☀️ Greetings Devon Lovers!

A few things.

First, we hope you’re having a great summer!

And we have a small request.

If you attend events we’ve written about please tell organisers you read about them in Go Devon!

This will help us grow the newsletter and reach more Devon lovers.

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Don’t forget to have fun outdoors this summer!

Love Summer with ska, soul, funk and reggae this weekend

For a small independent music festival that celebrates the sunny season look no further than Love Summer in Plymouth this weekend.

Organisers say it’s big enough for a proper party but small enough to be friendly.

Now in their 12th year, they must be doing something right.

There’s music in 3 venues.

The Big Top features jungle, electroswing, ska, funk and soul, and Orange Street is home to non-stop reggae with “deep and dirty” beats.

If all you want to do is dance, The Dave is the place for all things house music with DJs changing every hour. See the full music line-up.

This year’s dress theme is pirates and there are rewards for the best dressed.

Day tickets from £35, plus £10 parking.

Newnham Park Estate, Plympton, Devon PL7 5BN

War, football and knitting at the Appledore Book Festival, 15-24 September

BBC foreign editor Jeremy Bowen on the Middle East, international manager Martin O’Neill on football and TV presenter Louise Michin on adventurous women.

Just a few of the stars lining up to talk writing and books at the Appledore Book Festival.

North Devon’s celebration of art and literature is more than just words though.

Josie Sims of the Appledore Knitting Group will talk about the history of the Appledore Gansey and give demonstrations of how to knit this very special garment. (£8)

The mystery and magic of the Appledore myrtle is discussed by local plant writer Pete Yeo, (£8) and local artist and illustrator Clare Willcocks explores the town through watercolour sketches (£18).

Some events are free and there’s much more to look forward to on the website. Tickets.

“Curious and anarchic” Alice comes to outdoor venues in North Devon

It won’t be the usual rendition of Alice in Wonderland.

The producers of this outdoor theatre in Clovelly and Great Torrington strive for different, with a show that’s “experimental, eye-catching, moving and fun”.

All the unusual suspects are here: the mirthful Mad Hatter, the perpetually late White Rabbit, the quarrelsome Queen of Hearts and the adventurous leading lady.

An anarchic performance gets curiouser as it goes on with live music and audience interaction.

The Pantaloons theatre company draws from many acting traditions to bring a sense of play and the unexpected to classical performances.

This could be one of those summer evenings when outdoor theatre comes into its own.

Bring a picnic and something to sit on.

Tickets Adult £15, U18 £11, U4 free.

Friday 1st September | RHS Rosemoor | Torrington EX38 8PH

Saturday 2nd September | 6.30pm to 10.30pm | Clovelly Court Gardens, Clovelly EX39 5SY

Is this the most fun you can have on 4 wheels?

For an exciting and possibly muddy day out how about quad biking, 4×4 driving, axe throwing and mini Land Rover drives?

It all takes place on a family-run farm near Ilfracombe that’s been running for 20 years and specialises in off-road experiences.

Keypitts Offroad Adventures is open all day every day regardless of the weather so this is a good option for one of those rare rainy days in North Devon.

The wetter the better, as they say!

Helmets, wellies, waterproofs all provided, along with tuition.

Keypitts Farm, Ilfracombe EX34 9RW

Enjoy stunning scenery and wildlife from the water

Try a trip in a Canadian canoe if you’re looking for a truly relaxing way to enjoy the Tamar Valley.

Don’t worry if you’re not athletic, or worried about staying dry.

The craft are stable, the trips go with the tide and paddling just isn’t a chore.

You’ll be on the water for about 2.5 hours between Cotehele Quay to somehere past the dramatic Calstock viaduct (depending on weather and paddling enthusiasm), with a picnic break in a private riverside meadow.

Paddle past steep woodlands and a Civil War chapel built by Sir Richard Edgecumbe to escape from the Roundheads.

A sharp bend in the river goes past Danescombe House, built for a mine captain and once a hotel.

Prices: Adults £36, U18s £26, U5s free. Dogs welcome too. Canoe Tamar. 01822 833409.

Go wild in the country with a bear (not a real one)

Experiences are everything these days and the Gone Wild festival fronted by outdoorsman Bear Grylls sets the bar high.

He’s promising adventure by day and partying by night, creating fond family memories to look back on.

With more than 100 activities included in the ticket price, plus additional paid-for things to do, it’s fair to say there’s something for everyone.

Just by way of example, you can, for free: enjoy 4 or more types of yoga, throw spears, join a Kiwi war dance, get your face painted or talk cold water immersion therapy.

Premium events include trapeze lessons, iron forging, break dancing, timed commando assault course, and survival archery.

You can get day or weekend camping tickets. When you get home, you might need a holiday…

Tickets and events.

Listings

🌊 North Devon

AUGUST

Sat 5th

THEATRE | 🎭 Rave On | A musical journey through rock ‘n roll | The Landmark Theatre, The Promenade, Ilfracombe EX34 9BZ | Tickets from £29.

Sat 5th to Sat 12th

SAILING | ⛵️ North Devon Yacht Club Open Week | Regattas, yacht cruises and outdoor activities for sailors and families | Marine Parade, Instow, Bideford EX39 4HW | Day tickets, adults £15, U18s £10.

Sun 6th

GARDEN OPENING | 🌲 Lewtrenchard Manor, summer colour including sunken garden and restored walled vegetable garden, in aid of St Luke’s Hospice | Okehampton EX20 4PN

Fri 11th to Sun 13th

BEACH SPORTS | 🏉 Weston Beach Rugby and Netball Festival, with mens, womens, and mixed/family 5 asides. | Weston-super-Mare, BS23 1AS | Team entries: Rugby £150. Netball £100. Veterans £50.

Fri 25th to Mon 28th

FESTIVAL | ⛺️ Tiny Gatherings | A little bohemian festival, with forest school, wellness activities and great food | Family and dog friendly | Broadbury, Okehampton EX20 3PG | Weekend tickets £100.38.

Sun 27th to Mon 28th

BEER FESTIVAL | 🍻 The North Devon Beer Festival presents the best local beers, ales and food, with live entertainment | Barnstable Pannier Market, Barnstable EX31 1SY Tickets on the door.

SEPTEMBER

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.

Sat 9th

LIVE MUSIC | 💽 SkyBar presents Danny Howard, BBC Radio 1s Dance Party Host | Down End, Croyde EX33 1QE | Tickets from £37.50 per.

Fri 15th

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

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 | See an operational steam engine train and classic cars | Woody Bay Station, Parracombe EX31 4RA |

🐬 South Devon

AUGUST

Fri 4th to Sun 6th

VEHICLE SHOW | 🚜 Torbay Steam Fair, with vintage cars, commercial vehicles, motorbikes, military vehicles and tractors | Kennels Showfields, Dartmouth Road, Churston Ferrers, Brixham TQ5 0JT | Adults £12, Concessions £10, U16s £6.

Fri 4th to Fri 11th

LIVE MUSIC | 🎸 Sidmouth Folk Festival with concerts, ceilidhs, folk dances, children’s festival, storytelling, workshops and dance displays | Sidmouth EX10 8XR | Events range from free to £37, see tickets here.

Mon 7th to Sat 12th

THEATRE | 🎭 42nd Street | Musical with former East Enders actress Samantha Womack | Theatre Royal, Plymouth PL1 2TR | Tickets from £29.

Fri 11th to Sun 13th

TRIBUTE BANDS | 😎 Big Tribute Fest | Takes on Coldplay, Elton John, Dolly Parton, Little Mix, Elvis, Queen, Abba, Tina Turner, Oasis, UB40, Ed Sheeran, Robbie Williams, Steps and Beyonce | Central Park, Plymouth PL2 3DQ. Tickets from £15 adult, £10 child.

Wed 16th to Thu 17th

FIREWORKS | 🎇 British Fireworks Championships | Firework displays, live music and a fun fair | Plymouth Hoe PL1 2PA | Free.

Sat 19th to Sun 20th

CHEESE FESTIVAL | 🧀 The Tavistock Real Cheese Fair | Cheeses, bread, chutney, wine and cider | Tavistock Town Hall PL19 0AE | Free entry.

Fri 25th

AIR SHOW | 🛩️ Sidmouth Air Show | Witness a Spitfire and Hurricane flypast plus the Red Arrows | Sidmouth Sea Front EX10 0NW | Free | Donations requested.

SEPTEMBER

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.

Sun 3rd

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

CAR SHOW | 🚙 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.

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.

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.

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 2nd

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

Want your event listed? Email us.

That’s all for this week folks, but here’s that thing again.

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.

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