One of Devon’s craziest, madcap bonkers events takes place on Sunday. And it’s free!

If you can, get yourself along to Bideford to watch the Soapbox Derby.

It’s a glorious celebration of community spirit run entirely by volunteers and a traditional spectacle rarely matched in these days of “health and safety”.

Locals have been constructing homemade vehicles to brave the steep hill, chicanes obstacles and “wipe out corner” since 1953. Last year there were 45 entries.

If you attend, consider donating to help local charities and help keep this piece of authentic Devon fun going for years to come.

More detail and watch a video here

10am to 4pm. Sunday 6th July

P.S. Do you know any events like this that Go Devon! should be covering? Email me direct: [email protected] I always answer emails.

Meeting old friends at the Riviera Classic Car Show

If you don’t get car shows, let me explain. It’s the nostalgia.

Even I get all misty eyed when I see my old friend the BMW 2002 (I had 2, back in the day), and I’m not even a car fan!

WHAT’S ON SHOW: Rare examples from the early 1900s and many classics from the 1950s onwards will be among the 400 cars ready and waiting for admiration.

• Exhibitors come to Paignton seafront from around the country to share their passion with strangers.

10am to 4.30pm, Sunday 27th July. £3 suggested donation. (£70,000 raised for charity since 2016).

READER POLL

Last week’s result. What’s your ideal Devon day out? (2,861 subscribers)

• Coastal walk + pub lunch 33%

• Historic town + cream tea 33%

• Hidden countryside + picnic 33%

Attention divers: Want to swim with a seal?

For a bucket-list wild animal encounter, guided Lundy Island seal dive trips could be just the ticket as a gift or treat for a nature fan.

WILD, BUT FRIENDLY: Experts say seals are one of the most diver-curious sea creatures and reliably show up at known spots around the island.

Dive sites are shallow and sheltered, but you need a PADI Open Water qualification or equivalent, regardless of experience.

Dives are available on selected dates until October from Ilfracombe.

An all day trip with 2 guided dives from Easy Diver, starts at £204.

Going fast! Rare backstage tours at the Theatre Royal Plymouth

Dates have been set for tours up until the end of January 2026, but don’t hang around as they sell out quickly.

WHAT TO SEE: Get to glimpse dressing rooms, wings and backstage areas in The Lyric, Drum and The Lab, the orchestra pit, the trap-rooms and front-of-house areas.

DATES: 22nd August, 7th November, 5th December, 2nd January 2026.

• The tours are usually on a Friday morning and last about 90 minutes. Tickets: £15

You can make requests for private tours. Contact [email protected]

The surprising sights of night-time rockpooling

Some sea creatures are best seen at night, and a few actually glow in the dark.

Shine an ultra violet light in a rockpool and you can get surprising and stunning results, like the anemones above.

GUIDED TOURS: Join the beach rangers at Combesgate near Woolacombe this summer to see the fish, crabs, sea snails, starfish and anemones that might not be visible during the day.

• Not all of them glow of course, but it’s fun to see them at night time.

DATES: Wednesday 23rd July to Thursday 21st August, times vary due to tides. Adults and accompanied children 8+ Tickets: £8

Devon Curiosities #65: Dartmoor Prison Museum

Tales of escape, brutal punishments and confiscated weapons. They’re all there in this no frills memorial to Britain’s most remote prison.

Dartmoor Prison Museum gets warm reviews from visitors keen to understand what life was really like on the inside, then and now (although the prison temporarily closed in 2024).

HISTORY: Perhaps no other British lock-up has seen such variety of inmates from French and US prisoners of war to conscientious objectors, murderers and gangsters. It was opened in 1809.

• The museum has examples of items made by prisoners from animal bones and matchsticks, paintings done by prisoners and handmade weapons.

WHAT ELSE? The prison cemetery with the graves of inmates over more than 200 years can be viewed by appointment through the museum.

WHAT ELSE IS ON?

🌊 North Devon 

🐬 South Devon

🏆️ Get lucky! Win Devon leisure prizes

FEATURED: 🌺 2-nights for 2 at Northcote Manor, a wisteria-clad 18th century country house hotel with spa and an AA award-winning restaurant. Full English breakfast each morning and a 3-course dinner on the first evening (20th Jul)

NEW!  ⛺️ A 2-night camping trip for 6 at South Dean Camping, North Devon (5th Jul)

NEW!  🛶 A 1.5-hour family kayak or paddleboard session in Exmouth suitable for all abilities with all equipment provided (15th Jul)

NEW!  🐮 2 tickets to the Mid Devon Show taking place on 26th Jul. Only Only EX or TQ postcodes can enter (18th Jul)

NEW!  🐆 1 of 4 family tickets to Exmoor Zoo (23rd Jul)

🪡 1 of 5 pairs of tickets to the Creative Craft Show and The Stitching Show in Exeter this September (24th Jul)

NEW!  🏰 A 1-night stay at Dartington Hall near Totnes with afternoon tea. Only EX or TQ postcodes can enter (31st Jul)

🐮 A luxury 3-night farm stay experience for up to 4 people at Little Comfort Farm, North Devon (31st Jul)

🐑 A 4-night stay for 4 people in Dipple Mill Cottage, self-catering in the North Devon countryside (20th Aug)

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

🌊 A 1-night stay in the art deco hotel at Burgh Island, South Devon (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)

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

New member? Catch up here

💀 Storm strikes outdoor Macbeth

🪙 Honiton Hot Pennies Day

🫖 Our best places for a summer cream tea

🍺 The 700-year-old beer ritual still alive in Devon

That’s all for this week.

Thanks for being a member.

Andy, Esme, Lara and the Go Devon! team