🍓 Hello Devon Luvvers!

We’re biased, obviously, but name us a better Devon harbour view than Plymouth Sound.

Dartmouth and Salcombe might win for rocky entrances, the bending coastline across Torbay is majestic and the bird’s eye view of Ilfracombe from the East is to be stared at.

But with a sweeping panorama, 3 lighthouses, an island, military, commercial and leisure boats creating a moving landscape , The Hoe on a sunny day takes some beating.

Just saying…..but what do you think?

And on that subject, what’s summer without a boat trip?

Beautiful sunshine, sparkling water, a cooling breeze and views of the one of the most stunning harbours in the world - what could be better?

You can’t come to Plymouth without enjoying the waters of The Sound. Well, I guess you can, but you’d be missing out.

Take a 1 hour daily harbour cruise along the city coastline and learn about the rich maritime history (adult £12, child 3-15 £7), or enjoy the relaxing Sundowner (£17.50, £11.50) with chilled music and drinks served at your table.

For longer waterborne indulgences consider a cruise to the idyllic Yealm River or across to the former fishing villages of Cawsand and Kingsand, or to Mount Edgecumbe.

Plymouth Boat Trips are one of the largest companies working from the Barbican, also offering private charters and fishing trips.

See classic motoring history on everything from 2 wheels to 10

The biggest classic vehicle event in the South West with more than 2,000 exhibits takes place in Exeter on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th July.

Running since 1975, the Historic Vehicle Gathering organised by the Crash Box & Classic Car Club brings together classic and vintage cars, motorcycles, commercial vehicles and tractors covering more than 100 years of motoring.

Enjoy live music, trade and automobilia stands, a craft tent and family entertainment including a dog show.

Tickets: Adult £13, U16 and carers free.

10am to 5pm. Powderham Castle Estate, Kenton EX6 8JG

Buy from talented artists and crafters at Exeter Crafts Festival

The cathedral green isn’t a bad place to spend a summer’s afternoon with friends and family exploring and indulging in something for the house.

The Exeter Crafts Festival aims to attract the South West’s most talented artists and makers and has made the event a local highlight for 40 years.

As well as art, ceramics, textiles, metalwork and jewellery, there’s free entertainment like face painting, vocalists, Morris dancers and a strolling jazz band.

Admission is free. More details.

Thursday 4th to Saturday 6th July.

Exeter Cathedral Yard EX1 1HS

Cirque: The Greatest Show. Where musical theatre meets circus

Combine everyone’s favourite West End and Broadway hits with spectacular circus acts and you have Cirque.

The show is on at Plymouth Pavilions for one matinee only on Sunday 22nd September at 2.30pm.

Stars of the West End combine with incredible circus performers including fire eaters, acrobats and dancers for a unique blend of family entertainment.

“Top-level singers, dancers and performers. I loved every minute of it” Sussex World

Tickets from £27.50

A day at Newton Abbot races: not as expensive as you might think

Not including what you blow on betting, a day out at this independent racecourse can work out remarkably good value, with entry from as little as £10, and U18s and carers going free.

Newton Abbott is known for its charm, the quality of its turf and for being impeccably turned out, and with weekday, weekend and evening jumps fixtures until October, offers an exciting outing for all ages.

Book tickets in advance for the biggest savings.

Newton Road, Kingsteignton TQ12 3AF

Devon Curiosities #9: The Daymark, Dartmouth

From the sea The Dartmouth Daymark is a welcome sight for sailors checking their course for the hard to see Dart Estuary.

Up close this navigational aid is far bigger than expected, 80ft high and a magnificent pile of limestone and slate with an unusual octagonal design.

Built in 1864, the Daymark is a Grade II listed tower, well worth a visit in itself but also for the coastal views from its commanding hilltop position.

Down towards the sea you can visit a former WW2 gun battery at Froward Point and take in views of the bird colonies and seals around The Mew Stone.

The Daymark can be accessed by foot along the South West Coast Path, or a short walk from Brownstone Car Park.

A useful National Trust 3-mile circular walk guide takes you to the Daymark.

Kingswear, Dartmouth TQ6 0EH

WHAT ELSE IS ON

🌊 North Devon 

JUNE

Sun 2nd

NATURE | 🚶‍♀️ South West Coast Path Walk | Barnstaple Train Station EX31 2AU | Adult tickets £20, child £10

RECYCLE | ♻️ South Molton Flea Market | South Molton Pannier Market EX36 3AB | Free entry

ENTERTAINMENT | 🎦 Pretty Woman - Outdoor Cinema Experience | Arlington Court, Barnstaple EX31 4LP | Tickets from £16.98

Thu 6th to Mon 10th

DARTS CONTEST | 🎯 The England Open Festival of Darts 2024 | Ilfracombe Holiday Park EX34 8PF | Tickets from £10

Sun 9th

COMMUNITY | 🥘 The Big Lunch - A street party in the heart of Ilfracombe | Fore Street EX34 9ED

Fri 14th to Mon 17th

RELAX | 🧘 Yoga and Surf Retreat | Freshwell Camping, Croyde EX33 1NU | £363.64 per person

Sat 22nd

SPORT | 🏝️ Island Beach Netball | Croyde Beach EX33 1NZ | Register a team here.

Thu 27th to Sun 30th

ENTERTAINMENT | 🎭 Barnstaple Fringe Theatrefest 2024 | View event locations, times and prices here.

JULY

Sat 27th

COUNTRY SHOW | 🐴 Mid Devon Show | Knighthayes, Chettiscombe, Tiverton EX16 7RG | Adult tickets £18, U15 free

Mon 29th 

COUNTRY SHOW | 🐮 Woolsery Show | Clovelly Court EX39 5SY | Adult tickets £10, U16s £4

🐬 South Devon

JUNE

Fri 7th to Sun 9th

FAIR | 🪡 Craft Festival | Mill Marsh Park, Bovey Tracey TQ13 9AL | Adult tickets £10, U18s free

Thu 13th to Sun 16th

MUSIC | 🎤 Summer Sessions | Plymouth Hoe PL1 2PJ | Tickets

Fri 14th to Sun 16th

FURRY FRIENDS | 🐶 Woofstock Festival 2024 | Powderham Castle, Exeter EX6 8JQ | Adult tickets £29.50, U16s £10

Thu 20th

MUSIC | 🎶 Bond by Candlelight: Music from the James Bond Movies | Exeter Cathedral EX1 1HS | Tickets starting from £22.38

Sat 22nd and Sun 23rd June

COUNTRY SHOW | 🐮Axe Vale Show | Trafalgar Way, Axminster EX13 5RJ | Adult tickets £12, child 5-16 £1 | Free parking

BACK IN TIME | 🐎 Jousting and Medieval Fayre | Powderham Castle, Exeter EX6 8JQ | Tickets £9.50

Sat 29th

MILITARY | 🇬🇧 Plymouth Armed Forces Day | Plymouth Hoe PL1 2NZ | Free

JULY

Fri 12th to Sun 14th

ENTERTAINMENT | 🎙️ Tunes on the Sands | Mill Lane, Stoke Flemming, Dartmouth TQ6 0QZ | Tickets from £32

Sun 21st 

CHALLENGE | 🏃‍♀️ Plymouth Pretty Muddy 5K 2024 | Help to raise money for Cancer Research UK | Central Park, Plymouth PL4 6NP | Register here.

Sun 28th

COUNTRY SHOW | 🐷 Totnes and District Show | Great Court Farm, Berry Pomeroy TQ9 6LE | Adult tickets £15, U16s £2.50

🏆️ Win Devon prizes

We find Devon prize competitions so you don’t have to.

Closing dates in brackets. Terms and conditions apply, see individual websites for details.

You could win:

🎠 1 of 3 family days out (2 adults, 2 children) to Devon’s top attractions at any time in 2024 (no closing date given)

🐺 A family ticket for 2 adults and 2 children to see unusual animals at Exmoor Zoo (no date given)

🍓 A luxury afternoon tea for 2 in a Totnes delicatessen (Today, 30th May)

🍷 A meal worth £100 at The Point, Exmouth (2nd Jun)

NEW!  🎉 A collection of Devon prizes: A £300 holiday voucher from Coast & Country Cottages, a £150 subscription from Luscombe Drinks, a £100 Rockfish restaurant voucher and cookbook, a family ticket to Devon's Top Attractions worth £100 (4th Jun)

🏖️ A 3-night Devon coastal stay for up to 4 people, worth £800 (9th Jun)

🐎 A 3-night pitch at an award-winning Dartmoor touring park (12th Jun)

NEW!  🛏️ A 2-night midweek break at The Ley Arms, worth £700 (16th Jun)

NEW!  🪶 A 3-night weekend stay or 4-night midweek stay at a Feather Down Farm in Devon for up to 6 people (25th Jun)

NEW!  🎉 1 of 3 holidays, free days out, a tram driving experience and an afternoon tea for two (30th Jun)

NEW!  🥓 A 2-night stay for two people including breakfast and dinner at the Rising Sun, Lynmouth (12th Jul)

Got a competition? Let us know

That’s all for this week, except…

With Devon love,

Andy, Esme, Lara and the Go Devon! team