☀️ We’re excited to bring you a new feature - a selection of Devon competitions curated from the web. You can win a £2m house!

See the new section below and good luck with your entries!

Want an event listed or have a suggestion? Send details here

Want to advertise? Tell us what you’re looking for.

Swim with blue sharks (if you dare)

Coming face to face with an ocean predator might not be everyone’s idea of a relaxing day out, but we have to admit it looks exciting (video).

This video was taken 20 miles offshore on a trip with Plymouth Marine Safari who offer blue shark snorkelling.

Finding the sharks can’t be guaranteed of course but this group of snorkellers was in the water for an hour and a half watching 3 or 4 sharks circle around.

Plymouth Marine Safari is a small boat tour operator with knowledgable skippers, offering wildlife and coastal trips, sunset cruises and private boat hire.

Thanks to Sara Harris for the story.

Be part of the English Riviera Walking Festival 23-29 September

Opinions vary, but we say there’s no walking coastline more scenic than the English Riviera.

If you’re new to walking, or want to try something more adventurous, the experienced guides of the annual regional walking festival are ideal to take you on picturesque journeys.

Choose from a short stroll around medieval gardens to more strenuous hikes along the South West Coast Path, either guided or unguided.

Make a weekend of it and stay in walker-friendly accommodation. There are a rich variety of more than 40 walks in the festival programme, where you can book guided walks or get new route ideas.

Among the top 10 walks are Torre Abbey Sands to Cockington, Brixham Harbour to Berry Head, The Agatha Christie Mile, and Ansteys Cove Circular.

Music meets nature at the scenic Woodpecker Weekender in Ilfracombe

This is the festival where music, nature and sustainability unite say the Woodpecker Weekender organisers.

Literally in the spotlight is the solar powered stage showcasing the future of sustainable entertainment.

There are workshops that focus on eco-friendly practices and sustainable living.

A diverse lineup of talented bands and DJs playing from morning till midnight is supplied by Planet of Sound, promising something for everyone.

Devon Rave Massive hosts the dance tent with takeovers from sound systems and promoters from all over the South West delivering pulsating beats.

Parking, camping and showers are free.

Friday 29 and Saturday 30 September. The Woodpecker Bar & Kitchen, opposite Fox Hunters Inn, Ilfracombe EX34 8NU.

Tickets £33.22 day, £60.29 weekend.

Grab a vintage bargain at the Exeter Vintage Kilo Sale, Sunday 17 September

Never been to a kilo sale? Here’s how it works.

Organisers bring 9 tonnes of handpicked vintage and pre-owned clothes for you to rummage through.

There’s pick and mix men’s and women’s items from the 1960s onwards, including all the brands.

As people buy, stock gets replenished, so the rails should be always full, whatever time you arrive.

Gather what you want and pay £20 per kilo of clothing. Things like heavy coats or anything that weighs more than 1kg are capped at £20.

Early bird tickets £3, or pay £2 on the door.

Exeter Corn Exchange, Market Street, Exeter EX1 1BW

Pamper yourself with film-going plushness at the new Everyman Cinema Plymouth

There’s cinema…and there’s Everyman cinema.

The films may be the same but The Vue and Odeon ain’t got nothing on the comfy seats, plush furnishings and leg-room, not to mention the cocktails.

Everyman’s latest branch has opened at the Royal William Yard in Plymouth (the first in the South West) for those cinema-goers seeking pampering with their viewings.

New films get announced on Monday evenings. Next week’s choices include Barbie, Oppenheimer, and My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3.

Each of the cinema spaces is also available for private hire 7 days a week, either for a party film viewing or corporate event. There’s a membership scheme too.

Get ready to be hit by The Wall of Floyd

It might come as a shock to know it was 50 years ago that Pink Floyd released Dark Side of the Moon.

If you can remember the album, tribute band Wall of Floyd will whisk you back to that time by way of celebration, with their rendition of the progressive rock band’s greatest hits.

The band use digital technology and a new light show to enhance Floyd’s back 15-album catalogue including The Wall, Wish You Were Here, and The Endless River.

The Dark Side of the Moon tour comes to Paignton Palace Theatre, Paignton for one night on Tuesday 19 September.

Paignton Palace Theatre, Palace Avenue TQ3 3HF. Tickets from £24.

New! Devon competitions

🏡Win this beautiful Devon house worth £2m.

🛏 Get a free dinner, bed and breakfast in this top Torquay hotel.

🍛 Win a meal for 2 at a new organic restaurant.

🐎 Stay at a historic Dartmoor hotel free.

📚 Free author signed copies of award-winning books.

Terms and conditions apply, as always.

Good luck!

Listings

🌊 North Devon

SEPTEMBER

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 person.

Sat 9th to Sat 16th

LITERATURE | 📖 Okebookfest 2023 celebrates all things books, with guest authors, crafts and creative writing workshops | Okehampton Library, 4 North Street, Okehampton EX20 1AR | Tickets from £8.30.

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

Thu 21st

SCIENCE TALK | 🪲 Unnatural Selection. Invertebrates and evolution with Stephen Eddy and Katrina von Grouw | Quince Honey Farm, South Molton EX36 3RD | Adult tickets £5, student £4.

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 | See 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 | Tickets £60.

Mon 25th

ENTERTAINMENT | 💃 Magic Dance Tour. Spend an evening with Strictly Come Dancing stars Ian Waite and Vincent Simone | Queens Theatre, Barnstaple EX31 1SY | Tickets from £30.

Fri 29th

MUSIC | 🎙️ The Ultimate Queen Tribute Band celebrates the 50th anniversary of Queen’s debut album | Queen’s Theatre, Barnstaple EX31 1SY | Tickets from £23.50.

OCTOBER

Fri 13th

MUSIC | 🎶 Proust’s Salon: Le Concert Retrouve | Enjoy an evening of classical music, with high tea and opportunity to explore the beautiful gardens of Castle Hill | Castle Hill Gardens, Filleigh, Barnstaple EX32 0RQ | Tickets £95.

Fri 13th to Sun 29th

ASTRONOMY | ⭐️ Exmoor Dark Skies Festival | A two week celebration of the night sky, with dusk wildlife safaris, planetarium and astrophysics lectures | Multiple events on Exmoor | Details and prices here.

Sun 15th

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

Wed 18th

THEATRE | 🩰 Immerse yourself in the magical world of the Wizard of Oz with a ballet adaptation of the classic story | Queens Theatre, Barnstaple EX31 1SY | Tickets from £22.

Sat 21st

SCIENCE | 🌳 To celebrate Apple Day, Sciencedipity hosts interactive experiments to learn about Issac Newton’s theory of gravity | Suitable for children age 4-7 | Barnstable Library, Tuly Street, Barnstaple EX31 1EL | £5 per ticket.

Sat 21st to Tuesday 31st 

HALLOWEEN | 🎃 Be a student for the day at the School for Witches and Wizards | Learn to cast spells, brew potions and have fun on some halloween rides | The Milky Way Adventure Park, Bideford EX39 5RY | Tickets £16.95 for children 3 years and up.

Sun 22nd

CRAFT FAIR | 🎨 Clovelly hosts its very own Apple Day Craft fair | Enjoy a selection of apple ciders, witness an apple press in action and get involved in apple themed craft and activities | Visitor Centre, Clovelly, Bideford EX39 5TA.

🐬 South Devon

SEPTEMBER

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 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.

Sat 9th to Sun 10th

RENOVATION FAIR | 🏠 Looking to renovate your property? Visit Build It Live Southwest to hear trade experts, join workshops and meet suppliers | Westpoint Arena, Clyst St.Mary, Exeter EX5 1DJ | Tickets from £12.

Sun 10th

CAR SHOW | 🛻 Brixham Classic Car and Motorcycle Show | Enjoy a day celebrating vintage cars and motorcycles | 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 Close, Exeter EX1 1EZ | Free.

Sat 16th

MUSIC | 🎙️ Alfie Boe performs the greatest hits from musical theatre | Plymouth Pavillions, Plymouth PL1 3LF | Tickets from £40.70.

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.

Fri 22nd

COMEDY | 🎙️ Russell Brand’s stand up show: Bipolarisation | Plymouth Pavilions, Plymouth PL1 3LF | Tickets from £40.70.

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.

Sat 7th to Sun 8th

FOOD FESTIVAL | 🌯 Powderham Food Festival presents the county’s finest food and drink sellers | Entertainment, chilli competitions and live workshops | Powderham Estate, Exeter EX6 8JQ | Free, car park £8.

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.

Fri 27th

CRAFT | 🌸 Create a beautiful and spooktacular Halloween wreath to decorate your front door for trick or treaters with Emma’s Flowers | Woolwell Centre, Plymouth PL6 7TR | Tickets £45.00 per person.

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.