Do parallel universes exist?

Cool Things To Do 15.01.26

January 15, 2026

Every week I marvel at the rich choice of things to do in Devon come rain or shine.

Like watching a movie classic in an immersive dome, chatting over coffee to Devon authors, or sitting in a warm Exeter theatre wondering about parallel universes.

Do they exist? I don’t know but it’s fun to speculate!

As well as my top picks below, you can look ahead for 2026 events near you on the dedicated North Devon and South Devon listings pages.

Yours in Devon,

Founder and editor

P.S. You gave a warm welcome to the Days Out On Your Doorstep discount pack from Visit South Devon. Thanks for your support.

As regular reader Ivan pointed out, it’s a good idea for local resident and businesses to support each other during the quieter months (in fact, why not all year round?). If you missed the link, it’s here

Ed Buckingham, author of 7 Summits

Plymouth’s book festival returns

Back after nearly 10 years, the Plymouth Literary Festival offers 2 days of celebrating writers, writing and publishing.

Hear adventurer Ed Buckingham’s stories of endurance climbing the highest mountains on 7 continents, and, if you’re a budding author, learn how to self-publish at Elizabeth Ducie’s workshop.

There’s a focus on fiction with a talk from Sunday Times best-selling author Jane Corry, and plenty for crime fans with advice from leading authors.

Meanwhile, Exeter’s History Book Festival features local historians talking about Romans, witches and WW2 diarists.

Other worlds, just like ours?

Do parallel universes exist?

You might not find out the answer but there will be plenty of discussion…

Multiple universes are all the rage from the Marvel cinematic universe to Stranger Things. They are more than just fiction.

Many scientists are convinced our universe is just one of a huge number of hidden worlds.

Listen to the controversy at The Science of the Multiverse talk by science communicator Dr Michael Brooks, followed by a question and answer session.

7pm to 9:30pm, Wednesday 11th February, Exeter Phoenix. Tickets: From £14.75

A feast of dance, drama and dazzling colour

The Red Shoes (1948) restored and immersive

Watch a one-off showing of the remastered version of the classic The Red Shoes movie at the Market Hall, Devonport.

Powell and Pressburger’s masterpiece is a love triangle and ballet spectacle that asks the question: choose love, or the stage? Watch a preview (video).

A guaranteed sensory spectacle, the film will be shown on a flat screen in the hall’s immersive dome, with sound from 5,000 speakers.

Perfect for a pre-Valentine’s date. 7pm, Friday 13th February. Tickets: from £7.95

Gold buying event in Exeter this weekend

With gold currently at £3,367 per ounce and up 60% in a year, sellers may be tempted to attend this gold, silver and antiques buying event.

BBC antiques expert Mark Ashley will be among the professionals valuing pieces and organisers Knights Bullion will be buying.

They are interested in antiques and collectables, intact or broken gold and silver jewellery, coins, sovereigns and bullion, watches, silverware and gold scrap.

10am to 5pm, Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th January, Hotel du Vin, Exeter. Make an appointment.

Barnstaple bygone brothel tour

North Devon historian Sue Pengelly has a warning about her walking tour.

She shares true stories about Barnstaple’s brothels in all their “grubby and gritty glory”

Sue says: “"I was tired of reading about the wealthy. I wanted to know how the poor lived and survived, the crimes, the prostitutes ... you know, the really interesting people!”

The 1.5 hour tours start and end at ThePlough@StAnne's and get good reviews.

“A fabulous tour. Really informative with humour.”

“An excellent and interesting tour, with some lovely photos at the end to peruse with tea and cake.”

7.30pm Thursday 12th February. Other dates in April, June and September. More details and tickets: £14.50

DC#90: Plymouth Gin distillery

Take a tour of the oldest working gin distillery in England.

There’s a choice of 3 at Plymouth Gin, and if you’re into history as well as alcohol, you’re in for a treat.

The Barbican building dates back to the early 1400s and was a monastery, debtors prison and church before becoming a drinks factory in 1793.

There’s even a connection with the Pilgrim Fathers, who are said to have stayed on the site before leaving for America from the nearby Mayflower Steps.

Today a classic tour is £15, a Connoisseur’s Tour with dedicated tasting £35 or a Master Distiller’s version for £55 where you get to distil your own gin.

Needless to say, there’s a bar for sampling the original, Navy Strength and Sloe varieties that have made Plymouth Gin so well known.

Location: 60 Southside St, Plymouth.

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WHAT ELSE IS ON?

🌊 North Devon 

JANUARY

Sat 17th

CRAFTS | 👜 Bags of Fun! Wet Felting Workshop | ThePlough@StAnne’s, Barnstaple | £35

Sun 18th

BURLESQUE | 🎪 Cabaret Extreme | Queen’s Theatre, Barnstaple | £24.50

Wed 21st

WILDLIFE VOLUNTEERING | 🌳 Bramble Bash | Halsdon, Great Torrington

CIDER MAKING | 🔥 Fire Cider Making | ThePlough@StAnne’s, Barnstaple | £12

Thu 22nd

CRAFT | 🐝 Candle Making Workshop | Quince Honey Farm, South Molton | £40

Fri 23rd

TALK | 🗣️ Janet Street-Porter Is Off the Leash | The Plough Arts Centre, Torrington | £30

See more North Devon events, including an evening with rugby referee Nigel Owens, painting with earth pigments, and the musical Grease. Click here 

🐬 South Devon

JANUARY

Until Sat 7th Feb

THEATRE | 🎭 Matilda | Theatre Royal, Plymouth | £42+

Sat 17th

WASSAIL | 🍞 Lustleigh Wassail | The Cleave Inn, Lustleigh

WASSAIL | 🌳 Whimple Wassail | Whimple Heritage Centre, Whimple

Sun 18th

TREE WORSHIP | 🌳 Wassail at Buckland Abbey | Buckland Abbey, Yelverton | Usual admission fees apply

Mon 19th

BURLESQUE | 🎪 Cabaret Extreme | Plymouth Pavilions, Plymouth | £24.80

Tue 20th

FOOTBALL | ⚽️ An Evening with Arsenal Legends | Exeter Corn Exchange, Exeter | £37

For more South Devon events, including the Beryl Cook exhibition at The Box, a fermentation workshop and Mincinglake wassail, click here

Submit an event here. It’s free!

🏆️ Get lucky! Win Devon leisure prizes

Cary Arms & Spa

FEATURED: 🌊 An overnight stay for 2 at the Cary Arms & Spa, Torquay, with breakfast and 2 hours spa entry, worth £350 (EX/TQ postcodes only) (30th Jan)

♒️ A floatation therapy bundle of 3 floats worth £145 in Totnes (24th Jan)

NEW!  🧀 A hamper of local cheeses, charcuterie and quince jelly delivered to your door (31st Jan)

NEW!  🌳 A 2-night West Devon woodland cabin stay for 2, with 1-night dining, sauna and massage, worth £500. (31st Jan)

♨️ A luxury hot tub caravan break for 4 at Whitehill Country Park near Totnes (31st Jan)

NEW!  A 5-star holiday park break in South Devon with Cofton Holidays worth £662 (12th Feb)

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NEXT ISSUE  Arts and crafts in February and March

Andy, Esme and Lara

Cream first. The one and only way to eat scones, whatever they say in Cornwall

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