🤞 Greetings Devon people!

Are you feeling lucky? We’ve found loads of competitions for you to enter.

Closing dates for entries are in brackets.

🍷 Win a three-course Sunday lunch at a top Tavistock hotel (17 Sep)

🐎 Stay at this historic Dartmoor hotel free. (19 Sep)

🏡 Win this beautiful Devon house worth £2m. (30 Sep)

🛏 Get a free dinner, bed and breakfast in this top Torquay hotel. (30 Sep)

🍛 Win a tasty meal for 2 at this new organic restaurant. (30 Sep)

🖊Complete a survey for a chance to win a £500 holiday voucher (30 Sep)

🌊 Win a free stay at this new Plymouth hotel + stand-up paddleboarding (3 Oct)

🏖 Win a fabulous short break in Torquay (31 Oct)

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

^{N.B. Terms & Conditions apply. See websites.}

Good luck!

Got a competition? Let us know.

This is what a container ship looked like in 1588: take a peek inside

Visit a full size replica of a Spanish galleon in Plymouth until Sunday 17th September.

The 6-deck, 50 metre El Galeón is moored at the Barbican Landing Stage and open to visitors.

Ships like this were part of the defeated Spanish Armada, and were the container ships of their day, plying worldwide trade for 2 centuries.

Built in Spain in 2009, the replica travels the world as a floating museum.

Opening times are 10am until 8pm (last admission 7pm).

Adults £10, children 5-10 £5, U5 free, family £25. Tickets here, or pay on entry.

If you want more El Galeon experiences you can pay to sail on her as a crew member.

Enter an intriguing world of books on the Jurassic Coast

It’s 5 days of celebrating books and writing, with celebrity speakers, bestselling authors, panel events, workshops and family events.

The Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival is set beside the sea on the beautiful Jurassic Coast from Wednesday 20th to Sunday 24th September.

This event promises “to intrigue, inform and entertain” and will be marked by tributes to author Hilary Mantel who lived in Budleigh Salterton and died last year.

The programme features conversations with novelist Kate Mosse, former spin doctor Alistair Campbell, comedian David Baddiel, and political commentators Lord Daniel Finkelstein and Polly Toynbee.

For children there’s the Sir Charlie Stinky Socks show, Martin Brown and Horrible Histories, and workshops in comic art, music and storytelling.

Funny and peculiar. Yes, it stopped us in our tracks too!

Not sure what kind of sculpture you’d call this but it turned our heads.

Okehampton artist Andrew Sinclair created this dinosaur then decided to mount it with a large lady who is late for a wedding. That’s artistic surrealism for you.

His Sculpture School studio at North Tawton is open daily between 10am and 4pm until September 29th as part of Devon Open Studios 2023.

This is an annual event when 340 potters, painters, sculptors, jewellery makers, and other crafty folk around the county open their doors at more than 200 private homes, garden sheds, cafes and galleries.

Chat to the artists about their processes and inspiration. Work is on sale and it can be a perfect opportunity to buy unique pieces direct from the maker.

Remember them? If you’re over 45, you won’t have forgotten their songs

There’s been success, failure, break-up and reunion but nearly 40 years after they formed Deacon Blue are back again and playing their old favourites in Plymouth.

Top 40 hits Dignity, Chocolate Girl, Real Gone Kid and Fergus Sings The Blues defined the Scottish band in the 80s and 90s.

You can hear them at Plymouth Pavilions on Sunday 24th September at 8pm.

The band have always performed well live but not quite like this. They'll perform two sets, with no support.

The first half will be an intimate acoustic show, and then they'll go electric for a trip across their hits.

Tickets from £44.62

“Christmas is a comin’ and the goose is getting fat”

On the second Wednesday in October every year the centuries old tradition of Goosey Fair takes place in Tavistock.

A few things have changed since the tenants of Tavistock Abbey paid their rent in geese and gave name to the gathering.

There’s still a traditional cattle market and the pubs will be open but there won’t be flocks of geese running around, sailors brawling in the street, or charlatans selling cheap roast goose which is really rabbit dipped in goose fat.

The tradition started in 1105 continues on Wednesday 11th October although you might struggle to find a roast goose dinner.

Family fun is the theme with fairground rides, street food and drink and trade stalls throughout the town.

Read a fascinating history of the fair here.

Join a fishy celebration at Goodrington Seafest

We don’t know if this guy is Neptune, Poseidon or has just got tangled in a load of fishing gear.

He’s promoting Goodrington Seafest, a celebration of the sea and coastline at Paignton on Saturday 30th September.

There’s a lot going on including theatre, music, entertainers, escapology, mermaids, a wash-away art gallery, and treasure hunts.

Water sports taster sessions are available too (bookable)

Listings

🌊 North Devon

SEPTEMBER

Fri 15th

COMEDY | 🎙️ Stand up with professional comedians | Cedars Inn, Barnstaple EX31 2HE | Tickets £12.

Fri 15th to Sun 24th

LITERATURE | 📚 The Appledore Book Festival | Authors and speakers including Hugh Bonneville | North Devon Maritime Museum, Appledore EX39 1PT | Ticket prices vary.

Sat 16th

THEATRE | 🎭 Rave On | A musical journey through Rock and Roll | The Palace Theatre, Palace Avenue, Paignton TQ3 3HF | 7.30pm to 10pm | Tickets £23.77

Thu 21st

SCIENCE TALK | 🪲 Unnatural Selection. Invertebrates and evolution with Stephen Eddy and Katrina von Grouw | Quince Honey Farm, South Molton EX36 3RD | Tickets £5, student £4.

Sat 23rd to Sun 24th

STEAM FAIR | 🚂 The Lynton and Barnstable Railway Autumn Gala | Operational steam engine train and classic cars | Woody Bay Station, Parracombe EX31 4RA.

Sun 24th

CRAFT | 🎨 Woodblock print design with North Devon printmaker Josie Grant | Studio KIND, Unit 3 Velator Way, Braunton EX33 2FB | Tickets £60.

Mon 25th

ENTERTAINMENT | 💃 Magic Dance Tour | An evening with Strictly Come Dancing stars Ian Waite and Vincent Simone | Queens Theatre, Barnstaple EX31 1SY | Tickets from £30.

Fri 29th

MUSIC | 🎙️ The Ultimate Queen Tribute Band celebrates the 50th anniversary of Queen’s debut album | Queen’s Theatre, Barnstaple EX31 1SY | Tickets from £23.50.

Fri 29th to Sat 30th

FESTIVAL | ⛺️ Woodpecker Weekender | An eco-friendly festival with live music and workshops on sustainable living | The Woodpecker Bar and Kitchen, Ilfracombe EX34 8NU | Day tickets £33.22, weekend tickets £60.29.

OCTOBER

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.

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

SCIENCE | 🌳 Apple Day | Sciencedipity hosts interactive experiments to learn about Issac Newton’s theory of gravity | Suitable for children age 4-7 | Barnstable Library, Tuly Street, Barnstaple EX31 1EL | £5 per ticket.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES | 🍄 Autumn Foraging Course | Learn about edible plants and create a meal with finds from your trip | Broomhill Estate, Muddiford Road, Barnstaple EX31 4EX | Adult tickets £60, children (12-16) £30.

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.

Sun 22nd

CRAFT FAIR | 🎨 Clovelly Apple Day | Apple ciders, see an apple press in action and join in apple-themed craft and activities | Visitor Centre, Clovelly, Bideford EX39 5TA.

🐬 South Devon

SEPTEMBER

Sat 16th

MUSIC | 🎙️ Alfie Boe performs the greatest hits from musical theatre | Plymouth Pavillions, Plymouth PL1 3LF | Tickets from £40.70.

Sat 16th to Sun 17th

FISH FESTIVAL | 🐟 Seafest Plymouth | Fresh fish stalls, cookery theatre and childrens activities | The Barbican and Sutton Harbour, Plymouth PL1 2LR | Free.

Sun 17th

SHOPPING | 🛍️ Worth the Weight Vintage Kilo sale | Pick a kilogram of vintage clothes for £20 | Exeter Corn Exchange, Market Street, Exeter EX1 1BW | Early bird tickets £3, general admission £2.

Mon 18th

GEOLOGY | ⛏ Day Trip with Stuart Line Cruises. 6.5 hour seaborne tour of South Devon’s coastal geology | Exmouth | 10.30am to 5pm. £25 per person.

Tue 19th

TRIBUTE BAND | 🎤 Wall of Floyd celebrates the 50th anniversary of Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon album | Paignton Palace Theatre, Palace Avenue TQ3 3HF | Tickets from £24.

Fri 22nd

COMEDY | 🎙️ Russell Brand’s stand up show: Bipolarisation | Plymouth Pavilions, Plymouth PL1 3LF | Tickets from £40.70.

Sat 23rd to Sat 30th

HIKING | 🥾 English Riviera Walking Festival | Take part in a variety of guided hikes along the scenic Southwest coastal path | Details and prices here.

Sun 24th

RIVER RUN | 🐟 Salmon Run 50 mile ultra marathon, relay and 5K run along the River Exe | Ultra £30, Relay (4-8 people) £15, 5K £5. Booking. 

Tue 26th

ENTERTAINMENT | 🕺 An Evening with Strictly Come Dancing judge Anton Du Beke | Watch iconic dance routines and hear backstage stories | Princess Theatre, Torbay Road, Torquay TQ2 5EZ | Tickets from £33.24.

Wed 27th to Sat 30th

THEATRE | 🎭 Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night by candlelight | Exeter Cathedral, Exeter EX1 1HS | Tickets from £10.

Sat 30th

MURDER MYSTERY | ❓Immerse yourself in a 1920s themed murder mystery, with three course meal and drinks | Can you work out who the murderer is? | The Old Pottery, Pottery Road, Newton Abbot TQ13 9DS | Tickets - £50 per person.

OCTOBER

Sun 1st

MUSIC | 🎷 Sunday roast with a twist! | A 3-course meal with live jazz music | The Bedford Hotel, Tavistock PL19 8BB | Adults £34, children £28 | Call or book a table online.

Sat 7th

BARN DANCE | 🕺 The Legendary Hennock Barn Dance | A night of dancing, ceilidh music and enjoyment for all the family | Beechleigh Farm, Furzeleigh Lane, Bovey Tracey TQ13 9LU | Adult tickets £10, Youth (12-17) £4, U11s Free.

Sat 7th to Sun 8th

FOOD FESTIVAL | 🌯 Powderham Food Festival presents Devon’s finest food and drink sellers | Entertainment, chilli competitions and live workshops | Powderham Estate, Exeter EX6 8JQ | Free, car park £8.

Sat 7th to Sun 15th

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

Sun 8th

CYCLE CHALLENGE | 🚴 Tour of the Moor around Dartmoor for all abilities in aid of St Luke’s Hospice | Harrowbeer Airfield, Yelverton PL20 6BU | Register.

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 27th

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

Hey, can we ask a favour?

We’ll keep finding the exciting, surprising, interesting and cool things to do.

You tell everyone who loves Devon about us.

Deal?

With love, cream and jam (in that order).

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

P.S. If you don't want our emails anymore, just unsubscribe below at any time. Seriously, no hard feelings.