🏆 Hello Devoners,

Devon is the best holiday destination in the UK.

We knew that already of course, but now The Daily Telegraph agrees.

Their experts judged all 48 counties on natural wonders, history and culture, luxuries and peace and quiet.

Devon didn’t just top the rankings, it was 79 points ahead of second-placed Cumbria.

Say no more.

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Walk the rugged Clovelly to Appledore coast path and help save lives at sea

Enjoy a 16-mile marshalled walk on one of the most rugged sections of the North Devon coastline and raise money for the RNLI.

One hundred walkers collected £3,000 for the Appledore Lifeboat last year by getting sponsored to hike between Clovelly and Appledore.

Leaving Clovelly at 9am on Saturday 16th September, the fairly challenging walk (we did it in March) should take about 6 hours.

There are marshall posts, water and first aid cover, with transport laid on back to Clovelly if you need it.

Participants get an RNLI Clovelly Appledore cap and BBQ ticket.

A reasonable level of fitness is required. Walkers must be at least 13 years old and accompanied by an adult if under 16. Tickets £12.50.

Brace for surprises as “wild and crazy” Russell Brand plays Plymouth

It’s hard to pigeonhole Russell Brand, so we’re happy to go with the “wild and crazy” we read somewhere.

That’s the best clue to what his stand-up show might be like at the Plymouth Pavilions on Friday 22nd September. (Last time he visited he tattooed audience members).

The event is called Bipolarisation, whatever that means, and you won’t get much explanation in the show notes:

“Rules and rule breaking! Democracy and freedom! We reach conclusions from mass confusion by polling the live audience.”

Honestly, we’re none the wiser. You’ll have to book a seat to find out what it means. Tickets from £40.70.

Free tickets to the South West’s biggest self-build show in Exeter

They call it home project paradise.

Build It Live South West 2023 offers a wide range of advice, information and one-to-one sessions for anyone looking to self build, renovate or extend.

Over the weekend of 9th and 10th September, you can meet suppliers and industry experts, view products and materials, and attend informative live talks.

Everything from finding land to designing your home and gaining planning consent is covered.

Claim free tickets for 2, worth £24. Westpoint Centre, Clyst St Mary, Exeter, Devon, EX5 1DJ

Drawing from life for a tenner

A pencil and sketch pad, 2 hours and a nude model.

This is life drawing at The X Centre in Exeter, where you can release your artistic flair in a relaxed environment and just draw.

No-one is teaching, you just sketch as you wish, and the classes are open to complete beginners to experienced artists.

Poses range from very quick (30 seconds) up to longer 45 minute ones. The model changes each week, and you bring your own equipment.

These value for money classes every other Thursday (just £10) are popular and the 22 places fill up quickly, so best to book.

The next one is Thursday 7th September 7pm-9pm. The X Centre, Commercial Road, Exeter EX2 4AD.

They’re not just for Christmas. How about a scary Halloween wreath? (Can you spot the spider?)

[PARTNER] Join in with the spirit of Halloween at a fun workshop, and make a spooky spider or bat wreath for your door.

All materials are provided, plus mulled wine, pumpkin pie and tea/coffee at a relaxing friendly workshop run by Emma’s Flowers in Plymouth.

Come along with a work colleague, bring your Mum or relative, or ask that friend that you've been meaning to catch up with. Spend a fun evening together!

Friday 27th October 6.30pm | Woolwell Centre, Plymouth PL6 7TR | Tickets £45.

On Your Beryl Bike! An Affordable And Environmentally Friendly Way To Explore Plymouth (And Easier Up The Hills)

Want to beat the traffic around Plymouth with help on those pesky hills? You need an “eco-friendly” Beryl e-bike.

Find a nearby bike, unlock it using a smartphone app, then park where you finish in a designated area.

It costs just a £1 flat fee plus 5p per minute (£3 an hour).

More than 15,000 rides have been booked from 50 bike sites in Plymouth since the scheme was introduced. Another 40 sites are being introduced.

How it works: When you start pedalling, the electric motor assist starts automatically. You'll feel the motor giving you a boost as you pedal. The assist is capped at 15.5 mph.

Once you reach this speed, the motor will no longer assist but you'll be able to continue pedalling as normal. Pedal smoothly and let the motor do some of the work!

You can pay per ride or buy a membership. 2 hours riding time per month costs £12, or pay £40 a month for unlimited rides. You have to stay in the city zone, and there are charges if you don’t return the bikes to designated bays. Happy whizzing!

Listings

🌊 North Devon

SEPTEMBER

Fri 1st to Sat 2nd

THEATRE | 🎭 The Pantaloons present Alice in Wonderland | Fall down the magical rabbit hole and immerse yourself in the eye catching performance | Fri 1st - 3pm RHS Rosemoor, Torrington EX38 8PH | Sat 2nd - 5pm Clovelly Court Gardens, Clovelly EX39 5SY | Tickets - Adults £15, U18s £11, U4s free.

Fri 1st to Sun 3rd

LIVE MUSIC | 🤘 Shebfest, North Devon’s largest music festival, with Razorlight and Liberty X | Allacott Farm, Shebbear, Beaworthy EX21 5TF. Day tickets - Adult £62, U18 £52.

Wed 6th

COUNTRY LIVING | 🌳 Sheepdog and falconry display | Enjoy an evening watching majestic birds of prey and working sheepdogs | Borough Farm, Mortehoe, Woolacombe EX34 7HE | Pay when you arrive | Adults £7.50, Child £3.50, U5s free.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES | 🌿 Wild Food Walk | Explore the dunes and meadows or Woolacombe whilst learning about foraging and bushcraft | Woolacombe Tourism Information Centre, The Esplanade, Woolacombe EX34 7DL | Tickets £16.96, children free.

Sat 9th

LIVE MUSIC | 💽 SkyBar presents Danny Howard, BBC Radio 1’s Dance Party Host | Down End, Croyde EX33 1QE | Tickets from £39.50 per person.

Fri 15th

COMEDY | 🎙️ The Cedars Inn hosts a fun-filled comedy night with professional comedians | Cedars Inn, Barnstaple EX31 2HE | Tickets £12 per person.

Fri 15th to Sun 24th

LITERATURE | 📚 The Appledore Book Festival | Authors and speakers including Hugh Bonneville | North Devon Maritime Museum, Appledore EX39 1PT | Ticket prices vary depending on each event.

Sat 16th

THEATRE | 🎭 Rave On | A musical journey through Rock and Roll | The Palace Theatre, Palace Avenue, Paignton TQ3 3HF | 7.30pm to 10pm | Tickets 23.77

Fri 22nd to Sun 24th

SURF YOGA RETREAT | Surf South West, Croyde Bay, one of the gems of north Devon’s coast | Single person £380 per person. Two sharing £335.

Sat 23rd to Sun 24th

STEAM FAIR | 🚂 The Lynton and Barnstable Railway Autumn Gala | Visit to witness an operational steam engine train and classic cars | Woody Bay Station, Parracombe EX31 4RA |

Sun 24th

CRAFT | 🎨 Create your own unique woodblock print design under the guidance of North Devon printmaker Josie Grant | Studio KIND, Unit 3 Velator Way, Braunton EX33 2FB | £60.00 per person.

Fri 29th

MUSIC | 🎙️ The Ultimate Queen Tribute Band comes to Barnstable | A night celebrating the 50th anniversary of Queen’s debut album release | Queen’s Theatre, Barnstaple EX31 1SY | Tickets from £23.50.

OCTOBER

Fri 13th

MUSIC | 🎶 Proust’s Salon: Le Concert Retrouve | Enjoy an evening of classical music, with high tea and opportunity to explore the beautiful gardens of Castle Hill | Castle Hill Gardens, Filleigh, Barnstaple EX32 0RQ | Tickets £95.

Sun 15th

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES | 🧗 The Mission Unbreakable commando challenge | Do you have what it takes to complete a 10km obstacle course? | North Molton Sports Ground EX36 3HG | Registration £45.

Wed 18th

THEATRE | 🩰 Immerse yourself in the magical world of the Wizard of Oz with a ballet adaptation of the classic story | Queens Theatre, Barnstaple EX31 1SY | Tickets from £22.

Sat 21st

SCIENCE | 🌳 To celebrate Apple Day, Sciencedipity hosts interactive experiments to learn about Issac Newton’s theory of gravity | Suitable for children age 4-7 | Barnstable Library, Tuly Street, Barnstaple EX31 1EL | £5 per ticket.

Sat 21st to Tuesday 31st 

HALLOWEEN | 🎃 Be a student for the day at the School for Witches and Wizards | Learn to cast spells, brew potions and have fun on some halloween rides | The Milky Way Adventure Park, Bideford EX39 5RY | Tickets £16.95 for children 3 years and up.

Sun 22nd

CRAFT FAIR | 🎨 Clovelly hosts its very own Apple Day Craft fair | Enjoy a selection of apple ciders, witness an apple press in action and get involved in apple themed craft and activities | Visitor Centre, Clovelly, Bideford EX39 5TA.

🐬 South Devon

SEPTEMBER

Fri 1st

MUSIC | 🎙️ Jally Kebba Susso comes to Totnes! | Have the opportunity to listen to one of the best performers of the West African instrument the kora | The Barrel House, 59a High Street, Totnes TQ9 5PB | Tickets from £13.20.

Sat 2nd

CHARITY EVENT | ☀️ The Great Big Paddle Board Parade | World record paddleboarding attempt and fund-raiser for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) | Torbay | Standard tickets £15 per paddler.

MUSIC | 🎷 Chagford Music Day | Enjoy a day of live music across a host of venues in Chagford to raise money for the Proper Job Charity | The Square, Chagford TQ13 | Donations appreciated.

Sun 3rd

OPEN GARDEN | 🌳 Bowringsleigh, West Alvington, near Kingsbridge, in aid of St Luke’s Hospice | Donations.

CAR SHOW | 🚙 Lyneham Classic Car Show | Showcasing classic cars, with jazz music, food stalls and bouncy castle | Proceeds to Devon Air Ambulance | Lyneham House, Lyneham, Yealmpton, Plymouth PL8 2LG. | Entry £5. U16s free.

Wed 6th to Sun 10th

SCIENCE | 🌍 Climate Exhibition | Learn about our planet and its climate using virtual reality and scientific research | Exeter Science Centre, Maketank, Paris Street, Exeter EX1 2JB | No pre-booking required.

Fri 8th to Sun 10th

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES | 🏊‍♀️ Devon RuckRaft Retreat | A weekend retreat celebrating everything the countryside has to offer, with wild swimming, hiking and camping | Pilchard Inn, Burgh Island, Kingsbridge TQ7 4BG | £434 per person for the weekend.

Sat 9th

SWIM / RUN | 🏊‍♂️ 🏃‍♀️Rocky Horror Swim Run | Choice of distances. Long: 4 swims (2 km) and 3 runs (15 miles), medium: 3 swims (1.5 km) and 2 runs (12 miles), short: 2 swims (1 km) and 1 run (7 miles) l Start 1.30pm | Hope Cove, Galmpton TQ7 3EY | Solo, relay or pair tickets from £25.

MUSIC | 💽 The Mersey Beatles | “The best Beatles tribute band around” takes Paignton! | Palace Theatre, Paignton TQ3 3HF | Tickets from £25.89.

Sun 10th

CAR SHOW | 🛻 Brixham Classic Car and Motorcycle Show | Enjoy a day celebrating vintage cars and motorcycles with a drink in hand | Lupton House, Brixham TQ5 0LD | Free entry, donations to Lupton House appreciated.

Tue 12th

LITERATURE | 📖 Poetry Night | Read your favourite poetry and showcase your own poetry works with the theme “Beginnings and Endings” | Devon and Exeter Institution, 7 Cathedral Cl, Exeter EX1 1EZ | Free.

Sat 16th

MUSIC | 🎙️ Alfie Boe performs the greatest hits from musical theatre | Plymouth Pavillions, Plymouth PL1 3LF | Tickets from £40.70.

Sat 16th to Sun 17th

FISH FESTIVAL | 🐟 Seafest Plymouth | Fresh fish stalls, cookery theatre and childrens activities | The Barbican and Sutton Harbour, Plymouth PL1 2LR | Free.

Mon 18th

GEOLOGY | ⛏ Day Trip with Stuart Line Cruises. 6.5 hour seaborne tour of South Devon’s coastal geology | Exmouth | 10.30am to 5pm. £25 per person.

Sat 23rd

MUSIC | 💽 Swiftogeddon | A night celebrating the iconic popstar Taylor Swift, with extended mixes, fan favourites and deep cuts | 18s and over | Exeter Phoenix, Gandy Street, Exeter EX4 3LS | Tickets £11.02.

Sun 24th

RIVER RUN | 🐟 Salmon Run 50 mile ultra marathon, relay and 5K run along the River Exe | Ultra £30, Relay (4-8 people) £15, 5K £5. Booking. 

OCTOBER

Sat 7th

BARN DANCE | 🕺 The Legendary Hennock Barn Dance | A night of dancing, ceilidh music and enjoyment for all the family | Beechleigh Farm, Furzeleigh Lane, Bovey Tracey TQ13 9LU | Adult tickets £10, Youth (12-17) £4, U11s Free.

Sun 8th

CYCLE CHALLENGE | 🚴 Tour of the Moor around Dartmoor for all abilities in aid of St Luke’s Hospice | Harrowbeer Airfield, Yelverton PL20 6BU | Register.

Sun 15th

HIKING CHALLENGE | 🥾 Warrior Women Walk | Take part in a 10km walk around the beautiful Burrator reservoir and surrounding area in aid of the charity Trevi | Dogs permitted on leads | Registration £20, U10s £10.

Want your event listed? Email us.

That’s all for this week, but can I ask a favour?

We’ll keep finding the exciting, surprising, interesting and cool things to do.

You tell everyone who loves Devon about us.

Deal?

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

😎 Andy, Esme, Lara and the Go Devon! team

P.S. If you don't like what we’re doing, unsubscribe at any time. Seriously, no hard feelings.

Ml