It’s that time of year when hordes of crazy, fun-loving Morris folk emerge to welcome in the Spring with their ribbons and bells.

Want to join in the madness?

Set your alarm clock for pre-dawn on Friday 1st May to experience hardcore Morris in action from 5.30am.

We tracked down 3 dawn Morris frolics where you can watch and join in if you want.

• Plymouth Hoe Promenade near Smeaton’s Tower (Plymouth Morris)

• Totnes Castle (Dartington Morris)

• Sharpitor B3212 Dartmoor (Dartmoor Border Morris)

Don’t fancy an early start? See 5 Morris troops in action at Super Saturday: May Day on Saturday 2nd May at The Box, Plymouth.

Yours in Devon,

More than just movies

Pack a picnic and get ready for an experience!

Outdoor cinema turns a film into a full evening out: arrive early, watch the sun go down and soak up the atmosphere before the opening scenes roll.

This summer the blockbusters lined up for Plymouth and Exeter include sing-a-longs to the bewitching magic of Wicked and the ever popular ABBA.

If classics are more your thing choose Pretty Woman, Jurassic Park or Sense & Sensibility. Tickets from £17.37

Saltram House, Plymouth

• Friday 22nd May. Wicked Sing-A-Long

• Saturday 23rd May. Mamma Mia! ExtrABBAganza

• Sunday 24th May. Sense & Sensibility

Powderham Castle, Exeter

• Friday 14th August. Jurassic Park

• Saturday 15th August. Mamma Mia! ExtrABBAganza

• Sunday 16th August. Pretty Woman / Andrea Bocelli 30: The Celebration

John Cooper Clarke in Exmouth and Barnstaple

Not your typical night out in Devon, so John Cooper Clarke easily deserves a plug in this newsletter.

The godfather of punk poetry still surprises with sharp observations somewhere between stand-up and verse, always delivered with a Lancashire grin.

You’ll get rapid-fire delivery, dry wit, and a sense you’re with someone who's seen it all. Expect classic pieces like I Wanna Be Yours and offhand asides about modern life.

• Sunday 26th April, Exmouth Pavilions. Tickets: £30

• Wednesday 29th April, Queens Theatre Barnstaple. Tickets: £30

Tavistock eats the world

This is the night Bedford Square fills with gorgeous smells and people graze from stall to stall with drink in hand.

The evening street food market is back on Saturday 25th April — just turn up and indulge in Caribbean, Indian, Mediterranean, Asian, or the more traditional comforts of American burgers and loaded fries.

There’s plenty of plant-based for vegetarians and vegans, and sweet things if you’ve got room for afters.

A bar keeps the place lively with local ales, prosecco and cocktails.

Start time 5pm. More here 

Can’t make April? The event is back monthly throughout the summer with different traders every time to keep things fresh and spicy.

Dates: 23rd May, 27th June, 25th July, 22nd August (all Saturdays)

Grayson Perry: life laid bare

If you’ve not been yet, this is your last chance.

The Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery in Exeter is hosting the last few weeks of its first show dedicated to the provocative and witty Grayson Perry.

Pots, textiles, etchings and woodcuts sit side by side, all asking the same question: who do we think we are?

The headline draw is material from A House for Essex, including the full set of large tapestries (one above) telling the story of a fictional life.

Some works include adult themes. Until Sunday 3rd May.

Tickets: £6 online, £8 on the door.

Bring your own tupperwares

Not just selling animal-friendly food, Plymouth Vegan Market itself is eco-friendly.

If plant-based is your thing, or you’re flexible, Saturday’s Central Park event offers a selection of some the best independent vegan and vegetarian businesses.

Alongside street food, artisan cheese, and homemade sweet treats you’ll find ethical fashion, cruelty-free skincare and zero waste household goods.

No plastic bags or cutlery here (bring your own reusables) and plant a tree to offset carbon if you came by car.

10am to 4pm, Saturday 2nd May. Free entry.

MEMBER POLL

Last week’s result

How often do you buy locally grown Devon produce?

• Every week - 30%

• A few times a month - 15%

• Occasionally - 30%

• Rarely - 15%

• Never - 10%

Angela chose occasionally and wrote: “I would much prefer to buy direct from a farm or local producer, but finding those outlets is an huge obstacle.”

Nigel selected rarely and commented: “Can’t find produce marked as locally grown.”

Laura selected every week and added: “With so many local farm shops and markets it’s fabulous being able to get local produce. I love seeing the chickens out in the fields at the egg farm.”

Emma chose rarely and said: “I’m not aware that food I buy is locally grown. It’s all about price. Also, organic fruit and veg is still sprayed with pesticides.”

Devon Curiosities #104: Arlington Court

A grand house, yes — but Arlington Court near Barnstaple is more than that.

Elegant rooms inside with plenty to wonder at but the house also has the National Carriage Museum which is a real surprise.

Rows of beautifully restored coaches, once used for everyday travel and ceremonial spectacles, including the elaborate Speaker’s State Coach, taking you back to the age of horse-driven transport.

Outside, miles of paths stretch through parkland and woodland, with acres of choice for picnic spots and, of course, a cafe for tea and cake.

If you like your outings with a bit of substance, including history and landscape, Arlington Court delivers without trying too hard.

Open daily until 30th October. Tickets: £17

WHAT ELSE IS ON?

🌊 North Devon 

🌳 South Devon

🏆️ Get lucky! Win Devon leisure prizes

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

NEW!  🐑 A 3-night shepherd’s lodge stay for 2 at Dittisham Hideaway, worth up to £465 (26th Apr)

NEW!  ♨️ A pamper day for 2 at Northcote Manor Hotel & Spa with 60 minutes of treatments and afternoon tea (30th Apr)

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

🐶 A £350 voucher towards a break at dog-friendly Corffe House Holiday Cottages, Barnstaple (30th Apr)

🏇 A family ticket to a Newton Abbot Racecourse raceday in 2026 (1st May)

🏁 A Devon mini break for 2 in a beachside apartment with tickets for karting, zip-lining and a giant swing, plus £250 cash for travel (4th May)

NEW!  🌊 A 2-night stay at the art deco Burgh Island Hotel in South Devon with breakfast and dinner, worth £1,200 (16th May)

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

🌊 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)

👨‍👨‍👧‍👦 A 3-night family break for 5 at Crealy Theme Park in September worth over £500 (28th Jun)

Did you win something? Let me know

Tired of news that feels like noise?

Every day, 4.5 million readers turn to 1440 for their factual news fix. We sift through 100+ sources to bring you a complete summary of politics, global events, business, and culture — all in a brief 5-minute email. No spin. No slant. Just clarity.

Join for free today!

New member? Catch up here

🌳 Organic farm open day

⚖️ How I met Verity

🌞 Devon Done Properly

🏺 BBC Antiques Roadshow coming to Devon

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

NEXT ISSUE Exmouth Art Weekend

Andy, Esme and Lara