The quality bookshop with no prices

Browse the quaint and well-organised Book-Cycle in West Street, Exeter, and pay what you like for up to 3 books a day.

More than 1 million titles have passed through the hands of the charity. Proceeds go to plant fruit trees at Devon schools and help build libraries overseas.

THE CHARITY’S MOTTO: “From tree to book and back again.”

The shop keeps going with volunteers, generous prices paid and “no wages, team outings or posh business lunches.”

The shelves are in defined sections and your editor was tempted by 3 paperbacks, paying £8 including a donation.

Still a chance to see War Horse in Plymouth

The classic stage production is on until this Saturday 7th December at the Theatre Royal and tickets are available.

The story of Joey, the Devon horse sold to the army and sent to war, has been turned into an innovative theatrical experience.

Based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo, made globally famous by Stephen Spielberg’s film, this version has life-sized puppet horses who breathe, gallop and charge on stage.

HOW DO THEY DO IT? Each horse is brought to life by 3 expert puppeteers. The set changes from a Devon field to a battlefield.

Tickets from £46.

Handmade gifts you won’t find anywhere else

Stuck for a present? Devon Artists Network has an online Xmas art fair showcasing 23 artists and their unique products.

Choose from original abstract landscapes, sustainable textiles, pottery, jewellery, stained glass, calendars and cards.

THEY SAY: “Buying Christmas presents from artists in Devon is a wonderful way to celebrate the creativity of the county and support the local economy.”

There’s something for most budgets – from a small, affordable print to a commission for someone special.

Meet the Devon Chef of the Year

Luke Heaver is head chef at the Salutation Inn, Topsham, near Exeter, well known for its seafood.

The flavours and balance of dishes incuding scallops, beef and seabass, as well as his kitchen leadership won praise from Food Drink Devon judges.

FROM THE MENU: Curried monkfish, langoustine & squid ink risotto £37. Stuffed skate wing, wild mushroom mousse, puy lentil £33.50. West country beef fillet, stuffed bone marrow, beef red wine sauce £39.50. See more.

Luke started as an apprentice at the Royal Clarence Hotel in Exeter and says his success was helped by having so many good local food producers.

FAVOURITE INGREDIENT? Wild mushrooms. “Over the years I have developed a bit of an obsession with fungi. They fascinate me!”

Volunteer to survey marine life

How about 2 hours of fun exploring the shoreline and finding marine life you didn’t know about?

Volunteer as a researcher for a Shoresearch Survey at Wembury Beach near Plymouth on Wednesday 15th January or Friday 14th February.

CONTEXT: You will be trained to identify and record marine life. The data collected helps monitor sea life and understand the effects of pollution, climate change and invasive species.

Devon Wildlife Trust says the event is aimed mainly at those with an interest in marine life identification and surveying, and involves walking over slippery rocks. Booking required.

🐎 Win an official Dartmoor National Park 2025 calendar

Take this 1-click survey for a chance to win 1 of 3 stunning calendars we are giving away before Christmas. Makes a great present! (Don’t forget to add your name and address so we can post it if you win).

Devon Curiosities #36: Haldon Belvedere

Subject of many Devon calendars and drone footage, this quirky triangular tower, also known as the Lawrence Tower or Castle, has 360 degree views over vast swathes of Devon for sunrise and sunset watching.

HISTORY: Built in 1788 by local landowner Sir Robert Palk. He was left £50,000 (about £9 million today) by his friend General Stringer Lawrence, and decided to splash out on something lasting.

The tower was a WW2 observation post but fell into disrepair after the 1960s and was restored in 1996 and 2016.

NAME: A belvedere is a building deliberately built to take advantage of a view and comes from the Italian word belvidere, meaning beautiful view.

WANT TO STAY? Equipped for romantic getaways with a spiral staircase and penthouse apartment for 2 people, 3 nights self-catering costs around £350, including access to the roof.

WHAT ELSE IS ON

🌊 North Devon

DECEMBER

Fri 6th

CRAFT | 🎨 Festive garland block printing workshop | The Resurgence Centre, Hartland | Tickets £25

COMMUNITY | 👫 Bideford Town Band Annual Christmas Concert | Bideford Baptist Church, Bideford | Adult tickets £10, children £4

Sun 8th

CHARITY | 🚤 Christmas Lights in aid of the RNLI | Clovelly Harbour, Clovelly | £10 per car

MUSIC | 🌲 Christmas Carols with the Barnstaple Ladies Choir | Arlington Court, Barnstaple | Normal admission fees apply

Fri 13th

FOLK MUSIC | 🎸 Mad Dog Mcrea | JCT27, Barnstaple | Tickets £23.10

Fri 13th and Fri 20th

CHEERS | 🥂 Festive Cocktail Masterclass | The Mole Resort, Umberleigh | Tickets £35

Sat 14th

CHARITY | 🏍️ Santas on a Bike - In aid of the children’s hospice Little Bridge House | Log Cabin Diner, South Molton | Donations appreciated

Sun 15th

BALLET | 🩰 Live screening of the Royal Ballet’s Cinderella | The Landmark Theatre, Ilfracombe | Tickets from £14

JANUARY

Sat 18th

TALK | 🗣️ Jason Fox: Life at the Limit | Queen’s Theatre, Barnstaple | Tickets from £34

Fri 31st

COMEDY | 🤣 Jack Dee, Small World | Queens Theatre Barnstaple, Boutport Street Tickets from £34.

🐬 South Devon

DECEMBER

Thu 5th to Tue 31st

FESTIVITIES | 💡 Christmas at the Castle | Powderham Castle, Kenton | Adult tickets £14.95, U18s £8.95

Fri 6th

CHRISTMAS | ⭐️ Dickensian Evening | Tavistock Town Hall, Tavistock | Free

Sat 7th and Sun 8th

FAIR | 🎁 The Great Hall Craft Fair | Dartington Trust, Totnes | Free

Fri 13th

RHYTHM & BLUES | 🥁 Jools Holland | Plymouth Pavilions, Plymouth | Tickets from £40.70

Fri 20th

TRAIN RIDE | 🚂 The Polar Express | South Devon Railway, Buckfastleigh | Tickets from £48.90

Sat 21st

NATURE | 🌒 Winter Solstice Walk | Buckland Abbey, Yelverton | Tickets £12

DRINKS | 🥃 Dartmoor Whiskey Tasting Experience | Dartmoor Whiskey Distillery, Bovey Tracey | Other dates available in December and January | Tickets £30

Sun 22nd

WATERSPORTS | 🌊 Social Paddleboarding | Royal William Yard, Plymouth | Other dates available in December | Tickets £20

JANUARY

Thu 16th to Sat 18th

LOCAL PRODUCE | 🍺 Exeter Festival of Beer | Exeter Corn Exchange, Exeter | Tickets £12

Sat 25th

CHALLENGE | 🏃‍♀️ South Devon Marathon | Beesands | 10km, half marathon and ultra marathon distances also available | Entry starting from £35

🏆️ Get lucky! Win Devon prizes

FEATURED 🍾 A 1-night stay with dinner for two, plus Prosecco on arrival, at one of the oldest pubs in South Hams (28th Feb)

NEW!  🐷 A midweek lunch for four with wine at a country restaurant just outside Exeter (no closing date given)

NEW!  ♨️ A 2-night stay in a 2-bedroom lodge with a private hot tub at a North Devon resort (no closing date given)

NEW!  ⛵️ A 3-night stay in a beautiful Salcombe property, a luxury gin hamper, and a stunning vase worth £145 (6th Dec)

🛏️ A 2-night stay at the Gara Rock boutique South Devon coastal hotel (7th Dec)

NEW!  🌳 A 2-night stay for two at Nymetwood Treehouses, near Crediton, worth £500 (15th Dec)

🐎 A 1 night stay for 2 in a deluxe garden room at a Dartmoor hotel with a 3-course meal and breakfast (15th Dec)

NEW!  😃 A wellness break for 4 at Lynmouth’s Tors Park, worth £900 (17th Dec)

🌊 A 2-night holiday cottage stay at Cary Arms & Spa for you and your family (18th Dec)

🏰 A 2-night festive stay for 2 at Boringdon Hall Hotel, Plymouth including breakfast and free entry to the spa (18th Dec)

🏨 2 nights in the Agatha Christie Suite at the Grand Hotel, Torquay, including a classic afternoon tea and spa treatment (24th Dec)

NEW!  🍬 A tasting collection of award winning Devon fudge (31st Dec)

⛵️ 3 nights away for 2 people in Sidmouth and Salcombe with breakfasts and 1 dinner plus £1,000 spending money (28th Feb)

That’s all for this week, but…

Why not catch up on recent newsletters?

🎭️ Must see Devon shows in 2025 (1)

 🎭️ Must see Devon shows in 2025 (2)

🚂 The train of lights

🌳 Treehouse with a bath and cinema 

With Devon love,

Andy, Esme, Lara and the Go Devon! team