😎 Hello Devon Lovers,

Answer me this question.

Where else can you watch sheepdogs and falcons, hear opera singers and West African storytellers, visit a secret island, and watch a film in a cave?

Oh…and 36 other interesting, varied and unusual things to do all in one county in the next few weeks.

You know the answer.

Enjoy!

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Shepherding and falconry skills on show at Woolacombe (aren’t the dogs the cutest…)

Meet the beautiful border collie team from Borough Farm, Woolacombe, and watch them at work on Wednesday nights until September 6th.

The dogs don’t just herd sheep, you’ll watch them round up ducks as well…

They are just half the evening’s entertainment.

There’s a falconry display (video) with harris hawks, kestrels, a Bengal eagle owl and little owl, all making an unforgettable country evening.

Adults £7.50, children £3.50, U5s free. Pay on entry. Well behaved dogs welcome. Fun starts at 6pm.

Borough Farm, Mortehoe, Woolacombe EX34 7HE

Bounce to the beat of the kora with Jally Kebbe Susso

Renowned for his high-energy shows, Jally Kebba Susso and his band are coming to get Totnes bouncing on Friday 1st September.

The kora is a West African cross between a harp and a guitar and this is a rare chance to see one of the world's best players perform live. Video.

The kora is the instrument of choice of the “griot”, a hereditary role that uses history, music and storytelling to steer a community and its leadership to a better future.

The Barrel House Ballroom, 59a High Street, Totnes TQ9 5PB Tickets £13.20.

Bats, camera, action! Ever watched a film in a prehistoric cave?

Yep, that’s a cinema screen in a cave.

We’re talking atmospheric settings at Kent’s Cavern, Torquay, which is running a Cave Cinema Film Festival until Friday 1st September.

In the past these caves have been home to Neanderthals and Ice Age animals like woolly mammoths, bears and lions.

You’ll be sitting wrapped up warm in a deck chair watching a film and chewing on a pizza.

You can catch Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Labyrinth and Jurassic Park. Full list (download). Tickets. £13.50.

Kent’s Cavern, Ilsham Road, Torquay TQ1 2JF

🎥 Watch an underground double Agatha Christie double bill on Sunday 10th September with back to back Murder on the Orient Express and Death on the Nile.

An evening of musical hits with master tenor Alfie Boe

Masterful tenor Alfred Giovanni Roncalli Boe (Alfie to you and me) is blasting out popular musical theatre hits for one night only at the Plymouth Pavilions.

Born in the Lancashire fishing village of Fleetwood, Alfie’s singing career exploded 20 years ago when he was cast in a Broadway revival of La Bohème.

He then led the cast of Les Misérables in the role of Jean Valjean in the West End and played the lead role in Finding Neverland on Broadway.

He’s never looked back and promises an evening of classic songs and fan favourites.

Saturday 16th September at 8pm. Tickets from £40.70.

Secret island opens doors to visitors

Ever wanted to visit a secret island? After years of closure, Drake’s Island in Plymouth Sound is open to visitors for guided tours.

The iconic island has served as an observatory, a prison, a defensive fort and an adventure centre and now an important wildlife habitat.

Take a ferry from Plymouth’s Barbican landing stage for the short trip to the island and the chance of seeing seals napping on the rocks.

Tours last about 2 hours during which you’ll learn about the island’s history, myths and legends as you walk the old paths, steps and tunnels.

Tickets | Adult £18. Child £7. Dog £3 | Separate ferry charge. Adults £7.50. Child £3.50

They’re not just for Christmas. How about a scary Halloween wreath? (Can you spot the spider?)

[PARTNER] Join in with the spirit of Halloween at a fun workshop, and make a spooky spider or bat wreath for your door.

All materials are provided, plus mulled wine, pumpkin pie and tea/coffee at a relaxing friendly workshop run by Emma’s Flowers in Plymouth.

Come along with a work colleague, bring your Mum or relative, or ask that friend that you've been meaning to catch up with. Spend a fun evening together!

Friday 27th October | Roborough Recreation Hall, New Road, Roborough, Plymouth PL6 7FJ | £45 | Book before the end of August to receive an early bird discount of £5. Email: [email protected]

Listings

🌊 North Devon

AUGUST

Thu 24th

CRAFT | 🎨 Flower Printing Workshop | Design and create your own floral print inspired by summer flowers | Braunton Countryside Centre, Braunton EX33 1AA | No booking required, £3 donation.

Fri 25th

LIVE MUSIC | 💽 Former Spandau Ballet star Martin Kemp presents a party night of 80s music | The BIG Sheep, Abbotsham, Bideford EX39 5AP | Adult and child tickets £22.

Fri 25th to Mon 28th

FESTIVAL | ⛺️ Tiny Gatherings | A little bohemian festival, with forest school, wellness activities and great food | Family and dog friendly | Broadbury, Okehampton EX20 3PG | Weekend tickets £100.38.

Sat 26th

PHOTOGRAPHY | 📷 Learn how to capture the beauty of the North Devon coastline with the experienced and qualified photographer Mark Stothard | Parish Church of St. Nectan, Hartland Stoke, Bideford EX39 6DU | £60.29 per person.

Sun 27th

BEACH CLEAN | 🌊 Help to protect the North Devon coastline by taking part in a clean up at Woolacombe Beach | Equipment provided | Mill Rock, Woolacombe EX34 7HL | Free.

Sun 27th to Mon 28th

BEER FESTIVAL | 🍻 The North Devon Beer Festival presents the best local beers, ales and food, with live entertainment | Barnstaple Pannier Market, Barnstaple EX31 1SY | Tickets on the door.

SEPTEMBER

Fri 1st to Sat 2nd

THEATRE | 🎭 The Pantaloons present Alice in Wonderland | Fall down the magical rabbit hole and immerse yourself in the eye catching performance | Fri 1st - 3pm RHS Rosemoor, Torrington EX38 8PH | Sat 2nd - 5pm Clovelly Court Gardens, Clovelly EX39 5SY | Tickets - Adults £15, U18s £11, U4s free.

Fri 1st to Sun 3rd

LIVE MUSIC | 🤘 Shebfest, north Devon’s largest music festival, with Razorlight and Liberty X | Allacott Farm, Shebbear, Beaworthy EX21 5TF. Day tickets - Adult £62, U18 £52.

Wed 6th

COUNTRY LIVING | 🌳 Sheepdog and falconry display | Enjoy an evening watching majestic birds of prey and working sheepdogs | Borough Farm, Mortehoe, Woolacombe EX34 7HE | Pay when you arrive | Adults £7.50, Child £3.50, U5s free.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES | 🌿 Wild Food Walk | Explore the dunes and meadows or Woolacombe whilst learning about foraging and bushcraft | Woolacombe Tourism Information Centre, The Esplanade, Woolacombe EX34 7DL | Tickets £16.96, children free.

Sat 9th

LIVE MUSIC | 💽 SkyBar presents Danny Howard, BBC Radio 1’s Dance Party Host | Down End, Croyde EX33 1QE | Tickets from £39.50 per.

Fri 15th

COMEDY | 🎙️ The Cedars Inn hosts a fun-filled comedy night with professional comedians | Cedars Inn, Barnstaple EX31 2HE | Tickets £12 per person.

Fri 15th to Sun 24th

LITERATURE | 📚 The Appledore Book Festival | Authors and speakers including Hugh Bonneville | North Devon Maritime Museum, Appledore EX39 1PT | Ticket prices vary depending on each event.

Sat 16th

THEATRE | 🎭 Rave On | A musical journey through Rock and Roll | The Palace Theatre, Palace Avenue, Paignton TQ3 3HF | 7.30pm to 10pm | Tickets 23.77

Fri 22nd to Sun 24th

SURF YOGA RETREAT | Surf South West, Croyde Bay, one of the gems of north Devon’s coast | Single person £380 per person. Two sharing £335.

Sat 23rd to Sun 24th

STEAM FAIR | 🚂 The Lynton and Barnstable Railway Autumn Gala | Visit to witness an operational steam engine train and classic cars | Woody Bay Station, Parracombe EX31 4RA |

Sun 24th

CRAFT | 🎨 Create your own unique woodblock print design under the guidance of North Devon printmaker Josie Grant | Studio KIND, Unit 3 Velator Way, Braunton EX33 2FB | £60.00 per person.

Fri 29th

MUSIC | 🎙️ The Ultimate Queen Tribute Band comes to Barnstable | A night celebrating the 50th anniversary of Queen’s debut album release | Queen’s Theatre, Barnstaple EX31 1SY | Tickets from £23.50.

OCTOBER

Sun 15th

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES | 🧗 The Mission Unbreakable commando challenge | Do you have what it takes to complete the 10km obstacle course? | North Molton Sports Ground EX36 3HG | Registration £45.

🐬 South Devon

AUGUST

Thu 24th to Sun 27th

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES | 🧗Gone Wild Festival, with Bear Grylls | Experience the thrill of abseiling and kayaking | Powderham Castle, Exeter EX6 8JQ | Weekend and day tickets.

Fri 25th

AIR SHOW | 🛩️ Sidmouth Air Show | Witness a Spitfire and Hurricane flypast plus the Red Arrows | Sidmouth Sea Front EX10 0NW | Free | Donations requested.

SEPTEMBER

Sat 2nd

CHARITY EVENT | ☀️ The Great Big Paddle Board Parade | World record paddleboarding attempt and fund-raiser for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) | Torbay | Standard tickets £15 per paddler.

MUSIC | 🎷 Chagford Music Day | Enjoy a day of live music across a host of venues in Chagford to raise money for the Proper Job Charity | The Square, Chagford TQ13 | Donations appreciated.

Sun 3rd

OPEN GARDEN | 🌳 Bowringsleigh, West Alvington, near Kingsbridge, in aid of St Luke’s Hospice | Donations.

CAR SHOW | 🚙 Lyneham Classic Car Show | Showcasing classic cars, with jazz music, food stalls and bouncy castle | Proceeds to Devon Air Ambulance | Lyneham House, Lyneham, Yealmpton, Plymouth PL8 2LG. | Entry £5. U16s free.

Wed 6th to Sun 10th

SCIENCE | 🌍 Climate Exhibition | Learn about our planet and its climate using virtual reality and scientific research | Exeter Science Centre, Maketank, Paris Street, Exeter EX1 2JB | No pre-booking required.

Fri 8th to Sun 10th

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES | 🏊‍♀️ Devon RuckRaft Retreat | A weekend retreat celebrating everything the countryside has to offer, with wild swimming, hiking and camping | Pilchard Inn, Burgh Island, Kingsbridge TQ7 4BG | £434 per person for the weekend.

Sat 9th

SWIM / RUN | 🏊‍♂️ 🏃‍♀️Rocky Horror Swim Run | Choice of distances. Long: 4 swims (2 km) and 3 runs (15 miles), medium: 3 swims (1.5 km) and 2 runs (12 miles), short: 2 swims (1 km) and 1 run (7 miles) l Start 1.30pm | Hope Cove, Galmpton TQ7 3EY | Solo, relay or pair tickets from £25.

MUSIC | 💽 The Mersey Beatles | “The best Beatles tribute band around” takes Paignton! | Palace Theatre, Paignton TQ3 3HF | Tickets from £25.89.

Sun 10th

CAR SHOW | 🛻 Brixham Classic Car and Motorcycle Show | Enjoy a day celebrating vintage cars and motorcycles with a drink in hand | Lupton House, Brixham TQ5 0LD | Free entry, donations to Lupton House appreciated.

Tue 12th

LITERATURE | 📖 Poetry Night | Read your favourite poetry and showcase your own poetry works with the theme “Beginnings and Endings” | Devon and Exeter Institution, 7 Cathedral Cl, Exeter EX1 1EZ | Free.

Sat 16th to Sun 17th

FISH FESTIVAL | 🐟 Seafest Plymouth | Fresh fish stalls, cookery theatre and childrens activities | The Barbican and Sutton Harbour, Plymouth PL1 2LR | Free.

Mon 18th

GEOLOGY | ⛏ Day Trip with Stuart Line Cruises. 6.5 hour seaborne tour of South Devon’s coastal geology | Exmouth | 10.30am to 5pm. £25 per person.

Sat 23rd

MUSIC | 💽 Swiftogeddon | A night celebrating the iconic popstar Taylor Swift, with extended mixes, fan favourites and deep cuts | 18s and over | Exeter Phoenix, Gandy Street, Exeter EX4 3LS | Tickets £11.02.

Sun 24th

RIVER RUN | 🐟 Salmon Run 50 mile ultra marathon, relay and 5K run along the River Exe | Ultra £30, Relay (4-8 people) £15, 5K £5. Booking. 

OCTOBER

Sat 7th

BARN DANCE | 🕺 The Legendary Hennock Barn Dance | A night of dancing, ceilidh music and enjoyment for all the family | Beechleigh Farm, Furzeleigh Lane, Bovey Tracey TQ13 9LU | Adult tickets £10, Youth (12-17) £4, U11s Free.

Sun 8th

CYCLE CHALLENGE | 🚴 Tour of the Moor around Dartmoor for all abilities in aid of St Luke’s Hospice | Harrowbeer Airfield, Yelverton PL20 6BU | Register.

Sun 15th

HIKING CHALLENGE | 🥾 Warrior Women Walk | Take part in a 10km walk around the beautiful Burrator reservoir and surrounding area in aid of the charity Trevi | Dogs permitted on leads | Registration £20, U10s £10.

Want your event listed? Email us.

That’s all for this week, but can I ask a favour?

We’ll keep finding the exciting, surprising, interesting and cool things to do.

You tell everyone who loves Devon about us.

Deal?

With love, cream and jam (in that order).

😎 Andy, Esme, Lara and the Go Devon! team

P.S. If you don't like what we’re doing, unsubscribe at any time. Seriously, no hard feelings.