🌊 Hello Devon Fans,

On a Devon coastal retreat, sea swimming, a windswept section of the SW coast path and a moonrise that looked like a sunrise. Winter magic.

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A visual celebration of crown and coronation

It was launched in the Tower of London, and now Exeter Cathedral is the first regional venue to host this spectacular sound and light show.

With colourful and surprising curated artworks and music, Crown and Coronation highlights the history and significance of coronations.

Visitors are encouraged to explore the artwork at their own pace as they walk through cathedral spaces.

Event organiser Luxmuralis previously produced the light shows Space, Life and the Renaissance at Exeter.

Tuesday 9th to Saturday 13th January.

​Tickets. £8 adults, £4 child (Ages 4-16), £20 family of 4.

What was it like to be a blacksmith in the Saxon era?

Are those skills transferable to the modern age?

Find out when you spend a day at an Anglo Saxon forge.

The Introduction to Blacksmithing course at Wildwood Devon takes you back to the origins of the ancient craft of blacksmithing.

You’ll learn basic knowledge and gain hands-on experience of metal-bashing tools and techniques.

Escot Park, Ottery St Mary, Devon, EX11 1LU. Saturday 13th January, 10am to 4pm.

Tickets are limited to 4 places, £150 per person.

Get up close to a seven metre replica of the moon

Experience the “Museum of the Moon" at the Barnstaple Pannier Market from 16 December until 6 January.

The replica uses high resolution NASA imagery of the lunar surface. At a scale of 1:500,000, each centimetre represents about 5km of the moon’s surface.

The installation is a mix of actual lunar imagery, moonlight and surround sound created by artist Luke Jerram and composer Dan Jones.

Free admission, but booking required.

Dawn French and Dame D’Arcy Bussell in conversation

Two national treasures get together to share stories and reflect on their careers in a special fund-raising night at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.

Join Dawn French and Dame Darcey Bussell in conversation with the theatre’s chief executive, James Mackenzie-Blackman, for one night only in The Lyric.

The conversation is likely to lurch from the Royal Ballet, Strictly, Comic Relief, The Vicar of Dibley and their connections with Plymouth.

All proceeds will go to furthering the work of the theatre.

After the event Dawn will host a book-signing for her new book.

Monday 11th March 2024. Tickets from £27.

“Paint and sip” life drawing for ladies only

Learn to paint a nude in 2 hours (yes, it’s possible). If it all goes wrong just have another Prosecco.

No artistic skills are required and all equipment, including the fizzy stuff, is provided at Bubbly & Brush’s step by step tutorial in Plymouth.

A fun chance to make friends and meet new ladies through a colourful art workshop. Ladies only and you must be 18+.

At the end of the evening you’ll hopefully have a canvas to take home and frame for your wall (depending on the outcome).

Led by artist Mollie, the organisers stress this is not a life drawing class, it's full guided tuition.

Saturday 20th January 2024. 3pm to 5pm. Tickets £41.88.

Woolwell Centre, Darklake Lane PL6 7TR

Revealing the murderous and macabre side of Barnstaple

Listen to fascinating, harrowing and moving true stories of Victorian murders, strange death customs and rituals on a guided tour through the streets.

The Walking Haunted History Tour of old Barnstaple with expert Susan Pengelly brings historical happenings to life, whatever the weather.

The 90 minute tour starts and finishes at St Anne's Arts & Community Centre, where there are refreshments and artefacts to view.

Thursday 14th December at 7.30pm, and several dates next year.

Paternoster Row, Barnstaple EX31 1SX

Tickets. £14.50

Listings

🌊 North Devon

DECEMBER

Tomorrow

MUSIC | 🎤 Watch Mad Dog Mcrea live in Barnstaple and enjoy a blend of pop, folk and jazz music | JCT27, Barnstaple EX31 1SB | Tickets £21

Saturday

CHRISTMAS | 🎄 Get your hands on some festive treats at the Bideford Christmas Market | Bideford Pannier Market, Bideford EX39 2DR | Free

HIGH TEA | 🫖 Enjoy a Christmas afternoon tea to get you in the festive spirit, whilst supporting North Devon Hospice | Terrace Cafe, North Devon Hospice Deer Park, Barnstaple EX32 0HU | Tickets £15

CRAFT | 🎨 Make your own Macramé Christmas wreath to adorn your front door | The Burton at Bideford, Bideford EX39 2QQ | Tickets £44.04

Saturday to Sat 23rd

CHRISTMAS FUN | 🎡 Visit the Magic of Christmas at the Milky Way Adventure Park | Bideford EX39 5RY | Tickets from £4.50 (not including regular ticket entry)

Wed 13th to Sun 31st

THEATRE | 🎭 Immerse yourself in the magical and mystical world of Sleeping Beauty at this year’s panto | Queen’s Theatre, Barnstaple EX31 1SY | Tickets from £15

Sat 16th

WALK | 🎄 Wander through lovely Barnstaple countryside and finish the adventure by listening to carols in the town square | Fair View Car Park, Barnstaple EX31 1JR | Free (car parking £2.50)

Sun 17th

ENTERTAINMENT | 🎙️ What’s your go to karaoke song? Now’s your chance to perform at the Cedars Inn Karaoke and Curry Night | Barnstaple EX31 2HE | Tickets £15

Fri 22nd

MUSIC | 🎧 Show off your best dance moves at the Howl at the Moon silent disco | Barnstaple Pannier Market, Barnstaple EX31 1SY | Tickets £16.50

Tue 26th

FESTIVITIES | 🍗 Enjoy mulled wine, music and food at Clovelly’s annual Boxing Day BBQ | The Quay, Clovelly EX39 5TF. Free entry to the village

Sun 31st

NEW YEAR | 🥂 Travel back to the 1920s with a Gatsby Gala Dinner | The Barnstaple Hotel, Barnstaple EX31 1LE | Tickets £55

2024

FEBRUARY

Mon 19th to Sat 24th

THEATRE | 🎭 Celebrate the 70th anniversary of the iconic production, The Mousetrap, by Agatha Christie | Queen’s Theatre, Barnstaple EX31 1SY | Tickets from £19.50

🐬 South Devon

DECEMBER

Today to Sun 17th

SHOPPING | 🎄 Christmas shopping at Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market | Enjoy entertainment, great food and get festive! | Cathedral Green, Exeter EX1 1HS | Free

Tomorrow

MUSIC | 🎶 An evening with Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra | Plymouth Pavilions PL1 3LF | Tickets from £37.34

Saturday

MUSIC | 🎶 Join the Mediaeval Baebes in their torch lit parade to Exeter Cathedral, where you can watch them perform Christmas carols and folk songs | EX1 1HS | Adult tickets £27.50. Children £12.50

CHOIR | 🎶 Handel’s Messiah sung by University of Exeter Chapel Choir | Mary Harris Memorial Chapel of the Holy Trinity, Exeter EX4 4SB | Tickets £15, students £8

Thu 14th

GOLF | ⛳️  Devon and Cornwall Turkey Trot | Enjoy a round of golf and Christmas meal to finish off the day | East Devon Golf Club, Budleigh EX9 6DG | Members £30, non-members £40

Fri 15th Dec to Sat 13th Jan

PANTO | 🎭 Goldilocks and the Three Bears, starring Olympian Dame Kelly Holmes | Theatre Royal, Plymouth PL1 2TR | Tickets from £18

Sat 16th

MURDER MYSTERY | 🔎 Can you uncover the murderer? Spend an evening solving a crime, along with drinks and a three course meal | The Box, Plymouth PL4 8AX | Tickets £55

Sun 17th

COMEDY | 🎙️ Join The Comedy Show Exeter and see the best in stand up from around the world | Barnfield Theatre, Barnfield Rd, EX1 1SN | Tickets £22.50

Fri 22nd

COMEDY | 🎙️ Joke around with Jimmy Carr just before Christmas | Plymouth Pavilions PL1 3LF | Tickets £37.90

2024

JANUARY

Sat 6th

TOUR | ☕️ Explore Devon and Cornwall’s largest mosque and gain a greater insight into Islamic faith | Piety Centre Plymouth, 19 Greenbank Avenue, Plymouth PL4 8PS | Free

Tue 23rd to Wed 24th

COMEDY | 🎙️ An evening with Romesh Ranganathan as he warms up for his new tour | Northcott Theatre, Exeter EX4 4QB | Tickets from £30.50

FEBRUARY

Sun 25th

SHOWTIME | 🎤 Did you think Rob Brydon was just a game show host? | Enjoy an evening full of comedy, singing and impressions | Theatre Royal, Plymouth PL1 2TR | Tickets from £39

MARCH

Tue 19th to Sat 23rd

MUSICAL | 🎭 Follow the journey of twin brothers separated at birth in Blood Brothers | Princess Theatre, Torquay TQ2 5EZ | Tickets from £16.80

Wed 20th to Sat 23rd

BALLET | 🩰 Birmingham Royal Ballet’s classic fairytale Sleeping Beauty, with music from the acclaimed Royal Ballet Sinfonia | Theatre Royal Plymouth PL1 2TR | Tickets from £27

Sun 31st

ENTERTAINMENT | 👨‍🎤 Aled Jones sharing his stories, songs and memories from the music and entertainment industry | Palace Theatre, Paignton TQ3 3HF | Tickets from £30

🏆️ Win Devon Prizes

We find Devon prize competitions so you don’t have to. Entry is free unless stated. Closing dates are in.

NEW!  💷 A £50 voucher for Affinity outlet shopping village Bideford (no date given)

🛏️ A 2-night stay for 2 at a chic manor house hotel in North Devon with breakfast and 3-course dinner (10 Dec)

NEW!  🛏️ A 2-night stay in a luxury Torbay beach hut with breakfast, spa treatment, guided walk, 3-course meal and a £300 Gandys luggage gift card (21 Dec)

🍖 A 1-day “fire school” BBQ cooking course in Axminster worth £225 (31 Dec)

🍾 A luxury one-night stay and a three-course meal for two at The Collective at Woolsery near Bideford (31 Dec)

Terms and conditions apply. See individual websites.

Got a competition? Let us know.

That’s all for this week.

With love, cream and jam, in that order.

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

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