Every summer, millions of Britons queue at silly hours for airport check-ins that seem to take ever longer, just for a bit of heat. Worse still, their flights leave without them.

Here in Devon holidaymakers are unbothered. They easily get to the beaches and moors, watch bats, throw tomatoes and follow brass bands. No boarding pass required.

So where are you taking your main holiday this year? Staycation here in the UK’s most beautiful county, or somewhere further afield? Vote in this week's member poll below. I'll share the results in next issue.

Yours in Devon,

It’s an extravagant backstory that Totnes has lived off for 800 years.

Brutus of Troy, a descendant of the Trojan hero Aeneas, sailed to Britain and landed at “the sea coast of Totnes”. Assisted by his mate Corineus he defeated the local giants, including Gogmagog (thrown off a cliff), and crowned himself Britain’s first king.

A worn granite stump, part of the pavement outside 51–53 Fore Street is known as the Brutus Stone, and is supposedly where Brutus first stepped ashore.

The myth is kept alive annually with a Brutus Mummers Play and Morris dancing, this year led by Dartington Morris and Plymouth Morris. More details here. More history here

Make a day of it by exploring the medieval Guildhall, castle and the steep Totnes streets and the offbeat shops.

10am. Saturday 18th July

At dusk, bats are just getting started and it’s the best time to see and hear them.

Two guided walks use bat detectors that convert ultrasonic calls into clicks, giving you the chance to hear as well as see these fascinating creatures up close.

8.45pm to 10.30pm, Thursday 30th July. Devon Bat Group leads a free walk across the Pebblebed Heaths near East Budleigh. Starts at Wheathill Plantation Car Park. Not accessible. No dogs. Book here

8pm to 9.30pm, Thursday 13 August. Bovey Bat Group offers a riverside safari through the National Trust’s Parke Estate. Introductory talk, then stops at feeding areas. Suggested donation £5. Not accessible. Dogs welcome. Book here

As vegan and plant-based food grows in popularity, Vegan Fairs returns to Piazza Terracina on the Quay next month.

Hot food traders The Big Kebabski and The Vegan Street Diner are booked alongside local artisan traders Dartmoor Chilli Farm and Plant Bakes, among others.

It is not all food: visitors can also browse art, candles, skincare and ethical products.

The central location makes this event easy to build into a longer Exeter day out incorporating the cathedral or shops.

Entry is free, dogs are welcome and the flat site is fully accessible. Exeter St Thomas station and Cathedral & Quay car parks are both 10 minutes by foot.

10am to 3pm, Saturday 1 August, Piazza Terracina, Exeter Quay.

Peek inside the working organic market garden at Trill Farm Gardens, Axminster, as they celebrate peak tomato season.

Tours at next month’s Tomato Fest include a seed-saving demo and insights into the role of bees as pollinators plus a tomato cookery workshop.

For fun, enter the tomato throwing competition and be prepared for some messy consequences!

Enjoy snacks, cakes and seasonal preserves from Old Dairy Kitchen and tomato-inspired ice cream from Cortona Gelato. Stay for the evening for a seasonal produce supper (extra charge).

No dogs. For accessible parking contact the organisers.

2pm to 8pm, Saturday 8th August, Trill Farm Gardens, Musbury, Axminster. Tickets (booking required): £16.

Maggie Baugh is a rising Nashville star. Florence Sommerville is the UK’s country singer of the year. They’re going “head to head” at a North Devon festival next month.

Billed as a US v UK battle, the Big Sheep’s Country Music Festival is more than a transatlantic guitar and vocals showdown.

Local and international support acts broaden the appeal with North Devon’s Josh Beer and Zach Bryan Tribute UK recreating the American star’s storytelling-driven music.

Switchframe Dancers will demonstrate country routines and lead a step-by-step line-dancing workshop. You do not need to be a country music expert!

The venue appears accessible, but check with the venue for this specific event.

4pm to 10pm, Saturday 1st August. The Big Sheep, near Bideford. Tickets: £21. Tents £11, campervans £16.

What makes you take a chance on an event you’ve never heard of?

hardinga13 said: “I like events that are a bit different but they also need to be on a bus route or within walking distance”

angela and jooles selected an unusual idea and added that: “a good description of the event also helps”

500 brass instruments. 30 bands, 10 West Devon villages.

It’s a spectacular, wonderfully chaotic celebration of brass bandery. It’s Bandamonium!

Next Saturday, 25th July, bands from all over the country jump into minibuses and get carried around the villages in rotation, stopping for sets of up to 20 minutes.

You can stay in one place and let the bands come to you or, when seats are available you can get a ride to the next village free of charge (musicians take priority).

Bands play everything from pop to classical and the 2026 line-up includes bands from Devon and Cornwall, Somerset, Hampshire and Essex.

LOCATIONS: Hatherleigh Square, Northlew, Sheepwash, South Zeal, Sampford Courtenay, Okehampton, Whiddon Down, Spreyton and Sourton (subject to change).

Don’t miss the grand finale around 8pm when all the bands assemble for a mass performance at Hatherleigh Market. Everything is free. Website

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

NEW! 🌊 An escape for 2 to Soar Mill Cove, Salcombe (no closing date given)

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

NEW! 🛖 A free night away for 2 at Little Miller Skali off grid retreat near Holsworthy, North Devon, with private hot tub, fire pit and a king-sized bed. (26th Jul)

NEW! 🐻 A 3-night stay for up to 4 people at Pooh Cottage Holiday Park, Budleigh Salterton (31st Jul)

🍫 A Roly's fudge tasting gift box worth £40 (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

👨‍🎤 Men singing songs, some of them funny

🤕 Bideford’s festival of crashes

🌺 Private Devon gardens open in July

🚢 Plymouth’s boat-curious day out

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

NEXT ISSUE 📚 Torbay Literary Festival

Andy, Esme and Lara