Welcome Devon Lovers!

Festival life in Devon is exploding and as the sun comes out there’s something for everyone over the next few weeks and months.

Yes, even giant tortoises. How’s that for unusual?

If there’s something coming up you think should be included please let us know. (As long as the event is not just about to go bust!)

Go Devon! keeps you up to date with the best, most fun, interesting, unusual, must-see events, activities and shows in the county.

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In the meantime, get out and have fun! There’s loads to do! 🚀

Andy and the Go Devon! team

Fun-Filled Devon County Show 2023 with Giant Tortoises, Heavy Horses and Farming Competitions

🐎 🌷 Rare giant Aldabra tortoises, heavy horses and Gardeners’ World expert Joe Swift are among the varied attractions at the Devon County Show from Thursday 18th May to Saturday 20th May.

The top-billing arena act is the freestyle motorcycle stunt team The Bolddogs FMX and you can also see the qualifying rounds of the Fittest Farmer 2023 competition.

The Premier Dog Show returns, and the line up includes livestock and flower competitions, Devon food, vintage tractors and a marquee with craft and gardening ideas.

Westpoint Centre, Clyst St Mary, Exeter EX5 1D | Tickets | Adults £22. Child £7.50

Take A Trip By Boat To Visit A Secret Island

🏝 Ever wanted to visit a secret island? After years of restricted access, Drake’s Island in Plymouth Sound is open to visitors for guided tours.

The iconic island has served as an observatory, a prison, a defensive fort and an adventure centre and now an important wildlife habitat.

Take a ferry from Plymouth’s Barbican landing stage for the short trip to the island and the chance of seeing seals napping on the rocks.

Tours last about 2 hours during which you’ll learn about the island’s history, myths and legends as you walk the old paths, steps and tunnels.

Tickets | Adult £18. Child £7. Dog £3 | Separate ferry charge. Adults £7.50. Child £3.50

Get Ready For An Epic Weekend of Music In Dartmouth

🎶 🎸 Where else in Devon can you find nearly 80 music acts covering a huge range of genres in one place over one weekend?

Founded more than 25 years ago and now a phenomenon, the answer is The Dart Music Festival.

Around 25,000 people are expected to enjoy tunes in the town square, a fort, a church and an arts centre, to name a few of the venues on the 19th to 21st May.

It’s where Indie, Urban and Choral Folk meets Afro Beat and Digi Rock, and you’ll find Classical Piano sitting comfortably next to Jazz Funk.

The best bit? It’s all free. Build the anticipation by listening to the performers right now on Spotify or watch them on YouTube. And there’s an app to get all the band times and venues. Enjoy!

Exmouth Beach Rugby Festival: A Showpiece of Sand, Sun, Music And Rugby

🏉 Last year’s success means the Exmouth Beach Rugby Fest is back with an expanded programme featuring netball and rugby from Friday 26th to Monday 29th May.

The event features tag rugby for all levels, with Mens, Women and Mixed/Family sections.

Squads with a maximum of 10 are invited to enter (5-a-side with rolling substitutes).

The new Ladies Beach Netball tournament will run with 5-a-side games and squads of up to 7.

There’s a bar and live local bands every evening and a fancy dress element for the Saturday party, with awards on Sunday evening. Exmouth Beach EX8 1BQ

A similar event is planned for Weston-super-Mare from 11th to 13th August.

Watch Live Cookery Theatre At Flavourfest Food Festival In Plymouth

👨‍🍳 Nothing beats live theatre and watching skilled chefs at work on a public stage is no exception. That’s why the Cookery Theatre at Flavourfest is ever popular and this year welcomes back live shows from top local chefs.

More than 70 food and drink related traders are attending this year’s Plymouth City Centre festival from Friday 26th May to Sunday 28th May.

They’ll be offering the best regional produce in a gathering that includes a bar and live music.

Award-winning Devon chef Peter Gorton hosts a programme of local and international cuisine demonstrations including artisan cakes and bakes, British Asian, local sustainable and seasonal produce.

It’s Free. Plymouth City Centre PL1 1DH.

Quality Acts Lure Fans to Sidmouth Jazz and Blues Festival

🎷Curtis Stigers, Courteney Pine and Roland Gift, the soulful voice of the Fine Young Cannibals, top the billing at the 2023 Sidmouth International Jazz and Blues Festival.

They are among nearly 40 acts performing from Thursday 25th to Monday 29th May at more than a dozen venues hosting 4 solid days of music.

Around 10,000 people attended the first Sidmouth festival last year and organisers want to keep growing, promising quality over quantity when presenting the best in Jazz, Blues, Roots, Soul, Latin and Funk genres.

Friday’s headline performances are ticketed, followed by 3 days of free music. Adult tickets are £115, children £70. Blackmore Gardens, Sidmouth EX10 8AN

Correction

In the last issue we mistakenly said the Brixham Pirate Festival was taking place on 19th May. In fact it took place from 29th April. Our apologies.

Listings

North Devon

Saturday 6th May

CORONATION DAY | Free screening of the Coronation of His Majesty the King Charles III at Westminster Abbey, London.

👑 Okehampton | Charter Hall, Market Street, Okehampton EX20 1AA

Friday 12th May

LIVE MUSIC | 🎸 | The Allergies Live + Special Guests | Funk, soul, hip-hop & party vibes | 7pm to 12pm | Escape Down The Rabbit Hole, 1-2 Market Street, Barnstaple EX31 1BX | Tickets from £14.25

Sunday 14th May

WEDDING FAIR | 👰‍♀️ The Old Barn Wedding Showcase | Milky Way Adventure Park, Clovelly, Bideford EX39 5RY

Saturday 20th May

FAMILY MUSIC FESTIVAL | 🐷 Pigstock | The Big Sheep, Abbotsham, Bideford EX39 5AP. | Free parking | Tickets. Adults £37.94, children U18 £21.86.

WALKING CHALLENGE | 🚶‍♀️Women only Nightwalk in aid of North Devon Hospice | Barnstaple Rugby Club, Pottington Road, Barnstaple EX31 1JH | £20.

South Devon

Friday 5th May and Saturday 6th May.

OPEN AIR CINEMA |🍿 Elvis (5th), Top Gun Maverick (6th) | Torquay Recreation Ground, The King's Drive TQ2 6NX | Tickets £17.18

Saturday 6th May

CORONATION DAY | Free screenings of the Coronation of His Majesty the King Charles III at Westminster Abbey, London.

👑 Powderham Castle, Powderham Estate, Exeter EX6 8JQ | 10am to 5pm | Cost: Donation to charity | Tickets.

👑 Brixham Theatre, Brixham TQ5 8TA

👑 The Barbican, Plymouth PL1 2JZ

👑 Torre Abbey Meadows, Torquay TQ2 5HP

Sunday 7th May

MARKET | 🍓 Good Food & Craft Market | 10am to 4pm | Royal William Yard, Plymouth PL1 3RP

Friday 12th May

LIVE MUSIC | 🎶 Cardiff Arms Park Male Voice Choir | 7.30pm | Royal Lyceum Theatre, Abbey Road, Torquay TQ2 5NQ | Tickets £10

Saturday 13th May

BIG SCREEN MUSIC | 🇪🇺 Eurovision Song Contest live at Vue Cinemas | Exeter, Plymouth, Torbay | 7.30pm to 10.30pm | Tickets from £17.49

Sunday 14th May

GARDEN OPEN DAY | 🌷 Mothecombe Gardens in aid of St Lukes Hospice | 10am to 4pm | Mothecombe, near Plymouth PL8 1LB | £6

Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st May

FAMILY FESTIVAL | 🏴 Plymouth Pirate Festival, Barbican, Sutton Harbour and Royal William Yard | 10am to 4pm | Free.

Wednesday 28th June

OUTDOOR THEATRE | 🎭 Romeo & Juliet | The Chamberlain’s Men, all male cast | 7pm | The Private Garden, Dartington Hall, Totnes TQ9 6EL | Tickets Adult £20. Child £12.

Suggest an event for listing? Email us.

More amazing Devon-based activities for everyone next week.

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

Have fun!

🌊 Andy and the Go Devon! team

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