Last week I asked where you're heading for your main holiday this year - the results show that staycations dominate.

Half of you are holidaying in the UK, split between Devon (26%) and elsewhere in the UK (24%). Abroad wasn't far behind (29%).

The remaining 21% aren't taking a main holiday or havn’t decided yet. Being in Devon is enough of one, according to several of you!

Thanks to everyone who voted and shared their plans!

Yours in Devon,

P.S. Here’s a last minute idea for tomorrow night (Friday 24th). Levowan Chamber Choir’s free Fields of Gold Concert is on at Stoke Damerel Church, Plymouth. Listen to chorale performances of Purcell and Sting. Tickets

Summer evenings don't get much better than a sunset boat trip. This one raises money for charity too.

Rock the Torridge takes over the MS Oldenburg from Bideford Quay for 2.5 hours of beautiful views, rock music and drinks.

Providing the music is Beckon the Wyrd, "Nordic-inspired high octane rock, with a wyrd twist".

The local causes to benefit are community music workshop provider Rootnotes and Bideford Baptist Pre-School.

Boarding 6pm, Friday 31st July 2026. Tickets: £20

The inaugural Torbay Literary Festival starts on 10th August, hosting a wide range of authors and their latest works.

Among them are actor Dame Harriet Walter, poet Roger McGough, comedians Christopher Biggins and Su Pollard, plus biographers Hunter Davies, Craig Brown and A.N. Wilson.

Former MP and author Ann Widdecombe was due to appear. Festival organisers have expressed their sadness following her tragic death earlier this month.

See the full line-up

Most talks are seated, ticketed events. There are several free or lower-cost sessions.

Monday 10th to Sunday 16th August, Palace Theatre, Paignton. Tickets

Most of us know the Calendar Girls story: bored Women’s Institute members spice things up by posing nude for a calendar.

This amateur stage version playing in Plymouth and Tavistock highlights themes of grief, ageing, friendship and kindness and has particular meaning for members of the Teylu Theatre Company.

The shows are raising money for the Plymouth Radiotherapy Development Fund. Three cast members have received cancer treatment at Derriford Hospital.

The backstory brings this amateur production even closer to home.

7.30pm Saturday 1st August, Devonport Playhouse, Plymouth. Tickets: £13.55

7.30pm Friday 7th August, Tavistock Town Hall. Tickets: £16.26

The Ecstatic Dance Summer Retreat takes place at Embercombe, a 50-acre eco centre near Exeter, at the end of the month.

It’s 4 days of free-form dancing without alcohol or phones, plus voice workshops, sound healing, contact improvisation, a cacao ceremony and dipping in a lake if you want to.

3 nights’ accommodation and 9 organic vegan meals are included.

A tent or campervan is £550, and yurts are £625 to £850. No dogs or children.

4.30pm, Friday 28th to 3pm Monday 31st August, Embercombe, Higher Ashton. Book

Wood-fired sauna cabins are popping up on riverbanks and beaches, bringing a Scandinavian vibe to Devon.

In the South, Wilder Sauna runs riverside sessions at Dartmeet and Chagford. 50-minute communal slots are £15.

Down on the coast, Wembury Wild Sauna offers a hand-crafted horse box sauna in nearby Churchwood Valley, with public and private sessions and sometimes yoga.

In the North, Secret Sauna is Exmoor and Woolacombe's mobile barrel sauna, rotating between Hele Bay, Barricane Beach, Marine Drive and Little Comfort Farm. A 10-session pass costs £120 (£12 a go), valid for 3 months.

North Devon Wake Park near Clovelly offers its wood-fired sauna for £12 per person for an hour.

Where are you taking your main holiday this year?

Laura chose Devon and said: “Our main holiday was in April this year, discovering the wonderful area around Dartmouth. ”

Sharon selected elsewhere in the UK and commented: “Went to Isle of Wight, annual tradition with friends. Don’t need a further holiday because I live in Devon.”

Jooles is not taking a main holiday: “Why would I when I live in such a beautiful area!”

700 years after it started, the annual tradition of Honiton folk throwing pennies into the street continues as strongly as ever.

Originally wealthy residents threw hot coins to the poor, apparently taking sadistic pleasure in watching them burn their fingers.

These days only gently warmed coins are thrown, mainly for school children.

Honiton Hot Pennies Day commences when a garlanded pole topped with a giant glove is raised.

In a throwback to an ancient amnesty to debtors, the town crier proclaims that "no man may be arrested so long as the glove is up."

Then the first pennies are thrown from the balcony above the Old Pannier Market, and from several pubs.

12pm, Tuesday 28th July. Details and history

Make a day out of it with a visit to the Thelma Hulbert Gallery, currently celebrating 30 years of the Double Elephant Print Workshop with an exhibition until Saturday 29th August.

FEATURED: 🛖 A free night away for 2 at Little Miller Skali off grid retreat near Holsworthy, North Devon, with private hot tub, fire pit and a king-sized bed. (26th Jul)

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

🐻 A 3-night stay for up to 4 people in at Pooh Cottage Holiday Park, Budleigh Salterton (31st Jul)

🍫 A Roly's fudge tasting gift box worth £40 (31st Jul)

🎫 A £600 voucher to spend at farm-to-table retreat Glebe House near Colyton (2nd Aug)

NEW! 🐮 A weekend North Devon farm stay for 6 people and 2 dogs worth £850 (9th Sep)

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

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

NEW! 🌳 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

🦇 Brutus, Bandamonium and Bats

👨‍🎤 Men singing songs, some of them funny

🤕 Bideford’s festival of crashes

🌺 Private Devon gardens open in July

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

NEXT ISSUE Private Devon gardens open in August

Andy, Esme and Lara