☀️ Happy Holidays Devon Lovers!

We can’t help getting enthusiastic about the sheer variety of amazing stuff to do in this county.

This week read about great shows indoors and out, an unusual festival, Sunday lunch on a scenic railway and free fireworks.

Plus, in the listings, 22 other fun, interesting and exciting events coming up.

There’s something for everyone.

Enjoy!

Kaboom!

We’ve seen hundreds of images of Smeaton’s Tower over the years but few have the impact of this banger.

The ever popular British Fireworks Championships explodes on Plymouth waterfront on Wed 16 and Thurs 17 August.

The Hoe is the best spot to watch as six invited firework companies fight for the champion’s title over two nights.

Other recommended viewing areas include Queen Anne’s Battery and Jennycliff.

Each night you get to see 3 stunning 10-minute displays, fired from Mountbatten Pier, all free.

With the addition of live music from Heart FM, plus a fun fair, it makes a great evening out for all the family.

The competition kicks off at 9.30pm each evening. Plymouth Hoe PL1 2PA.

They say small is beautiful at quirky Tiny Gatherings festival

If you prefer little and quirky to big and mainstream, the bohemian Tiny Gatherings Festival from Fri 25 to Mon 28 August might be just for you.

This family and dog-friendly festival near Okehampton strives to be different, so you can hear inspiring talks from creatives and solo adventurers, or unwind with a wellness session and eat Venezualan food.

Think van life, tents and tiny houses. You’ll find exhibitors showcasing their van spaces, Land Rovers, utility vehicles and buses.

For kids there are forest school activities including making your own wooden mallet and story-telling under the stars.

Weekend tickets £100.38

The nostalgia of the classic car in a beautiful country park setting

Classic cars evoke history, nostalgia and childhood memories, and it seems like they’ve never been more popular.

The Classic Car Show combines the classy with historical at the grand and Grade I Listed Lyneham House on 3 September.

Organised by the Saltram Rotary Club, proceeds go to the Devon Air Ambulance and last year £1,900 was raised.

As well the nostalgia there’ll be food and drinks stalls, jazz band, and a bouncy castle. Why not enter your classic?

Lyneham House, Lyneham, Yealmpton, Plymouth PL8 2LG

All singin’ and dancin’ 42nd Street at the Theatre Royal, Plymouth, 7-12 August

It’s big… it’s bright… it’s a brand new production of the showbiz musical 42nd Street in Plymouth.

As feel-good shows go this one deserves the description iconic, with its parade of song and dance favourites.

They include 42nd Street, We’re In The Money, Lullaby of Broadway, Shuffle Off To Buffalo and I Only Have Eyes For You.

Young and beautiful Peggy Sawyer arrives in New York City dreaming of her name in lights.

She catches the eye of a big-time director and lands a spot in a Broadway chorus line.

When the leading lady gets injured, Peggy gets her shot at stardom.

The show stars former East Enders star Samantha Womack (Janus), comedian and actor Les Dennis and Steps singer Faye Tozer.

Theatre Royal, Plymouth PL1 2TR Tickets from £33.

Hear the roar of the Merlin at the Sidmouth Air Show, 25 August

However many times you see (maybe it’s feel) one fly past, there’s something intensely moving about the Spitfire.

Maybe it’s nostalgia from those Battle of Britain movies, the graceful shape of the wings, or the primeval roar of the Merlin engine.

Experience it for yourself at the Sidmouth Air Show on Fri 25 August as part of the town’s Regatta Weekend.

Thrills start at 5pm with a 6-plane formation display followed by the two main aircraft that defended Britain in 1940 (now close to 80 years old): the Hurricane and perhaps the most famous fighter plane in the world, the Spitfire.

For the final flourish, The Red Arrows wow with synchronised flying and manoeuvres that will have you OMGing until the end of the afternoon.

Sidmouth Sea Front EX10 0NW. Free. Lots of parking, most just a few minutes walk from Sidmouth beach.

🪙 Collectors are needed to shake buckets and rattle boxes from 4pm to ensure this free event continues. To volunteer contact [email protected]

Lunch or tea with a moving view on the idyllic South Devon Railway

Idyllic is an overused word but we think it’s appropriate for the feeling of rolling through the Dart Valley countryside savouring a delicious Sunday roast.

A 3-course traditional feast with local ingredients will be served at your seat on a 12.10pm from Buckfastleigh to Totnes, returning at 1.30pm.

The ticket includes the first class fare, plus unlimited travel on other South Devon Railway services on the same day (not including drinks). It’s £59 per person, minimum two people.

Then, if you’re feeling indulgent, step back aboard at 3.45pm for more beautiful scenery with afternoon tea, and enjoy scones, cream and jam (in that order) returning at 5.15pm. £39, min 2 people.

Tempted?

Listings

🌊 North Devon

JULY

Fri 28 to Sun 30

FOOD FESTIVAL | 👨‍🍳 Devon Street Food Festival with Moroccan, Caribbean, Greek, Mexican, Afghan, and Uzbek tastes | Victoria Pleasure Gardens, Ilfracombe EX34 9AR | Free entry.

AUGUST

Wed 2

COUNTRY SHOW | 🐄 North Devon Show with livestock, parades, crafts, live music | 8am to 6pm | Umberleigh Barton, Umberleigh EX37 9DX | Advance tickets, adult £16, child 5-15 £3.

6 Aug

GARDEN OPENING | 🌲 Lewtrenchard Manor, summer colour including sunken garden and restored walled vegetable garden, in aid of St Luke’s Hospice | Okehampton EX20 4PN

Fri 11 to Sun 13 Aug

BEACH SPORTS | 🏉 Weston Beach Rugby and Netball Festival, with mens, womens, and mixed/family 5 asides. | Weston-super-Mare BS23 1AS | Team entries: Rugby £150. Netball £100. Veterans £50.

SEPTEMBER

Fri 1 to Sun 3

LIVE MUSIC | 🤘 Shebfest, north Devon’s largest music festival, with Razorlight and Liberty X | Allacott Farm, Shebbear, Beaworthy EX21 5TF. Day tickets, adult £62, U18 £52.

Fri 22 to Sun 24 Sept

SURF YOGA RETREAT | Surf South West, Croyde Bay, one of the gems of north Devon’s coast | Single person £380 per person. Two sharing £335.

🐬 South Devon

JULY

Thur 27 to Sat 29

MUSIC FESTIVAL | 🎸Altitude, original independent music of all genres. Blackborough, near Cullompton EX15 2H | Tickets from £35. Parking charges extra.

Fri 28 to Mon 31

ARTS FESTIVAL | Exmouth Festival of film, music, literature, drama and crafts | Download the app | Free.

Sat 29

CANDLELIT CONCERT | 🎶 A Tribute to Hans Zimmer in the 360° Dome, Duke Street, Devonport, Plymouth PL1 4PS | Tickets £15 to £40.

TRIBUTE ACT | 🎸 Pure Queen | Sheldon Centre (outdoor venue), Doddiscombsleigh, Exeter EX6 7YT| Tickets. Adult £18, child U14 £12, child U3 free.

Sun 30

GARDEN OPENING | 🌳 Flete House, Italianate gardens, shrubbery and water gardens, in aid of St Luke’s Hospice | Ermington, Ivybridge PN21 9NZ | Tickets £6 on the day. Free for U16s

AUGUST

Fri 4

CANDLELIT CONCERT | 🎻 A Tribute to Queen at the National Marine Aquarium, Rope Walk, Coxside, Plymouth PL4 0LF | Tickets £15 to £40.

Fri 4 to Sun 6

VEHICLE SHOW | 🚜 Torbay Steam Fair, with vintage cars, commercial vehicles, motorbikes, military vehicles and tractors | Kennels Showfields, Dartmouth Road, Churston Ferrers, Brixham TQ5 0JT | Adults £12, Concessions £10, U16s £6.

Fri 4 to Fri 11

LIVE MUSIC | 🎸 Sidmouth Folk Festival with concerts, ceilidhs, folk dances, children’s festival, storytelling, workshops and dance displays | Events range from free to £37. Tickets.

Fri 11 to Sun 13

TRIBUTE BANDS | 😎 Big Tribute Fest | Takes on Coldplay, Elton John, Dolly Parton, Little Mix, Elvis, Queen, Abba, Tina Turner, Oasis, UB40, Ed Sheeran, Robbie Williams, Steps and Beyonce | Central Park, Plymouth PL2 3DQ. Tickets from £15 adult, £10 child.

Sat 19 to Sun 20

CHEESE FESTIVAL | 🧀 The Tavistock Real Cheese Fair | Cheeses, bread, chutney, wine and cider | Tavistock Town Hall PL19 0AE | Free entry.

SEPTEMBER

CHARITY EVENT | ☀️ The Great Big Paddle Board Parade | World record paddleboarding attempt and fund-raiser for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) | Torbay | Standard tickets £15 per paddler.

OPEN GARDEN | 🌳 Bowringsleigh, West Alvington, near Kingsbridge, in aid of St Luke’s Hospice.

Sat 9

SWIM / RUN | 🏊‍♂️ 🏃‍♀️Rocky Horror Swim Run | Choice of distances. Long: 4 swims (2 km) and 3 runs (15 miles), medium: 3 swims (1.5 km) and 2 runs (12 miles), short: 2 swims (1 km) and 1 run (7 miles) l Start 1.30pm | Hope Cove, Galmpton TQ7 3EY | Solo, relay or pair tickets from £25.

Mon 18

GEOLOGY | ⛏ Day Trip with Stuart Line Cruises. 6.5 hour seaborne tour of South Devon’s coastal geology | Exmouth | 10.30am to 5pm. £25 per person.

Sept 24

RIVER RUN | 🐟 Salmon Run 50 mile ultra marathon, relay and 5K run along the River Exe | Ultra £30, Relay (4-8 people) £15, 5K £5. Booking. 

OCTOBER

Sat 2

CYCLE CHALLENGE | 🚴 Tour of the Moor around Dartmoor for all abilities in aid of St Luke’s Hospice | Harrowbeer Airfield, Yelverton PL20 6BU | Register.

Want your event listed? Email us.

Not interesting or unusual enough? Want more?

As a lifelong Devon fan I’ve come up with my list of 50 of the most exciting and interesting activities, attractions and curiosities.

Whether indoors or outdoors, active or relaxed, family or individual, there’s something for everyone.

Discover 50 unique, unusual and “different” things to do in glorious Devon (downloadable PDF) today when you refer a friend

That’s all for this week, but here’s the deal.

We’ll keep finding the exciting, surprising, interesting and cool things to do.

You tell everyone you know who loves Devon.

Fair?

With love, cream and jam (in that order).

😎 Andy and the Go Devon! team