Bideford Soapbox Derby, 6 July

The annual battle of the Bideford soapbox racing cars provides plenty of amusement as engineering masterpieces fail, drivers crash on corners and bits fall off.

The charity event is free and includes street food, bar, stalls from Devon traders and children’s rides. Last year there were 42 entries. More details

Exmouth Festival 11-13 July

In its 28th year, the festival is one of the biggest and most varied arts gatherings in the South West, growing its environmental credentials each year, and entirely free.

Expect a roster of music, theatre, craft and circus, community choirs, drama and dance groups, Ceilidh, sea shanties, Morris dancing, food, drink and art workshops. More details…

Sidmouth Folk Festival, 1-8 August

With more than 100 events per day, it’s a breathless week of fun folk celebrations all over the town.

Watch free and ticketed performances big and small, plus Morris Dancing, parades, music, crafts, circus skills, theatre and games. More details…

British Fireworks Championships, 14-15 August

Free viewing of the best firework displays in the UK over 2 nights as the top 6 pyrotechnic companies go head to head in the amphitheatre of Plymouth Sound.

The Hoe will be packed as usual, with an entertainment program with live bands, street performers and a fairground adding to the festivities.

More details…

Women’s Rugby World Cup, Exeter, 23 August to 6 September

As women’s rugby booms, Exeter’s Sandy Park has bagged 7 fixtures for the Women’s Rugby World Cup next autumn, including 2 quarter finals.

You can watch France v Italy, New Zealand v Japan, France v Brazil, Canada v Scotland, Wales v Fiji, plus 2 quarter finals. The next tranche of tickets is released on 25th February. More details…

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Devon Curiosities #42: The Devon Split

Of course a proper Devon cream tea has to have scones (with cream on first) but did you know about the lighter, sweeter alternative?

Devon Splits, also known as Chudleighs after the town where there is a tradition of making them, are more yeasty and bread like.

Rather than cut horizontally they are half-sliced from the top, filled with cream and traditionally strawberry jam and dusted with icing sugar.

Some add sliced strawberries.

HISTORY: There’s no dispute about Tavistock Abbey in the 11th century being the first recorded instance of bread being eaten with cream and jam, but no one seems to know when the Devon Split emerged.

Obviously, they’ll never challenge the mighty scone, but they’re worth a try now and again.

WHAT ELSE IS ON?

🌊 North Devon 

JANUARY

Fri 24th

MUSIC | 🪘 Drumming Experience with Djembe Devon | The Corn Store, Barnstaple | Adult tickets £15, children £5

FEBRUARY

Sat 1st

SNOWDROPS | ❄️ Celebration of Snowdrops, RHS Rosemoor | Every day until Wed 12th. Entry: £15.85. £1 for benefit claimants

Fri 7th

SNOWDROPS | ❄️ National collection of 400 varieties | 2pm to 5pm Higher Cherubeer, near Winkleigh | Also on Fri 14th and Sun 23rd. £6

Fri 14th

WORKSHOP | 🐦 Willow Bird Feeder Workshop | Quince Honey Farm, South Molton | Tickets £42

Fri 21st

COMEDY | 😆 Comedy Club | Cedars Inn, Barnstaple | Tickets £16.50

Sat 22nd

ART WORKSHOP | ✏️ Drawing from the Subconscious | Burton at Bideford Art Gallery and Museum, Bideford | Tickets £92.80

More North Devon events

🐬 South Devon

JANUARY

Sun 26th

BALLET | 🩰 Swan Lake | Princess Theatre, Torquay | Tickets from £25

FEBRUARY

Sat 1st

LIVE MUSIC | 🪈 Saturday Sessions at The Square with the City of Plymouth Pipe Band | Old Town Square, Plymouth | Free

Thu 6th

DOCUMENTARY FILM | 🎥 where is heaven? | A film about life off-grid in Devon and much more | Outside, Bantham | Tickets £15

Sat 8th

FERMENTING WORKSHOP | 🥬 3 hour lesson in preserving food including vegan lunch | St Thomas Community Hub, Exeter. £100.

Sun 16th

GAMING FESTIVAL | 📕 Torbay Comic Con and Gaming Festival | Riviera International Centre, Torbay | Adult tickets £12.19, U14s £8.50

POP MUSIC | 🎙️Jason Donovan, Doin’ Fine 25 | Princess Theatre, Torquay | Tickets from £33.75

More South Devon events

🏆️ Get lucky! Win Devon leisure prizes

FEATURED: 🥳 Fluffy scones, rich clotted cream and fruity jam in a luxurious Devon cream tea hamper for 4 (31st Jan)

NEW!  🏰 A 1-night luxury stay at Bovey Castle & Spa (Survey. 30th Jan)

🍺 A healthy bundle of zero and low-alcohol beer from a leading Devon brewer (31st Jan)

🥓 Bed and breakfast for 2 at the Future Inn, Plymouth before the end of February. (31st Jan)

 ☕️ An afternoon tea and treat for 2 at an Exeter spa, worth £190. (EX and TQ postcodes only. 31st Jan)

👨‍👨‍👧‍👦 A hot tub luxury caravan break for a family of 4 near Totnes (31st Jan)

💫 A luxury 2-night spa break at a South Devon hotel including Prosecco on arrival, 2x 1-hour spa treatments, dinner both nights, and a cream tea (31st Jan)

🩰 An overnight stay for 2 with dinner and breakfast and tickets to Cinderella at Theatre Royal Plymouth (4th Feb)

🩰 A second chance to win the prize above! (5th Feb)

2 tickets for Cinderella as above but no overnight stay (no closing date given)

♨️ A 7-night stay at a Cofton Holidays lodge with hot tub in South Devon. (7th Feb)

NEW!  💤 Bedtime pampering treats and a wool duvet, worth more than £300 (16th Feb)

🍾 A 1-night stay with dinner for two, plus Prosecco on arrival, at one of the oldest pubs in South Hams (28th Feb)

⛵️ 3 nights away for 2 people in Sidmouth and Salcombe with breakfasts and 1 dinner plus £1,000 spending money (28th Feb)

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 A family ticket to drive diggers and dump trucks at Diggerland (23rd Mar)

🥧 £150 of your choice of Devon-made pies, pasties and sausage rolls delivered to your door. (30th Mar)

NEW!  😜 A family ticket to Go Wild Festival in Exeter in August 2025 (30th June)

NEW!  🏇 A day out at Exeter Racecourse for 2, worth £240 including a 3-course lunch. (no closing date given)

🏖️ A 6-person, 3-night weekend break at a Woolacombe Bay holiday park (no closing date given)

🌊 A luxurious waterfront weekend mini-break for 2 in Plymouth, including dinner and free cinema tickets (no closing date given)

New member? Catch up here

🌷 The Valley of a Million Bulbs

🏴‍☠️ For those who like to book early for 2025

🍎 Bless the fruit trees

🎭️ Must see Devon shows 2025 (3)

That’s all for this week.

Except, you might like this story about a weird Devon egg.

Thanks for being a member.

With Devon love,

Andy, Esme, Lara and the Go Devon! team