This week: rare English music in Totnes, beers and bands in Ilfracombe, and open-air medieval mayhem at Killerton.

Check out a great North Devon short-break offer, plus a Dartmoor mystery involving 15 dead ponies and some of the weirdest theories you’ve ever heard.

A Bank Holiday mix of music, beer, history, mystery and medieval nonsense.

Yours in Devon,

P.S. There was a huge response from members to the Devonport Open Days article last week so here’s that free ticket link again.

For the first time in its 19-year history, the English Music Festival is heading to South Devon — bringing 4 days of world-class performances.

The festival celebrates forgotten treasures of English classical music from orchestral concerts to chamber music, featuring Elgar, Delius, Holst and Vaughan Williams.

Hear new or rediscovered classical music in the atmospheric Great Hall, or catch a talk or smaller performance in the Ship Studio.

Between performances you can explore the riverside grounds, gardens, cafés and nearby Totnes — turning a concert into a full day out.

Friday 22nd to Monday 25th May, Dartington Hall, Totnes. Programme and tickets

Ilfracombe Beer & Music Festival is less “a nice pint by the sea” and more full-blown bank holiday seafront takeover.

Held on the Landmark Green from 12pm to 11pm daily, the festival boasts 30 bands and DJs and more than 100 beers and ciders across 3 days.

Each day has a shifting music genre — Friday is DJ-heavy, Saturday indie/alt bands, Sunday more rock and melodic sets.

On the drinks side, take your pick from one of the biggest selections in the South West including Otter and Salcombe Breweries, Exmoor Ales and Sandford Orchards.

Food is covered off with wood-fired slices from Horizon Pizza, Filipino BBQ and Mexican wraps from Loose Belt.

Friday 22nd to Sunday 24th May. Check out the bands, beer and food

[Partner Promotion] North Devon Resort, where I enjoyed a relaxing stay recently, is offering up to 35% off May and June bookings of 2 nights or more.

That means you can grab a hot tub apartment for £65.82 per person per night. If you prefer no hot tub accommodation, it’s only £37.80 per person.

The resort is ideal for the rugged North Devon coast path or for pottering around Ilfracombe licking ice creams and watching the boats.

For a couple staying 2 nights between Sunday and Thursday, check out these options:

The resort takes dogs, has a cafe, bar, restaurant, swimming pool and sauna, and is a short walk from the town centre. More details and booking

As the open air theatre season commences, The Three Inch Fools present an epic tale of Arthurian adventure and medieval mayhem at Killerton House near Exeter.

When Camelot is rocked to it’s core by a tragic incident involving a large table of an undisclosed shape, Arthur is thrust into the quest of a lifetime.

Will he bravely battle through blistering cold and scorching fire to save his beloved realm, or will he crumble as fate refuses to cooperate? Find out in King Arthur and the Holy Fail.

Bring your own cushions, camping-chairs and picnics for a performance weather regardless. Tickets: £20.67 (not available on the door)

7pm, Saturday 6th June.

It’s not about graves — it’s about inspiring and moving stories.

To mark War Graves Week vounteer guides are offering a free tour of Tavistock New Cemetery, which contains 26 burials from the two World Wars.

Hear the stories behind the lives of the local soldiers, sailors and airmen who gave their lives and are buried in the town.

The week is a promotion by the The Commonwealth War Graves Foundation, a charity promoting community involvement in war grave cemeteries.

11am to 12.30pm, Saturday 23rd May. Tickets

Last week’s result

How adventurous are you? (Naked charity walk event)

Susan selected I’ll stick to clothed comfort and wrote: “Designated areas to walk around naked I think is fine. Otherwise, keep your clothes on please.”

A bizarre discovery, unexplained to this day, was made in the secluded valley of Hollowcombe Bottom, near Postbridge in 1977.

Alan Hicks and his family discovered around 15 dead Dartmoor ponies scattered across the valley floor.

They were found in a "twisted, bloody mess" with broken necks and spines, yet there were no obvious signs of a predator attack.

The police and RSPCA were informed, but no official explanation was ever forthcoming.

The mystery led to several theories, including parasites, poisoning, malnutrition and even paranormal enthusiasts suggesting the ponies were caught in a vortex created by a low-flying UFO.

Perhaps more plausible causes are a lightning strike or sudden flash flood, which have been known to kill livestock. In the absence of any answers the riddle lives on.

Read more on Legendary Dartmoor

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

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

🌊 A 2-night stay at the art deco Burgh Island Hotel in South Devon with breakfast and dinner, worth £1,200 (15th May)

🏊‍♂ A Plymouth Lido season ticket worth £155 (18th May)

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

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

NEW! 🎸 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)

🛏 A 1-night stay for 2 with breakfast at Voco Zeal, Exeter. Only EX and TQ postocodes can enter (31st May)

🌳 A restorative 3-night escape at Wilderhus Glamping South Molton (31st May)

NEW! 🎨 5 tickets to the 3-day Bovey Tracey Craft Festival 12th-14th June (2nd Jun)

NEW! 🐶 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

⚓ Royal Dockyard Open Day

🎨 Exmouth Art Weekend

🎉 Mayday Morris Mayhem

🌳 Organic farm open day

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

NEXT ISSUE 40+ summer food events

Andy, Esme and Lara