🌊 Dear Devon Fans,

Don’t miss out on your chance to win Devon freebies.

More new leisure, food and events prizes are in our listings below, but be quick, some close this weekend.

Remember, you have to be in it to win it!

Watch the beasts as they prowl around under a full moon

There’s a full moon on October 28th and probably no better time to see animals at night, including wolves, at Wildwood Devon.

Leave your torch at home and hopefully you’ll experience the night habits of bears, lynxes and foxes, in their enclosures at the 45-acre wildlife park.

Guided night tours, led by a specialist, include a hot meal, served 30 minutes before the start, and last approximately 1.5 hours. Starts at 6.30pm.

Wildwood Devon, Ottery St Mary, Devon EX11 1LU

Tickets. £30

“Bash and burn” and help the flowers grow at Woolacombe

If you fancy getting stuck in with a bit of physical work out in the fresh air, this volunteer day at Woolacombe could be just for you.

The National Trust need gorse and vegetation cut back at Morte Point to allow rarer species including maritime grassland and wildflowers, to thrive.

Turn up from 10am on Thursday 26th October to lend a hand, with tools and training provided.

Work continues until 3pm but you can come and go as you please. Children welcome.

For more details email [email protected]

Lessons in how to grow your own ancient tree varieties

Join the Woodland Trust for a morning of collecting and identifying seeds from ancient trees on a Dartmoor hilltop.

You'll also be helping a research project to map trees throughout the South West, and create a stock of local specimens for planting projects.

The event take place at Hembury Hillfort near Buckfastleigh on Friday 20th October and is free, but booking is essential.

• A 1-mile guided walk through the site, learning about trees, types of seeds and the materials needed for collecting and storing them.

• Collecting seeds from oak, rowan, sycamore, holly, birch, elder and hawthorn.

• Insights into correctly identifying, labelling, storing and propagating.

• The chance to be part of a wider project and see the seeds grow over the next 9 months.

Come prepared for cold and potentially wet weather, with waterproofs and boots. Hot drinks are provided. Please bring your own food if required. No dogs.

9.45am to 1pm. Hembury Hillfort, South Hams, TQ13 7RY.

Learn how authentic ale is made and sample some of Devon’s best

Learning the fascinating process of making amber nectar from spring water and hops is one thing, but what would a brewery trip be without a couple of pints at the end?

On the tour at Hanlons Brewery near Exeter you’ll discover how beer is cared for and served, details that are almost as important as how it’s made.

The evening comprises a tour of the brewing operations and the opportunity to ask questions.

Then it’s on to the beer sampling, food by way of a trio of sliders (mini burgers) and chips, and the chance to buy some bottles to take home (10% discount).

Next tour is Thursday 2nd November, from 7pm to 10pm.

Hill Farm, Newton St Cyres, Exeter, EX5 5AE. Tickets. £30

Your chance to meet a modern day witch

Superstition and fear mean witches have had a hard time over the centuries.

Before the witch trials there were many “canny folk” healing and supporting with wisdom and insights from nature.

Totnes witch Kate Goth has studied the craft since she was 8 and wants to help others awaken their own gifts.

You can meet Kate at her introduction to the art of witchcraft workshop on Saturday 28th October.

Gathered round a fire you’ll learn witchcraft history, and some of the techniques used today, and get the chance to ask questions.

All resources and a home grown campfire lunch are provided. The workshop is open to all aged over 14.

10am to 3pm. Blackberry Barn, Ritson, Totnes TQ9 7JG. Tickets £50.

Learn the dark secrets of Tavistock’s twilight streets

Who better to reveal the darker side of life in a Dartmoor town than a former policeman?

Years on the Tavistock beat allowed Simon Dell to collect a legion of tantalising and intriguing stories.

He shares them on a twilight walk through the streets taking in the history and heritage of the ancient settlement.

Local history includes murder, suicide and other shocking events, so this stroll is not for the faint hearted.

Saturday 21st October. 7.30pm in Guildhall Square, Court Gate Tavistock PL19 0AE. Tickets £6.

🌟 Win Devon Prizes

We find prize competitions so you don’t have to. Entry is free unless stated.

Closing dates are in brackets.

You could win:

New! 🍷 2 nights B & B and dinner in Topsham, near Exeter (15 Oct)

New! 🫥 Hideout stay in the Axe Valley for 2 people with hot tub worth £200 (16 Oct)

🥓 A tasty full English breakfast for 4 people worth £60 (19 Oct)

New! 🐑 All weather family day out at World of Country Life, Exmouth (27 Oct)

☕️ A coffee maker and 3 bags of coffee (30 Oct)

⚽️ Family tickets to England mens and womens football matches at Wembley, EA Sports FC 24 and £10 Amazon vouchers (survey required) (31 Oct)

🏖 A fabulous short break in Torquay (31 Oct)

New! 🎭️ A big night out in Plymouth for two people: theatre, meal and hotel (26 Nov)

⭐️ A “Golden” ticket to Devon attractions worth £1,500 (1 Dec)

Terms and conditions apply. See individual websites.

Got a competition? Let us know.

Listings

🌊 North Devon

OCTOBER

Thu 12th

FILM | 🎥 Paddling the Margins | A film following Jack Hampton’s kayaking expedition down the West coast of Canada, discussing the impacts and solutions to climate change | Scott Cinemas, 77 Boutport Street, Barnstaple EX31 1SR | Tickets £11.55

Fri 13th

CLASSICAL MUSIC | 🎶 Proust’s Salon: Le Concert Retrouve | Plus high tea and opportunity to explore beautiful gardens | Castle Hill Gardens, Filleigh, Barnstaple EX32 0RQ | Tickets £95

MURDER MYSTERY | 🔎 The Portmore Golf Club hosts a murder mystery evening put on by Murder We Wrote, in aid of the Young Lives vs Cancer | Can you solve who the murderer is? | Portmore Golf Club, Barnstaple EX32 9LB | Contact Jenny for tickets on 07767 308469

Fri 13th to Sun 29th

ASTRONOMY | ⭐️ Exmoor Dark Skies Festival | A two week celebration of the night sky, with dusk wildlife safaris, planetarium and astrophysics lectures | Multiple events on Exmoor | Details and prices here

Sun 15th

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES | 🧗 Mission Unbreakable commando challenge | Do you have what it takes to complete a 10km obstacle course? | North Molton Sports Ground EX36 3HG | Registration £45

Wed 18th

BALLET | 🩰 Adaptation of the classic Wizard of Oz story | Queens Theatre, Barnstaple EX31 1SY | Tickets from £22

Sat 21st to Tuesday 31st 

HALLOWEEN | 🎃 Be a student at the School for Witches and Wizards | Learn to cast spells, brew potions and take halloween rides | The Milky Way Adventure Park, Bideford EX39 5RY | Tickets £16.95 for children 3 years and up

Tue 24th

MUSIC | 🎙️ ABBAMANIA | Europe’s best ABBA tribute band comes to Barnstaple | Dance, sing and celebrate the bands iconic tunes | Queen’s Theatre, Barnstaple EX31 1SY | Tickets from £31.50

Wed 25th

TALK | 🎙️ The Wildlife and Ecology of Our Rocky Shores | Learn all about the ecology of North Devon’s coastline from local marine biologist | Braunton Countryside Centre, Caen Street, Braunton EX33 1AA | Tickets £4

LITERATURE | 📖 Spend an evening reading and writing poetry in a workshop hosted by Heart and Wild Poetry | 74 High Street, Bideford EX39 2AD | Free

NOVEMBER

Sat 4th

BONFIRE NIGHT | 🎆 Woolacombe Bonfire and Fireworks Night | An evening of fireworks, drinks and delicious food | The Meadow, South Street, Woolacombe EX34 7BB | Adult tickets from £6.60, U16s £5.50

Sun 5th

RUNNING CHALLENGE | 🏃‍♀️ Bideford 10 mile 2023 | Run along the beautiful estuary whilst helping to raise money for North Devon Hospice | Riverbank Car Park, Bideford EX39 2QS | Registration

Mon 6th

SOCIAL | 🥣 Join a Eat, Meet and Make session at Studio KIND and get to know people in the local area | Studio KIND, Unit 3 Velator Way, Braunton EX33 2FB | Free

Sat 11th

WILDLIFE | 🦉 Take part in a guided walk around Appledore and learn about North Devon’s winter birds | Appledore Bridge, Appledore, Bideford EX39 1NL | Free

Sun 12th

CRAFT | 🎨 Spend the day learning how to block print with designer Annabel Hill, and create your own personalised printed tote bag | Studio KIND, Unit 3 Velator Way, Braunton EX33 2FB | Tickets £50

🐬 South Devon

OCTOBER

Until Sun 15th

HALLOWEEN | 🎃 Pumpkin picking | Pick out your own pumpkin to carve | Terawhiti Farm, South Milton, Kingsbridge TQ7 3JT | Pumpkins from 50p

Thu 12th

CLASSICAL MUSIC | 🎵 A Night at the Opera by Candlelight | Enjoy a performance by London Concertante as they perform well known opera overtures | Exeter Cathedral EX1 1HS | Tickets from £20.71

Fri 13th

OUTDOOR CINEMA | 🎥 Enjoy a spooky night on Friday 13th watching the classic Halloween movie Hocus Pocus | Exeter Racecourse, Kennford, Exeter EX6 7XS | Tickets £4.76

Sat 14th

TALK | 🎙️ Journalist and environmentalist George Monbiot discusses his life and shares his favourite music, performed live by local musicians | Totnes Civic Hall, Market Square, Totnes TQ9 5SF | Tickets £12

WELLNESS | 🧘‍♀️ Relax on scenic Dartmoor with guided meditation and art session | The Clay Factory, Redlake Trading Estate, Ivybridge PL21 0EZ | Tickets £25

SHOPPING | 🛍️ Pick up some trendy vintage clothes for only £20 a kilo! | Plymouth Guildhall, Plymouth PL1 2BJ | Tickets from £2.00

Sun 15th

HIKING CHALLENGE | 🥾 Warrior Women Walk | A 10km walk around the beautiful Burrator reservoir and surrounding area in aid of the charity Trevi | Dogs permitted on leads | Registration £20, U10s £10

Fri 20th to Sun 22nd

FOOD FESTIVAL | 🌯 Try the best food and drink that the Southwest has to offer at the Dartmouth Food Festival | Dartmouth TQ6 9BH | Free

Fri 20th to Sat 28th

THEATRE | 🎭 Join Alex, Marty, Melman and Gloria as they escape New York Central Park Zoo in Madagascar the Musical | The Lyric, Theatre Royal Plymouth PL1 2TR | Tickets from £18

Fri 27th

CRAFT | 🌸 Create a beautiful and spooktacular Halloween wreath to decorate your front door for trick or treaters with Emma’s Flowers | The Woolwell Centre, Plymouth PL6 7TR | Tickets £45

NOVEMBER

Wed 1st

TOUR | ☕️ Visit and learn all about a tea plantation situated in Devon, and have the opportunity to try their award winning teas! | Furzeleigh Farm, Ashburton TQ13 7JL | Tickets £18.50

Sat 4th

TRADITIONS | 🔥 Ottery St Mary Tar Barrels Night | Celebrate the pagan tradition by witnessing flaming barrels being carried down the streets | Ottery St Mary, near Exeter | Free

Sat 4th and Sun 5th

COMICS | 🕹️ Plymouth Comic Con and Gaming Festival | Meet a Dalek and experience virtual reality | Plymouth Active, Life Centre, Plymouth PL2 3DG | Adult tickets £11.44, U14s £7.54

Sun 5th

BONFIRE NIGHT | 🎆 Celebrate Guy Fawkes at Plymouth Hoe’s Bonfire Night 2023 | Fireworks, food and fairground | The Hoe, Plymouth PL1 2PA | Free

Wed 15th

CRAFT | 🎨 Learn all about mono printing and create your own unique print with a glass of Prosecco in hand | Ocean Studios, Royal William Yard, Plymouth PL1 3RP | Tickets £30

With love, cream and jam, in that order.

😎 Andy, Esme, Lara and the Go Devon! team

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