🌞 Welcome Devon sun lovers,

This is Go Devon!, a weekly newsletter showcasing fun, interesting and unique things to do in Devon. Thanks for being a subscriber. Was this email forwarded to you? Sign-up here.

Hurtle down a 410ft water slide

The latest fun outdoor activity is underway in South Devon, with 3 giant summer water slides open for business.

If flying down a slippery slope in an inflatable ring or on a body board is your thing head over to one of these venues.

Mammoth Slip and Slide, in Exeter, is £13.50 per person for 1 hour. The slide can be booked for private hire. Open every day from 10am to 5pm. Greendale Farm Shop EX5 2JU

Massive Slip and Slide, near Ottery St Mary, costs £12 for 2.5 hours. Open 9:30am to 12pm and 1pm to 3:30pm. Best to book. Chineway Road, Sidbury EX10 0QQ

The Slip and Slide Adventure at Ashcombe near Dawlish is 282ft and costs £15 a hour. Open 10am to 5pm.

Rock For Heroes (and for you rock fans)

Classic rock anthems and laughs from a 7-piece band putting their all into a celebration of the biggest rock anthems.

Rock for Heroes covers Guns ‘n’ Roses, Bon Jovi, Van Halen, Dire Straits, Fleetwood Mac, Meatloaf, Queen and many more.

Reviews show what a fun evening this can be. “Every year they get better and better. The musicianship, the humour, the entertainment is one of a kind.”

7.30pm to 10pm. Friday 1st November. Tickets from £18

Palace Theatre, Paignton TQ3 3HF

Classic movies outdoors on the big screen

Saltram House has been called the most impressive country house in Devon. What a backdrop for a night of cinematic escapism under the open sky.

Over 4 nights in September sit outside with your deckchair and picnics and choose from 3 hit films. The area is flat and wheelchair friendly.

Thursday 12th Sept. Grease (1978). Sing-A-Long with with Danny and Sandie.

Friday 13th Sept. Top Gun (original) (1986). The action-packed classic with Tom Cruise.

Saturday 14th Sept. Mama Mia! (2008). The ABBA-tastic musical romance.

Sunday 15th Sept. Back to the Future (1985). Mind-bending time travel.

All shows 6.30pm for 8pm start. Tickets from £16.98.

The biggest north Devon festival of transport

View a stunning collection of historic and classic vehicles at this festival of history on wheels in Bideford.

North Devon’s biggest vehicle show has classic and vintage cars and motorbikes, commercial, agricultural and military vehicles plus craft markets, food stalls, and family entertainment.

10am to 4pm, Sunday 11th August. Entry £5, accompanied U16s free. Proceeds to charity.

Bideford Victoria Park, Kingsley Road EX39 2QQ

The “best” beaches to visit in Devon (there are so many)

Spoilt for choice. That’s the problem facing Devon beach lovers.

So the official tourist authority Visit Devon has picked 6 of the best to help you make a start. But they’re not saying it’s an easy decision.

Woolacombe. Huge and sandy, you’ll never be short of space. The beach has its own watersports centre for surf and kayak hire, and nearby parking.

Saunton Sands. Also in the big and expansive league, Saunton is home to one of the largest sand dune system in the UK and particularly famous for surfing.

Dawlish Warren. Close to the town and railway station, a lovely sandy beach with all the facilities nearby. Also near a nature reserve.

Goodrington Sands. Just outside Paignton, Goodrington is popular but never feels overcrowded. At low tide explore rock pools or get out on the water for boat or pedalo hire.

Westward Ho! 2 miles long, a great place to spread out. A mix of sand and pebbles and plenty of little rockpools, plus a sea swimming pool and beach showers.

Torre Abbey Sands. A soft, sandy beach close to the centre of Torquay, nice and flat and great for paddling.

The best part? There’s none of that getting up early to put your towels on the sunbeds…

Devon Curiosities #19: House of Marbles

Unique is an overused adjective but not for House Marbles, which has been offering a one-of-a-kind day out for more than 50 years.

It’s a shop, a glassworks, restaurant, games garden and there are several museums. And they make and sell glass marbles, pottery, board games, classic toys, puzzles, pastimes and home and garden accessories.

Fun and entertainment include marble runs, animated animals, fairground mirrors, penny presses and a huge floating marble.

Keep your eyes open, as surprises and amusements are tucked away in every corner, adding an element of mystery. Video.

Without giving it all away, look out for the secret door in the garden and a snoring bear.

Truly a one-off. Find out more.

The Old Pottery, Pottery Road, Bovey Tracey TQ13 9DS

WHAT ELSE IS ON

🌊North Devon

AUGUST

Thu 8th

SHOW | 🐷 Okehampton Show | Stoney Park Showground EX20 1SW | Adult tickets £15, U16s free

Fri 9th

ANIMALS | 🕷️ Exmoor Zoo creatures at RHS Rosemoor | RHS Garden Rosemoor, Torrington EX38 8PH | Adults free, U16s £3 - General admission into the garden is also required

Sun 18th

WILDLIFE | 🐚 Summer Rockpool Rambles | Combesgate Beach, Woolacombe EX34 7EB | Tickets £5 | Other dates in August and September

Thu 22nd

SHOW | 🐐 Holsworthy and Stratton Agricultural Show | The Showfield, Pyworthy EX22 7JP | Adult tickets £14, U16s £5, family £40

Fri 23rd

DISCO | 🪩 Silent Dance Party in the Woods | Wild Woods Bar, South Molton EX36 4RR | Tickets £20

Fri 23rd to Sun 25th

ROAR | 🦖 Dinosaur World Live | The Landmark Theatre, Ilfracombe EX34 9BZ | Tickets from £17

Fri 30th to Sun 1st Sept

MUSIC | 🎤 On the Road Music Festival | Saunton Road, Braunton EX33 1HG | Adult tickets from £30, U18s tickets from £10

SEPTEMBER

Sat 7th

ART TALK | 🖼️ The Da Vinci Michelangelo Experience | Queen’s Theatre, Barnstaple EX31 1SY | Tickets from £29.50

Sun 8th

CHALLENGE | 🏊 Bideford Triathlon 2024 | The Quay, Bideford EX39 2EY | Register here

FESTIVAL | 🦀 Lobster and Crab Feast 2024 | Clovelly Harbour, Bideford EX39 5TF

🐬South Devon

AUGUST

Fri 2nd to Fri 9th

FOLK | 🎵 Sidmouth Folk Festival | Events happening in Sidmouth town centre | Individual event tickets here (£0-£37)

Fri 9th to Sun 11th

MUSIC FESTIVAL | 🎻 Dartmoor Folk Festival | Various locations in South Zeal - View the programme here | Weekend tickets: Adults £70, children £50

Wed 14th and Thu 15th

FIREWORKS | 🎆 British Firework Championships | Plymouth Hoe PL1 2PJ | Free

Thu 15th

COUNTRY SHOW | 🦆 Chagford Show | Dogmarsh Fields, Mill End TQ13 8JN | Adult tickets £15, U17s £5

Mon 19th

DRINK | 🍷 VINOYASA Wine Tasting | Jenkins Quay, Bantham | Tickets £39

Sat 24th

MARINE LIFE | 🐟 Snorkel Safari with the Ocean Conservation Trust | Mount Batten, Plymouth PL9 9XH | Adult tickets £25, children (12-16) £22.50

Mon 26th

COUNTRY SHOW | 🐑 Lustleigh Village Show | Kelly Farm TQ13 9SW | Adult tickets £10, U14s £4, family £25

Thu 29th to Sun 1st Sept

ENTERTAINMENT | 🐎 Festival of the Iberian Horse | Westpoint Centre, Clyst St Mary, Exeter EX5 1DJ | Daytime tickets from £8, evening shows from £35

SEPTEMBER

Sat 7th

COUNTRY SHOW | 🦙 Kingsbridge Show | Borough Farm TQ9 7QP | Adult tickets £12.50, U17s £3

Sun 8th

MOTORING | 🚗 Saltram Rotary Classic Car Show | Lyneham Estate, Yealmpton PL8 2LG | Adult tickets £5, U16s free

🏆️Win Devon prizes

We find Devon prize competitions so you don’t have to.

Closing dates in brackets. Terms and conditions apply, see individual websites for details.

You could win:

NEW!  🌊 A midweek getaway for two adults for a 3-night stay in a 1-bedroom lodge near Lynmouth. (No closing date given)

NEW!  🏠️ A 3-night family cottage holiday with hot tub near Exmoor, worth £550. (No closing date given)

NEW!  🌺 A prize bundle from Dartington Crystal including a tour ticket for 2 adults, 2 tickets to paint your own glass, and a handmade floral vase. (No closing date given)

🎹 2 tickets to an Elton John tribute by candlelight (Tomorrow, 9th Aug)

💷 A £75 voucher for an Exmouth beach bar and restaurant ( 13th Aug)

🫧 A luxury summer spa retreat at Boringdon Hall, Plymouth (19th Aug)

🛏️ A 2-night bed and breakfast break at the Redcliffe Hotel, Paignton (30th Aug)

NEW!  🍸️ A canned cocktail bundle worth £80 (31st Aug)

🍏 A Devon food adventure bundle: thatched inn stay, cider tour, £135 bakery voucher, distillery tour, flapjack box (31st Aug)

🛏️ An overnight stay with dinner at a dreamy Salcombe coastal hotel plus a local brewery tour (30th Sep)

That’s all for this week, but…

With Devon love,

Andy, Esme, Lara and the Go Devon! team