I spent 2 cosy nights as a guest of North Devon Resort in Ilfracombe, in a newly-refurbished hot tub studio with a sea view.

It was a handy base for exploring the town without a car and I made a new acquaintance. Read my Devon Done Proper piece below: How I met Verity.

Yours in Devon,

Devon Done Proper #2. How I met Verity

Waking up to a sea view is always a good start. From a lofty Ilfracombe studio, you can see clean across the Bristol Channel to South Wales.

From here the South West Coast Path delivers rugged viewpoints, steep drops, and a fair chance of spotting seals whether you head towards Combe Martin or Woolacombe.

I kept it short: a circular walk via Hele and its 500-year-old working water mill and cafe, for a Devon “cut round” — lighter than a scone, still with cream and jam obviously — made from flour milled on site.

Then up onto the cliffs, stopping at harbour viewpoints until I came face to face with Verity — towering over the town. She’s part statue, part anatomy lesson and always sparks a discussion.

A walk back up the hill to North Devon Resort. Hot tub, or film on the giant screen? I managed both.

P.S. The resort is offering up to 25% off stays in April, including the studios where I stayed. Check out the deals here

Walk the story of a Devon hedge

Step into the fields at Hood Manor and follow a maze of Devon’s ancient hedges at their spring best — thick with flowers, insects and birdsong.

You’ll learn how these hedges were first built, why they matter, and how they’re still managed today, with demonstrations of traditional hedge-laying and stone-facing techniques.

Along the way, you’ll see hedges at different stages of life — from freshly laid to decades old — and learn how to read their age and purpose in the landscape.

The tour ends with a proper Devon cream tea, homemade and gluten-free. Cream first, of course.

2–4pm, Saturday 16th May, South Devon Steiner School, Dartington near Totnes. Tickets: £20. No dogs.

Up periscope!

For many visitors to the Devonport Naval Heritage Centre the fully operational submarine search periscope is their favourite object.

Have a go to watch live action on the River Tamar or The Sound when you visit on one of the free open days.

In the 3 floors of naval history in 6 galleries, you’ll learn stories including:

• Able Seaman Kenneth Hooper’s miraculous escape from death

• The rare and curious object from the wreck of H.M.S Coronation at Rame Head.

• The astonishing battle honours of the largest battleship built at Devonport.

Open every Wednesday and the second Saturday of the month (next one is this Sat 11th April) until October. 10am to 4pm (last entry 2.15pm). No need to book. Donations welcome.

For a pre-visit warm-up, download a free copy of the Centre’s excellent guide: A Brief History of Devonport Naval Base

Forage your lunch on a Devon shoreline

Head out barefoot across the rockpools at Carswell Farm to gather seaweed and wild coastal edibles, then return to cook and eat what you’ve found.

You’ll learn how to harvest sustainably, with a mix of shoreline foraging and hedgerow finds — before turning it all into an Asian-inspired meal in the field kitchen.

We’re talking salty air, hands-on discovery, and a proper feast — finishing with gorse flower panna cotta.

10:30am–3:30pm, Saturday 26th May, Carswell Farm, Holbeton near Plymouth. Tickets: £45 adult | £10 child.

N.B. Steep access and uneven ground. No dogs.

MEMBER POLL

Last week’s result

How many gardens do you visit in a typical summer?

• None - 6%

• 1-2 - 25%

• 3-5 - 50%

• 6-10 - 13%

• 10+ - 6%

laura selected 6-10 and said: “Whether it’s a new garden or one you’ve visited dozens of times, there is always something new to see, smell or touch; plus new ideas to take home to enrich your own garden.”

sarah picked 3-5 and wrote: “Love the open gardens scheme, especially the group openings”

skulsky selected 1-2 and wrote: “Wildside” (near Tavistock)

linda chose 1-2 and commented: “Would love to visit more but limited by timing on occasions.”

The Stranger

A film of the book about man who feels nothing, on trial for his life.

Set in 1930s Algeria, Meursault drifts through life with indifference — until an act of violence puts him in the dock.

Now it’s not just the crime under scrutiny, but his character.

Directed by François Ozon, this deliberately uncomfortable screen version of the Albert Camus book of the same name has muted tones, restrained performances, and an anti-hero who doesn’t behave as expected.

French with English subtitles. Trailer

24–29 April, Plymouth Arts Cinema. Tickets £9.

Devon Curiosities #102: Canonteign Falls

The highest waterfall in the South West wasn’t there until someone built it.

Hidden in the Teign Valley near Chudleigh, Canonteign Falls looks like a natural showpiece — a 70-metre drop cutting through steep woodland. Actually, it’s Victorian engineering.

In the 1890s, as tin and silver mining declined, Lady Susan Exmouth set the miners to work on a new project. By diverting a stream she created the waterfall you see today.

The private estate has lakes, gardens and flat woodland paths. Or you can take on the full 30-minute climb through a fern garden to a viewing platform.

It’s a reminder that not everything dramatic is entirely natural.

Open daily 10am–4pm during the season. Tickets: £16.50 (includes a return visit). Dog friendly.

WHAT ELSE IS ON?

🌊 North Devon 

🌳 South Devon

🏆️ Get lucky! Win Devon leisure prizes

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

NEW!  🐝 A honey afternoon tea for 2 plus sparkling wine at Boringdon Hall, Plymouth (13th Apr)

🦭 A 2 night stay for 2 people in May at The Carlton Hotel, Ilfracombe, including dinner and Sunday lunch, a paint and sip evening and camera workshop, worth over £550 (14th Apr)

🍏 1 of 3 Sandford Orchard hampers, each with 4 bottles of fruit flavoured ciders, chocolate bars and an all important glass (19th Apr)

NEW!  🐟️ A 2-night sea view escape for 2 at Hotel Indigo, Torquay including 3-course dinner with wine and breakfast in a premium room (30 Apr)

☕️ A 3-month Owens Organic coffee subscription and an AeroPress coffee maker worth over £100, plus 2 £25 runner-up coffee vouchers (30th Apr)

🌊 A short break worth £920 in a spacious lodge at the Riviera Bay Coastal Retreat, Brixham (31st May)

🏰 A 2-night stay for 4 at Watermouth Castle, including a 3-day castle pass and use of swimming pool (31st May)

Did you win something? Let me know

New member? Catch up here

🌞 Devon Done Properly

🏺 BBC Antiques Roadshow coming to Devon

🌊 🐴 Exeter: Where surf meets turf

🍅 Devon Food & Drink Events 2026 

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

NEXT ISSUE  Organic farm and seed bank open day

Andy, Esme and Lara