymouth

Yes, you read that right. You can see them gnawing away in a protected enclosure at Poole Farm in the Bircham Valley.

Not that they know it, but the beavers are part of the first urban beaver reintroduction in the country.

Environmentalists want to show the ability of these “ecosystem engineers” to rewild areas by felling trees, damming rivers and creating wetland habitats for birds and fish.

Opportunities to see them are limited. This autumn join the Gnaw and Explore Beaver Tour at 5.30pm on Friday 26th September or at 4.30pm, Friday 24th October.

Tickets are £13.96.

Poole Farm, Platinum Parkway, Leigham PL6 8NF

Sandcastles and tug of war at Hope Cove’s seaside weekend

It’s a British seaside summer rolled into one weekend where everyone’s welcome and most events are free.

Here’s Hope Cove’s community weekend summarised for you.

• ACTIVE: Paddle board and kayak races, sailing, a jogger’s race and tug of war.

• SEDATE: Beach yoga, sea fishing, pilates and sandcastle competition.

• FUN: Fancy dress and dog fancy dress, a hoe down, fireworks and trade stalls to buy souvenirs.

• MUSICAL: Live sessions from Filthy Gorgeous, The Penguins, General Confusion and an open mic (it could be you).

The weekend raises money for the local lifeboat, the harbour wall repair fund and the Methodist Church, so if you go please give generously.

P.S. Think about transport arrangements as parking in Hope Cove is tight to say the least.

Appledore Book Festival: 20 years of celebrating the written word

“Where stories are told, imagination runs wild, and the written word becomes an experience.” Festival website.

Readers and writers come together in the North Devon seaside town at 100 events over 10 days starting on Friday 12th September.

WHAT’S ON: Talks from high profile authors get sold out early, but these were still available on the website when I looked.

• Iain Dale: Memories of Margaret Thatcher. In conversation with Selaine Saxby. 5.45-6.45pm, Saturday 13th September, St Mary’s Church, £12

• Damien Lewis: SAS Great Escapes, 7.30-8.30pm, Saturday 13th September, St Mary’s Church, £12

• Romy Gill’s India: Recipes From Home. In conversation with Jo Rees. 12.30-1.30pm, Sunday 14th September, Community Hall £12 (includes Indian treats)

• Fern Britton: A Cornish Legacy. In Conversation with Veronica Henry. 12.30-1.30pm, Thursday 18th September, main tent at Skern £12

But there are plenty of free events to help you enjoy that written word experience.

See the full programme and book here

MEMBER POLL

Last week’s result: “Are you a fan of craft experiences?” (3,048 subscribers)

• I love them! 91%

• They’re not my thing 9%

Margaret said: “I love any interesting crafts, especially those relating to Devon”

“Love a good craft fair, craft shop or crafting courses” said Laura.

Sarah said: “Please include more craft activities and workshops in your newsletter!” (We’re on it Sarah!)

Devon Curiosities #72: The Templer Way

We have granite to thank for this 18-mile walking trail and fascinating piece of industrial history.

The Templer Way follows the path of the Haytor Granite Tramway and Stover Canal, both built by the Templer family over many decades.

HISTORY: Stone hunks were hauled from Haytor Quarry across Dartmoor, floated along the canal to Teignmouth Docks and loaded on ships for London building projects.

• The original London Bridge (now in Arizona), the National Gallery and British Museum were built with the granite.

• Businessman James Templer built the canal in 1792 and his son George built the tramway in 1820.

The route takes you through open moorland, woodlands and along the Teign estuary, passing through Bovey Tracey, Stover Country Park and Newton Abbot.

A walk of the entire route walking at moderate pace should take between 7-8 hours, according to AllTrails. Trail map and guide here (Visit Dartmoor).

WHAT ELSE IS ON?

🌊 North Devon 

🐬 South Devon

🏆️ Get lucky! Win Devon leisure prizes

FEATURED:  🌊 A 3-day stay for 2 at the Saunton Sands Hotel in North Devon in a deluxe sea view room with breakfast on all 3 days and dinner on one night, plus £100 of holiday spending money (29th Sep)

A 7-night stay for up to 5 guests in a platinum-rated caravan at a holiday park in Devon, plus £200 of park spending money (Today, 21st Aug)

🚌 1 of 4 family tickets worth £120 each to be used at one of Devon's Top Attractions, plus free bus travel (24th Aug)

🍻 A 12-pack case of Bays Brewery Devon Rock Craft Lager and gift items (26th Aug)

NEW!  🦉 A 1-night stay in the wood-lined Owl’s Nest tree house in South Devon with sauna and hot tub (31st Aug)

NEW!  🏨 A 1-night bed and breakfast break for 2 at the Future Inn, Plymouth (31st Aug)

♨️ A spa day with cream tea at The Spa, St Sidwell’s Point, Exeter. Only EX and TQ postcodes can enter (31st Aug)

⛱️ A £250 holiday voucher to spend at either Ruda, Sandaway, or Combe Martin holiday parks in North Devon (31st Aug)

 🐑 A £250 voucher towards a North Devon & Exmoor farm holiday (31st Aug)

🐎 2 tickets to Don Quixote at the Theatre Royal Plymouth in March 2026 and a Spanish food and cookery book (31st Aug)

🍨 An 8-litre bundle of scrumptious, award winning Salcombe Dairy ice cream or sorbet (31st Aug)

🥳 A “Devon escape” package worth £900: a 1-night pub stay, £100 cafe voucher, cider mill tour and cider, dinner in a Kingsbridge restaurant, a 4-month coffee subscription and a £100 beer bundle and some cookware (31st Aug)

⛵️ A sailing weekend for 2 on a classic yacht from Dartmouth with an experienced skipper and all meals included (31st Aug)

🐕️ A 4-night break in an East Devon cottage with its own dog friendly enclosed garden and views across open countryside (30th Sep)

🪙 A £500 holiday voucher for a Dawlish family holiday park, plus attraction vouchers - survey (30th Sep)

❓️ Have you won a prize from a link here? Let me know

New member? Catch up here

🧂A pinch of Salt Path 

🫢 A shocking case of BMW 2002 envy

⚓️ A Devonport sailor and an urgent telegram

🤹 10 days of open air events in Plymouth, many free

That’s all for this week. Thanks for being a member.

NEXT WEEK: World class choral music in the heart of Devon

Andy, Esme and Lara