Food festivals and secret gardens — Devon is serving up a bumper fortnight of exciting days out in late May and early June.

North Devon street food arrives at Tapeley Park, Buckfast Abbey hosts artisan producers and Plymouth goes big with 70+ traders at Flavour Fest.

Meanwhile, private gardens open at Mary Tavy, Diptford, Mowhay and Chulmleigh, offering everything from moorland vistas and homemade refreshments to bonsai, rose gardens, foxgloves and ferns.

Time to get out and enjoy!

Yours in Devon,

P.S. It’s rude to ask someone’s age, so I won’t. But could you help me out by selecting your “age bracket” in the one-click poll below? It would help to ensure we’re providing the most interesting and relevant content.

The pick of North Devon’s street food providers attend FEAST Food & Drink Festival at Tapeley Park Gardens on Monday 25th May, 10am to 3pm. It’s one of the most relaxed days out set in the grounds of a country estate.

With the backdrop of a working monastery, the Buckfast Abbey Food Festival on Friday 29th and Saturday 30th May is a calm showcase of local artisan producers and cookery demos. Free entry, parking £10 (bookable).

Meanwhile Flavour Fest Plymouth, running over the same weekend, including Sunday 31st, is a positive food frenzy of 70+ traders ranging from Amore pizzas and waffles to Willy’s Ice Cream.

This year try the tasting plates for just £5 and watch some of 20 chefs dispensing free food knowledge. It all takes place at The Piazza, Plymouth City Centre. Free entry.

If you prefer something more sedate try the volunteer-run Kingsbridge Food & Music Festival, an alcohol-free zone celebrating the town.

Enjoy food from the around the county, like Salcombe Dairy ice cream or Bear Cheesecake, or around the globe (German sausage and souvlaki) all with soft or fruity drinks. Seth Lakeman headlines the Saturday night music session in the town square.

In South Molton, the Festival of Food & Drink welcomes in 50 artisan producers of bread, cakes and chocloate on Sun 31st May in the town’s pannier market.

For more foodie days out, download our free guide to all the best Devon food events in 2026.

Wander moorland lanes and enjoy homemade refreshments as Mary Tavy Village Gardens near Tavistock open their gates on Sunday 31st May.

Over near Totnes, Diptford Village Gardens there’s another chance to see private gardening creativity, including the national collection of brugmansia on Sunday 7th June.

Both are opening for St Luke’s Hospice, Plymouth. Full programme here

Mowhay near Great Torrington is a 0.75 acre garden developed over 4 years with white and rose gardens, fish pond and bonsai. Open Saturday 23rd to Monday 25th May, then 13th to 14th June.

Open for Saturday 23rd is Pilton Lawn near Barnstaple (also Saturday 25th July).

In a 1-acre, wildlife friendly garden, The Old Rectory, Chulmleigh (open Saturday 6th and Sun 7th June) squeezes in traditional herbaceous borders, vegetable beds, a foxglove and fern area and small jungle.

Last week’s result

Are you considering a Devon staycation this year?

Diane chose “Maybe if the right place tempted me” and added: “Cost is the main issue and with taxes now being introduced it all adds up. Parking is also a big expense, it cost £6 to even go to the beach for a few hours!”

Sue selected “No plans this year” and said: “We can travel anywhere in Devon from where we live, so have lots of days out.”

Question: What do you get when you mix copper, arsenic, money, miners and pubs?

Answer: Trouble.

Tavistock Guildhall is a purpose built police station and magistrates court designed to deal with the messy consequences of industrialisation — and deal out harsh penalties for wrong-doing.

In 1865, John Williams and William Turner appeared before magistrates after stealing 5 shillings, bread and bacon from a man at the Herring’s Arms. They were sentenced to a month’s hard labour.

(Times have changed. Today, organised criminals fill their bags with top quality steaks from M & S Derriford and walk out without a challenge. Just saying).

Visitors to the centre can walk through the restored Victorian courtroom, and underneath see the cells, still bleak and miserable despite a 21st century makeover.

Your trip is not just about the mechanics of 19th century law and order — it’s a glimpse into the Victorian underbelly of petty thieves, drunkards and the unlucky souls on their way from courtroom to prison. Admission is free.

Opening hours 10am to 4pm Tuesday to Saturday.

Website: Tavistock Guildhall Heritage Centre

If you’re not already following Go Devon! Newsletter on Facebook and want to stay in touch, visit the page for more events, offers and free to enter competitions.

FEATURED: 🍺 A box of Devon Chunk pasties and a shandy selection (26th May)

A 2-night midweek stay in a floating glamping pod on a private spring-fed lake near Okehampton (23rd May)

NEW! 🐆 A family visit to Exmoor Zoo (2 adults and 2 children). (28th May)

🎸 2 weekend tickets for the Plymouth Discovery Festival in Central Park 12th-14th June with The Libertines and OMD (28th May)

🍷 A 4-course chef's table experience for 2 with matching drinks at The View Restaurant, Exeter (30th May)

NEW! 🏨 A 1-night B & B break for 2 people at Future Inn, Plymouth (or Bristol or Cardiff) before the end of June 2026 (31st May)

💤 A cosy 2-night cottage stay for 2 and use of Compton Pool resort facilities in South Devon (31st May)

NEW! 🌊 A Plymouth getaway including a 2-night stay for 2 at Admirals House by Maison Pierre, breakfast each morning and a 2-course dinner for 2 at Bistrot Pierre, a gin distillery tour and boat trips pass (1st June)

🖼 5 tickets for all 3 days of the Bovey Tracey Craft Festival 12th-14th June (2nd June)

🐶 A week-long stay for up to 8 people in a dog-friendly cottage in Appledore (14th Jul)

Did you win something? Let me know

🎼 Forgotten English Music

⚓ Royal Dockyard Open Day

🎨 Exmouth Art Weekend

🎉 Mayday Morris Mayhem

That’s all for this week. Thanks for being a member.

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Andy, Esme and Lara