There’s still a chance to see the vibrant tulip display at Strawberry Fields, Lifton, near Launceston this weekend on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th.

Go Devon! reporters in the shape of Mum, Emma and Esme visited on Good Friday and reported the 250,000 bulbs in 40 varieties were indeed spectacular.

Emma’s advice is to get yourself up one of the viewing platforms to take in the full 3 acre experience and get pictures like this. Tickets £9.95.

Rounding off our coverage of the best Devon musical festivals in 2025, most of this issue is devoted to 4 quality, mid and late summer events that fill a gap if you missed out on Glastonbury.

How about Altitude, Sidmouth Folk Festival, Beautiful Days or Shebfest?

With more than 250 live acts to enjoy, difficult choices lie ahead.

P.S. Knowing what you love doing in Devon is crucial to making this newsletter right for you. Would you help shape its future? My survey takes less than 2 minutes, and you get a chance to win a £25 Amazon Gift Card. Click here to take part.

P.P.S. Many thanks if you have already shared your views. A summary is coming soon.

Altitude Devon, Blackborough near Cullompton, Thursday 24th to Saturday 26th July

LINEUP: 60+ acts including Molotov Jukebox, Tankus, Cut Capers, Dr Meaker, Romeo Stodart, Land of the Giants, Ozric Tentacles, Leeroy Thornhill, Utah Saints, Deekline, Altern 8, Hiphoppapotamus, Filthy Dirty Disco. Listen

FORMAT: Live stages and separate Electric Avenue DJ slots. Family entertainment workshops, yoga, sauna, willow weaving, jugglers.

VIBES: With a Blackdown Hills backdrop, Altitude delivers a boutique festival with a community vibe through a non-profit ethos.

• It’s known for offering up-close access to performers and thoughtful stage programming. Camping facilities and food options are well-received, and return rates are high.

Sidmouth Folk Festival, Friday 1st to Friday 8th August

LINEUP: Fairport Convention, Fisherman’s Friends, Seth Lakeman Band, Richard Thompson, Sharon Shannon, Dervish, Steve Knightley, Dougie Maclean, Flook, Elephant Sessions, The East Pointers, Peatbog Faeries among 90 acts so far

FORMAT: Takes place throughout the town of Sidmouth, spanning many genres and interests, including top tier concert stars, emerging talent, ceilidhs and folk dances, storytelling plus sessions and workshops.

VIBES: A giant of the UK folk scene, Sidmouth turns the whole town into a performance space. The combination of formal concerts, buskers, dance displays and workshops creates a layered cultural experience.

• Despite its scale, the festival retains a deep sense of tradition and community, though some venues can feel overcrowded during peak times.

Beautiful Days, Escot Park near Honiton, Friday 15th to Sunday 17th August

LINEUP: Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls, Sex Pistols featuring Frank Carter, The Levellers, Mercury Rev, Fantastic Negrito, Kate Rusby, Shed Seven, Kula Shaker, John Grant. See all 90+ acts.

FORMAT: Single site with 6 stages with a 17,500 capacity. An independent festival (no corporate sponsors), founded by The Levellers band in 2003, offering diverse music and rising stars.

• Yoga, meditation and breathwork classes are available to book, plus massage and healing sessions. There are 2 campsites and bell tents, yurts and tipis to hire.

VIBES: Fiercely non-commercial with a strong alternative, eco-conscious, sustainable and family ethos, the proof of success is that every festival has sold out. A Sunday costume parade - this year’s theme is “All at Sea” - is a favourite with regulars.

Sheb Fest, Shebbear near Beauworthy, Friday 29th and Saturday 30th August

LINEUP: With the festival a few months off, the lineup is still coming together. Already announced are Noble Jacks and Chasing Mumford. Keep an eye out here.

FORMAT: 2 days of live music across 2 stages from this independent festival now in its 10th year. Billed as the perfect way to end the summer, more than 3,000 fans come each year.

VIBES: A grassroots festival with a big heart, Sheb Fest offers a strong value-for-money experience in a rural setting. It appeals to locals and young families, with plenty of kid-friendly features.

• Reviewers often praise the affordability and relaxed, non-commercial vibe at this intimate gathering. Over the years it has raised £50,000 for North Devon Hospice

Devon Curiosities #55: Sharrah Pool

A strong candidate for the best wild swimming spot on Dartmoor, Sharrah Pool is popular despite being 2 miles from a road.

One of many swimming “holes” along this stretch of the Dart River, Sharrah is the biggest and best in a serene woodland with rocky walls, a slow current and deep water.

It really is a magical place, especially when the sun shines through the tree canopy and bounces off the surface. But don’t expect warm water!

BEST TIME TO GO: A perfect place to cool off and picnic on a hot summer’s day. Avoid school holidays and weekends if you want a chance of having the place to yourself.

WHERE: About 10 minutes drive from Ashburton, use the car park at Newbridge TQ13 7NT where an all day ticket is £2, and follow the riverbank.

WHAT ELSE IS ON?

🌊 North Devon 

View 58 more North Devon events

🐬 South Devon

Check out 94 more South Devon events

🏆️ Get lucky! Win Devon leisure prizes

FEATURED: 🏊‍♀️ A wild swimming walk for 3 people (experienced or beginners) in Plymouth or Dartmoor worth £135 (27th Apr)

🐏 A 3-night stay in a Dittisham Hideaway shepherd’s hut for 2 adults, including a welcome hamper and logs for the woodburner and hot tub (30th Apr)

🎙️ 2 tickets to all 3 music events at Plymouth Argyle in May, including Kaiser Chiefs + Jake Bugg and the Alive and Relive concerts (30th Apr)

🛏️ 1 night B & B for 2 during May at Future Inn, Plymouth (30th Apr)

🌳 A 2 night stay for two people in a refurbished former farmhouse in a semi-rural location in North Devon (No closing date given)

A 2-night luxury stay at Gara Rock hotel on the South Devon coast (2nd May)

NEW!  ♨️ A weekend break for 2 at a Torquay leisure resort with cabaret, swimming pool, gym and spa (18th May)

NEW!  🌲A Forestry England membership worth £94, giving free parking to more than 20 Devon forests, plus all those in the rest of the country (20th May)

🐟️ A 1-night short break in Exeter including travel, B & B at the Rougemont Hotel, a £100 fish restaurant voucher, plus tours of Exeter Gin and the city’s underground passages (31st May)

🐶 A 4-night break in a dog friendly cottage in East Devon for up to 4 people and 2 dogs (28th Sep)

❓️ Have you won a prize from a link you found here? Let us know and we’ll share the good news.

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💥 The £5 Victorian fortress that still fires cannons

🎵 Before you book a Devon music festival, read this

🏔️ The Swiss Alps? Nope This Is In Devon

🎸 Five different festivals, 5 different vibes 

That’s all for this week.

(Don’t forget the survey!)

Thanks for being a member.

Andy, Esme, Lara and the Go Devon! team