Spring has sprung.

You can climb on a tractor, watch a parading leaf man, or stand in front of 300 works of exceptional North Devon art and pick a favourite.

Not bad for a week in April.

Yours in Devon,

Organic farm Spring open day

Shillingford Organics is an organic farm just 3 miles from the centre of Exeter.

On Sunday visitors are invited in to explore, learn, and see the “healthy food for local people” culture up close.

• Tractor-trailer rides around the farm

• Foraging walk to gather ingredients

• Introduction to the Exeter Broad Bean Project with Exeter Seed Bank

• Fermentation demo with Rose Whitehouse

Seasonal farm lunch + pastries from St Sidwell’s Bakehouse (extra charge) or bring a picnic.

10am to 3pm, Sunday 19th April, Barton Lane, Exeter EX2 9QQ

Tickets: Adult £10, U16 free. Muddy terrain - it’s a farm!

Wall to wall North Devon art

This mesmerising image in oils won North Devon artist Duncan Hopkins a coveted Ken Doughty award this year.

It’s one of 300 exhibits at one of the most important local exhibitions in the calendar at The Burton at Bideford and open until Sunday 26th April.

The Westward Ho! and Bideford Art Society has shown off it’s members best work in Bideford since 1954.

The exhibition fills both galleries with painting, drawing, sculpture and mixed media. All works are available to buy. Free entry. Website.

7,000 stranded passengers. One small town

The remarkable true story of air passengers from all over the world stranded in Newfoundland during 9/11 comes to the Devonport Playhouse.

Winner of four Olivier Awards, including best musical, Come From Away shares the heart-warming tale of the hospitality provided by locals to complete strangers that created lasting friendships.

The first female American Airlines captain, the quick-thinking town mayor, the mother of a New York firefighter and the eager local news reporter are among the many real characters whose stories became a celebration of hope and humanity.

Wednesday 22nd to Saturday 25th April. Tickets: from £16

The Green Man is back

It’s English heritage, folk and seasonal rituals rolled into one.

The Bovey Tracey Green Man Festival is an annual celebration of the coming summer.

You can join the festivities on Saturday 25th April in the town centre.

Enjoy the Green Man parade, music, street food and Morris dancing everywhere.

Watch a traditional Mummers folk play, and the ancient ritual of the Green Man “defoliated” — stripped of his leaves, reminding us that summer always turns to autumn.

Fun starts at 10am. Updates here

A Night at the Opera by candlelight

If arias and overtures are your thing don’t miss this evening of operatic music.

Four soloists and the London Concertante ensemble take over Exeter Cathedral to perform favourites including the most popular themes from:

Rossini’s Barber of Seville, Verdi’s Rigoletto and La Traviata, Puccini’s Madam Butterfly and Turandot, and Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, among many others.

7.30pm, Friday 15th May. Tickets: From £26.91

MEMBER POLL

Last week’s result

Would you try a guided foraging experience?

• Yes, absolutely - 40%

• Maybe, with the right guide - 12%

• I like the idea but not the eating part - 12%

• No, not for me - 36%

margaret picked yes, absolutely and commented: “Interesting to see how many free foods are available in the beautiful Devon country side and try tastings (maybe). Not a mushroom fan though!”

nigel chose no, not for me and wrote: “Overpriced”

emma selected yes and wrote: “Yes, either coastal or in land”

laura chose yes and said: “My husband & I did a fungal foray last year. An absolutely fabulous day out in some gorgeous woodland. We’d definitely be open to do more days like that”

molly said: “Yes please!”

Devon Curiosities #103: Grimspound

Walking around Grimspound on a bleak winter’s day you can’t help wondering how people living there managed to survive.

According to Google it was warmer and drier in the Bronze Age which explains why this artist’s impression of the site 1,000 years ago makes it look like a holiday resort.

You can visit the moor’s best-known prehistoric settlement by taking only a short walk from your car.

From either Postbridge or Moretonhampstead, turn off the B3212 at Challacombe Cross, signposted Widecombe, and proceed 1.4 miles to a small layby.

There were once 24 round homes inside the stone wall on this now rather eerie site, a stream running through the top section, and maybe fields for crops and cattle below.

After you’ve pondered how lucky we are to have central heating, retrace your steps, and retire to the nearby Warren House Inn for a drink or a meal in front of a warm fire.

Read more about Grimspound history on the English Heritage website.

WHAT ELSE IS ON?

🌊 North Devon 

🌳 South Devon

🏆️ Get lucky! Win Devon leisure prizes

FEATURED: 🐟️ 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)

🍏 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 Tulip Afternoon Tea for 4 at Strawberry Fields, Lifton (20th Apr)

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

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

NEW!  🏁 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)

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

NEW!  🌳 A restorative 3-night escape at Wilderhus Glamping South Molton (31st 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)

NEW!  👨‍👨‍👧‍👦 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

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⚖️ How I met Verity

🌞 Devon Done Properly

🏺 BBC Antiques Roadshow coming to Devon

🌊 🐴 Exeter: Where surf meets turf

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

NEXT ISSUE Plymouth Vegan Market beckons

Andy, Esme and Lara