As schools finish and the tourist economy explodes, we look at some Devon events away from the beaches.

Among our picks: 10 private gardens allowing you to peek inside, the country show that likes to do things differently, and a traditional gathering of motors.

We can’t promise no crowds but, as always, something unusual or unexpected.

Yours in Devon,

P.S. We’ve teamed up with our friends at Visit South Devon to offer the chance to win a week’s stay for up 4 people (plus your dog) in Dawlish Warren plus a summer beer bundle. Enter here

August brings 10 gardens across Devon opening their gates, some for charity.

In North Devon, Mowhay near Great Torrington is a ¾-acre countryside garden built up over just 4 years, with a white garden, bonsai collection, rose terrace, fish pond and waterfall, all looking out over the Taw valley.

It's open Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th, £6 entry, and welcomes dogs.

In South Devon, Kia-Ora Farm & Gardens near Cullompton spreads across a peaceful 10 acres of lawns, lakes and ponds, complete with swans, mature trees and rhododendrons. It opens on 4 dates this month: Sunday 2nd, 16th, 30th and Monday 31st. Entry is £5.

See all 10 gardens here

If you’re looking for something unusual at a summer country fair, this year’s Chagford Show might be right up your footpath.

Terrier racing. They’re off 11.45am and 4.45pm chasing a lure in the main ring. Chagford has a fun tradition of ending with an all-comers dog race in which assorted pets charge across the field. See video

Dancing sheep. In the Sheep Show, 9 breeds mount individual podiums to their own theme tunes, followed by live shearing and the celebrated Sheep Show Shuffle. It’s sheep dancing (well, sort of).

Flyin’ Ryan. A motocross stunt rider does wheelies, precision tricks and jumps (twice, in the main ring at 1pm and 4.15pm). Look out for his partner Tasty Tina.

Open Tug-of-War. Everyone is welcome to join in at 5.15pm.

8.30am to 6pm, Thursday 20th August 2026. Tickets: £15 in advance or £18 on the gate. Dogmarsh Field, Mill End, Chagford. Free parking and shuttle buses from Chagford and Moretonhampstead.

Most book talks end with applause and a queue for signed copies. This one ends in a full-blown David Bowie tribute concert.

As part of the Torbay Literary Festival, author Alexander Larman discusses his biography Lazarus: The Second Coming of David Bowie, which explores the artist’s final years.

The book imagines what might have happened had Bowie died in 2004, having survived a near-fatal heart attack, and traces the creative rebirth that followed instead.

Then, after a quick refreshment break, sit back for nearly 2 hours of classics from The Bowie Experience tribute act.

Talk: 7pm to 9pm, Wednesday 12th August. Concert: 8.30pm to 22.35pm

Palace Theatre, Paignton. Tickets: £36

The sheer range of vehicles makes Bideford’s annual transport love-in a standout event.

Victoria Park welcomes around 400 gleaming sports and classic cars, commercial wagons and tractors, every one somebody’s pride and joy. See the Festival Facebook page

Entries come from a wide pool of enthusiasts: members of the Bideford Bridge Rotary Club and the North Devon Sports & Classic Car Club.

10am to 4pm, Sunday 9th August. £5 adults, accompanied under 16s free. Pay at the entrance. Free parking.

For a 2-3 night stay in Devon what accommodation do you prefer? Self-catering is a clear winner.

Ann chose self-catering cottage or apartment and said: “Must have a hot tub”

Ellena doesn’t usually take short breaks in Devon. “I love my home county but staycations are so expensive. I’d rather save my money and go abroad”

There aren’t many villages where you have to buy a ticket to enter.

But there aren’t many villages as picture-perfect as Clovelly.

The pay-to-enter policy might seem odd but is the reason why this typical Devon fishing village is so well preserved.

The £10.90 admission gets you parking, entry to the village, Clovelly Court Gardens, a film show, the Fisherman's Cottage and the Kingsley Museum. More than enough for a full day out.

The revenue funds the maintenance of the cobbles, cottages and harbour, which all needs to be done without the benefit of cars, which can’t negotiate the 400ft cliff.

This is where Clovelly’s famous donkeys come in. Goods travel by sledge, dragged down by hand and historically hauled up by donkeys. They remain, semi-retired at the top of the hill, the perfect addition to a selfie.

If browsing the shops, checking out the harbour and having a pint in the Red Lion isn’t enough, time your visit to attend some of the regular events.

Coming up include open-air theatre performances, a gig regatta, lobster, crab and herring festivals. Check them out here

FEATURED: 🐮 A weekend North Devon farm stay for 6 people and 2 dogs at Collaton Farm, Kings Nympton, worth £850 (9th Sep)

🍸 A luxury spa day for 2 near Dartmouth (EX or TQ postcodes only may enter. Closes 31st Jul)

NEW! 💕 A £250 Love Plymouth gift card to spend at 80+ Plymouth retailers (7th Aug)

NEW! 😎 A free holiday at Golden Sands & Dawlish Sands Holiday Park (7th Aug)

NEW! 🏁 1 of 3 Porsche driving experiences (15th Aug)

NEW! ♨ A 2-night spa break in a wellness room at Boringdon Hall including a complimentary breakfast and 60-minute treatment per person (21st Aug)

🫒 A 2-night stay for 2 with dinner at the award-winning Millbrook Inn, Kingsbridge, plus a foodie hamper (13th Sep)

🌊 A luxury coastal break for up to 8 people at Braddick’s Holiday Park, Westward Ho! (19th Dec)

NEW! 🏨 A 2-night stay for 2 at The Mercure, Paignton (no closing date given).

🌳 A 2-night September holiday at the Waterside Coastal & Countryside Park, Paignton (No closing date given)

🌊 An escape for 2 to Soar Mill Cove, Salcombe (no closing date given)

Did you win something? Let me know

🚢 Rock the Torridge

🦇 Brutus, Bandamonium and Bats

👨‍🎤 Men singing songs, some of them funny

🤕 Bideford’s festival of crashes

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

NEXT ISSUE Rosemoor Garden Festival

Andy, Esme and Lara