“Stand back!” came the call, as everyone jostled for the best view.

The anticipation built as the artilleryman cleared the barrel, packed the charge, wadding and “cannonball”, and his assistant blew the whistle.

We put our hands over our ears, then came the “flash in the pan” as the powder ignited and fire spurted from the barrel with a loud crack.

With a touch of comedy, a rolled up piece of corrugated cardboard that was pretending to be the cannonball landed smouldering, 20 yards away.

It was a perfect finale for a fun and fascinating 2-hour tour of Crownhill Fort in Plymouth, probably the best preserved Victorian fortress in the country. And it only cost £5.

If you like military history, tunnels and big guns, including the rare Moncrieff Disappearing Gun which will be fired this summer, watch the website for dates. Tickets sell fast.

P.S. I need your opinion. Would you help shape the future of Go Devon! by completing a quick survey? It takes less than 2 minutes, and you get a chance to win a £25 Amazon Gift Card. Click here to take part.

P.P.S. Many thanks to those of you who have already shared your views. I’ll be providing a summary here next month.

Devon’s hilltop horse races are back

Devon is blessed with quality racecourses at Exeter and Newton Abbot, but you can also watch horse racing at point to point meetings.

These are community events for amateur and hunting riders, with betting, trade and food stands and a bar. The event is supported by the Dartmoor Hunt. More details.

WHERE: The next Devon meetings are at Flete Park near Ivybridge, a demanding and hilly course with wonderful scenery.

11am to 3pm on Saturday 19th April and Saturday 3rd May. First races at 1pm.

Entry at the gate: £15.

Smugglers’ caves and padded seats - adventure without the aches

llfracombe Sea Safari’s powerful boats are safe and stable, which means you’re less likely to be seasick, and you’ll enjoy padded seats for extra comfort.

Choose from a 1.5 hour sunset safari to the seals and lighthouse (a nice end to the day) a 2 hour dolphin safari, or a 2.5 hour version taking in smugglers’ caves.

Or if you’re looking for more sights there’s a trip to Watermouth Castle, Combe Martin Bay, Greater Hangman Hill and The Valley of Rocks, Lynton.

Prices from £24.75 adult and £17.50 child. Dogs welcome. Book here.

What happens on Dartmoor at 5am…

At first all you can see are their fairy lights twinkling in the darkness.

Then as the sun rises, members of the Dartmoor Border Morris emerge in all their glory with feathers, ribbons and face paint to celebrate May Day.

It all takes place in a car park in the middle of the moor with accordians, fiddles and wooden sticks as the sun rises over South Hessary Tor.

The dancing welcomes in the summer and brings good luck to communities, it’s fun to watch and you can join in if you want.

Get there before sunrise, which is 5.51am on Thursday 1st May. The car park is below Leeden Tor on the B3212 Yelverton to Princetown Road.

Locals call this free festival “The Janner Glastonbury”

Mad Dog Mcrea, the Ukrainian Singers of Plymouth and Hot Club of Stonehouse are among the 25 diverse acts playing at the community driven Freedom Fields Festival in Plymouth next month.

Known jovially as “The Janner Festival”, the free event celebrates local culture, music and crafts in the historic park with views over the Sound. More here.

It’s a fun weekend in a relaxed family atmosphere with food and drink on tap and run entirely by volunteers. £3 suggested donation.

11am to 7pm Saturday 24th and 11am to 7pm Sunday 25th May.

Devon Curiosities #54: High Willhays, Okehampton

One of those “must-bag” peaks for Dartmoor walkers, High Willhays is the highest point in Southern England.

With its close neighbour Yes Tor both over 610m (2,000 ft) together they form what’s called “the roof of Devon”.

NAMES: Something of a talking point, the peak has been called High Willes, Hight Wyll, High Willows. For some reason my boys used to snigger every time it was mentioned.

LOCATION: On the North West edge of Dartmoor, south of Okehampton. Park in Meldon Reservoir car park and please before you set off check for British Army live firing, when access is closed.

WHAT ELSE IS ON?

🌊 North Devon 

View 56 more North Devon events in 2025

🐬 South Devon

Check out 91 more South Devon events in 2025

🏆️ Get lucky! Win Devon leisure prizes

FEATURED: 🎸 2 tickets on a night of your choice at The Ultimate Live Tribute Experience including Fleetwood Shack and Pure Magic (Queen) at Westpoint Exeter (Closes tomorrow, 18th Apr)

 🌸 A family ticket with picnic lunch at RHS Garden Rosemoor (21st Apr)

NEW!  🚢 A family South Devon cruise to Dawlish or the Brixham Pirate Festival with Exmouth-based Stuart Line Cruises (22nd Apr)

🥢 A Wagamama Exeter £50 voucher and a cookbook (22nd Apr)

 🏊‍♀️ A wild swimming walk for 3 people (experienced or beginners) in Plymouth or Dartmoor worth £135 (27th Apr)

🐏 A 3-night stay in a Dittisham Hideaway shepherd’s hut for 2 adults, including a welcome hamper and logs for the woodburner and hot tub (30th Apr)

🎙️ 2 tickets to all 3 music events at Plymouth Argyle in May, including Kaiser Chiefs + Jake Bugg and the Alive and Relive concerts (30th Apr)

🛏️ 1 night B & B for 2 during May at Future Inn, Plymouth (30th Apr)

🌳 A 2 night stay for two people in a refurbished former farmhouse in a semi-rural location in North Devon (No closing date given)

🍸️ An espresso Martini cocktail gift box from vodka maker Devon Cove (30th Apr)

😅 An Egyptian mud treatment spa day at the Dartmouth Hotel (Entries from EX and TQ postcodes only) (30th Apr)

A 2-night luxury stay at Gara Rock hotel on the South Devon coast (2nd May)

🐟️ A 1-night short break in Exeter including travel, B & B at the Rougemont Hotel, a £100 fish restaurant voucher, plus tours of Exeter Gin and the city’s underground passages (31st May)

NEW!  🐶 A 4-night break in a dog friendly cottage in East Devon for up to 4 people and 2 dogs (28th Sep)

❓️ Have you won a prize from a link you found here? Let us know and we’ll share the good news.

Support Go Devon!

If you enjoy and get value from Go Devon! and would like to support my work you can buy me a coffee here. (Not an actual coffee, a virtual one!) Contributions help keep the newsletter free to members.

New member? Catch up here

🎵 Before you book a Devon music festival, read this

🏔️ The Swiss Alps? Nope This Is In Devon

🎸 Five different festivals, 5 different vibes 

❓️ Sometimes the best things happen by chance

That’s all for this week.

(Don’t forget the survey!)

Thanks for being a member.

Andy, Esme, Lara and the Go Devon! team