Blackpool Sands is the prettiest beach in the UK, according to a survey.

A travel company analysed Google beach reviews for words like beautiful, stunning, picturesque and tranquil and our Dartmouth beauty came top.

What do you think? Blackpool is gorgeous, but are there prettier Devon beaches?

Let me know in the Member Poll below and suggest a better looking one if you can!

Yours in Devon,

P.S. I think the vastness of Saunton Sands has a stunning beauty all of its own.

A dozen gardens not regularly open to the public share their early autumn colours over the next 2 months.

I picked out 2 to give you a flavour. The rest are here

🌺 Fri 4th, Sat 5th, Sun 6th September

Sutton Mead | Moretonhampstead | £6 | Accessible, partial | Dogs allowed

A garden with splendid views of Dartmoor, developed over 48 years, with seasonal colour from rhododendrons, azaleas, hydrangeas and dahlias, a woodland walk, pond, vegetable garden and mature orchard.

🌺 Sun 18th and Mon 19th October

Regency House | Hemyock, Cullompton | £8 | Accessible | Dogs allowed

A 5-acre plantsman's garden with unusual trees and shrubs, including mature specimen acers and betulas, vegetable areas, dahlias and six species of bat (sightings not guaranteed).

See the full list, all the details and links here

It’s hard to imagine a better setting for a play set in the underworld.

Exeter-based Four of Swords is staging Orpheus in Beer Quarry Caves — but in this theatre there are no seats and you follow the action through candlelit tunnels.

In the ancient tale of love and loss, Orpheus starts a desperate search for his beloved Eurydice taken by the underground gods.

The company are experts at this kind of production, having staged Macbeth and Medea in the caves .

6.30pm and 8.30pm, Tuesday 8th to Thursday 24th September, Beer Quarry Caves, near Seaton. Tickets: £17-£45. Warm clothes recommended.

You’ll probably hear them before you see them.

On Bank Holiday Monday, 31st August, up to 250 Minis will rev their way around North Devon on an eccentric grand tour.

They’ll be nose-to-tail in one enormous convoy which, at 30mph, can stretch for nearly 10 miles and take 15 to 20 minutes to pass.

An event going back to 1994, The Legendary Grand Tour has become a well-loved annual fixture raising money for Children’s Hospice South West.

ROUTE: Start Bideford 11am, Fremington 11.40am, Lynton, the Valley of Rocks 2pm, Exmoor and Combe Martin 3.30pm, Ilfracombe 4pm. All timings are approximate.

For 10 days in September, one of Devon’s prettiest fishing villages becomes an enormous book club.

This year’s Appledore Book Festival line-up is as strong as ever, giving readers the chance to see, hear and meet their favourites.

Here’s our pick of the talks not already sold out:

Friday 18th to Sunday 27th September. Tickets: £8 to £28

Most of us have picked blackberries but look more closely in September and there are elderberries, sloes, haws, rosehips and crab apples free for the taking.

Foraging expert Trudy Turrell leads a day-long autumn forage session at Carswell Farm in South Devon next month.

She’ll teach you how to identify what’s safe to eat and ways of cooking and preserving.

As part of the Bountiful Berries experience, enjoy a “farm and forage fusion feast” included in the price.

10am to 3.30pm, Saturday 12th September, Carswell Farm, Holbeton, near Ivybridge. Tickets: £45

Is £100 a fair price to see a genuine rock legend on your doorstep?

Not in these days of high living costs, you say.

jooles and emma chose £75: “Depends on the show. I would pay more but times are tight.”

teena said £75: “Add on to that transport, food, maybe overnight stay and it becomes expensive.”

bsibs chose £50: “To be fair, I've seen everybody I'd want to see. Would rather see local bands now.”

Mention “Uncle Tom Cobley and all” and everyone knows you’re talking about Widecombe Fair, and the old Devon folk song about an overloaded grey mare.

Every year the tiny Dartmoor village fills with horses, vintage tractors, craftspeople, competitors and several thousand visitors.

THIS YEAR: Shire horses, Dartmoor Hill ponies, terrier racing, lumberjack championships, vintage machinery, Morris dancers, fly-fishing demos, bale-tossing, tug-of-war and the Uncle Tom Cobley downhill race.

See the schedule here

Cattle and sheep classes have been cancelled due to bluetongue disease.

9am until late, Tuesday 8th September, Widecombe. Tickets £12 in advance (before 5th Sept), £15 on the day.

FEATURED: 🦀 A 2-night weekend cottage stay near Salcombe for up to 10 people worth £1,225 (no closing date given)

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

NEW! 🍷 A 2-night stay for 2 with breakfast both days and a tasting menu dining experience at the Royal Hotel, Bideford (28th Aug)

🌊 A spa day by the sea including hot stone massage, facial, pool, sauna and steam room at Shaldon, South Devon. EX and TQ postcodes only. (31st Aug)

🍓 A bumper cream tea and BBQ chutney bundle (31st Aug)

🍺 A 24-can Powderkeg beer bundle and a pint glass (1st Sep)

NEW! 👑 An ultimate foodie North Devon escape at the Royal Hotel, Bideford with dinner and breakfast for 2 nights. (no closing date given)

Want more competitions? Click here

Did you win something? Let me know

🎤 Sir Van the Man in Devon

🧭 Six Devon Adventures

🎵 Live at the Amphitheatre

🌺 Private Devon Gardens open in August

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

NEXT ISSUE Bideford Water Festival

Andy, Esme and Lara