Thank’s for the positive feedback about the July open gardens feature.

Following requests I’ve added information about accessibility and dog access for each garden. See them on the updated Devon open gardens July 2026 page.

As always, please check with the venue before you travel.

Speaking of feedback, thanks also to Jenny who wrote these lovely and much appreciated words about Go Devon! Newsletter.

“Informative, mixed events appealing to all. Not all really expensive! Love this news letter - thank you for collating.” Nice one Jenny!

If you have feedback or suggestions, positive or otherwise, pick 1 of these 2 options and comment if you like.

Yours in Devon,

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Why do we get such a thrill from watching someone about to crash?

That’s the jeopardy at the heart of the Bideford Soap Box Derby this Sunday, a guaranteed action day out.

The event packs out Grenville Street and High Street, so best to get there mid-morning if you want a good spot.

The drama is free to watch, starts at noon and lasts about 4 hours with 2 runs per competitor.

Pill car park on Kingsley Road is within walking distance and free all day on Sundays, or the Cattle Market car park is £2.60 for the day.

Afterwards you could:

Sunday 5th July, Bideford Town Centre. More info

There’s a buzz at the Royal William Yard in Plymouth when the monthly Good Food & Craft Market is running - quality stalls, sizzling street food and sea views.

This Sunday 5th July, regional makers and artists offer up their artisan bread and pastries, jewellery, artwork and handmade gifts (usually 50-60 traders).

If you’re early you might get a parking space at the nearby Devil’s Point car park (3 hours free), or pay for a slot inside the Yard.

Buses 34 or 34A run from Royal Parade in the town centre, or for a sea breeze catch the ferry from the Barbican.

10am–3pm. Free entry. Dogs welcome outdoors. More info

A full comedy stage rising in front of a castle is a slightly surreal sight - but adds to the atmosphere of these 3 fun nights later in July.

For a fuller outing you could spend some time at Starcross, walk beside the Exe Estuary, grab an afternoon tea then making the 10-minute trip to Powderham.

Tickets: from £24.30. Parking on site must be booked in advance: £6.

All kinds of music, performance and art. All kinds of standards, ages and experience in all kinds of venues.

That’s the community ethos of TaviFringe, Tavistock’s creative weekend now in its 5th year.

Here’s a taste of the venues and line-ups:

All events are free (booking advised). See all the events here

How often do you go on guided walks?

Sarah chose several times a year: “There's some great meetup groups that I walk with.”

Laura takes guided walks once or twice a year. “We’ve done a few guided walks at National Trust properties over the past few years. Always been very interesting.”

Richard prefers walking independently: “I like finding walks and discovering places perhaps other people don't know about”

Elizabeth selected very occasionally: “Need to be accessible as I use a buggy”

For those who like checking out mysterious old sites, how about the former woodland swimming pool in Ivybridge?

Today the site is slowly disappearing beneath the trees in Longtimber Woods, but you can visit and imagine the scene as seen in this vintage postcard.

HISTORY: The pool was converted from a disused reservoir in the 1920s. Soldiers of the US 116th Infantry Regiment used it to train for D-Day, and Ivybridge folk carried on swimming there into the 1960s.

Today, the outline of the pool and some water control machinery remain as an atmospheric piece of Ivybridge history.

LOCATION: Park on the roadside near the viaduct at the top of Station Road. Enter Longtimber Woods and follow the riverside track north, keeping the River Erme on your right.

The pool is about half a mile, near a picnic area. The out-and-back walk takes about an hour, and there are waterfalls to enjoy too. Parking location

FEATURED: 🧵 1 of 11 pairs of tickets (worth £12 each) for the Creative Craft Show 24th to 26th September at Westpoint, Exeter (14th Jul)

CLOSING! 🌳 A 2-night stay for 4 people at The Den, a luxury treehouse in North Devon (midnight today 2nd Jul)

🍷 A 2-course dinner for 2 at ISCA restaurant, Exeter (10th Jul)

🎫 A £1,000 holiday voucher to spend at Ladram Bay Holiday Park (13th Jul)

NEW! 🐑 A pair of tickets to the Mid Devon Show on 25th July (EX or TQ postcodes only may enter. Closes 17th Jul)

NEW! 🍸 A spa day for 2 near Dartmouth (EX or TQ postcodes only may enter. Closes 31st Jul)

🎫 A £600 voucher to spend at farm-to-table retreat Glebe House near Colyton (2nd Aug)

🫒 A 2-night stay for 2 with dinner at the award-winning Millbrook Inn, Kingsbridge, plus a foodie hamper (13th Sep)

Did you win something? Let me know

🌺 Private Devon gardens open in July

🚢 Plymouth’s boat-curious day out

🔔 Teignmouth Folk Festival

🐶 Your invite to doggie heaven

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

NEXT ISSUE The Spooky Men's Chorale

Andy, Esme and Lara