Hello Devon Luvvers!

Love dogs? You’ll love Woofstock in June.

Love gardens? We’ve got 2 great ideas for seeing fabulous floral colour.

Love a laugh? You must watch the video of the Bideford Soapbox Derby. I’ve never seen such fun on 4 wheels.

And remember, you’ve still got time to win free tickets to the Exeter Foodies Festival in June.

Don’t be stuck for things to do in Devon. Just open Go Devon! every Thursday to find great ideas all in one place!

“A great mix of enticing activities and events”

Neil Bunting, Epsom

We hope you enjoy this edition.

Which bits do you like the most? And which bits do you skip?

All feedback is good, and we’d love to get yours. See the bottom of this email for a quick way to tell us.

And Away They Go On The Way Out Wacky Races! (North Devon Version)

Some whizzed and flew down, others crashed on wipe out corner and a few fell to bits over the boneshaker ramp, but every soapbox was a masterpiece of imagination and skill.

That was last year’s laugh a minute Bideford Soap Box Derby when 43 soapboxes made their way down the track (video) in an event worthy of Penelope Pitstop, Dick Dastardly and the Anthill Mob.

On Father’s Day, Sunday 18th June, you can see how this year’s entries fare on the tricky descent with even more peril in the form of a see-saw ramp.

The charity event is free (please donate) and includes street food, bar, stalls from around Devon and children’s rides.

Starts at 12pm but get there early to get a good spot.

Bideford Quay, High Street and Grenville Street are closed from 6am to 9pm.

Enter Your Hound In The “Ultimutt” Dog Show, Powderham Castle 16th To 18th June

Does your doggie give you that loving look?

You should enter them in the Appealing Eyes category at Woofstock, the festival dedicated to everything dog.

Other fun sections open to all dogs include Best “Bad Fur” Day, Cutest Puppy (under 9 months), Best Rescue and Golden Oldie (over 8s).

For something wacky try the Pawcasso Tent (geddit?!) where you can paint with your pooch. Buy a canvas and create paw print art.

There’s live tribute act music, barktastic (sorry about that one) displays and demonstrations (agility, obedience), plus a variety of doggie-related stalls (it’s treat time!).

And, recognising that cost of living crisis thing, the humans can buy what the organisers say is reasonably priced food and drink. Sounds paws-itively pawsome! (That’s the last one, I promise).

Day, weekend, family and camping tickets available. Powderham Castle, Powderham Estate, Exeter EX6 8JQ

Witness Creation And Destruction Of Sacred Art: Join Tashi Lhunpo Tibetan Monks As They Craft A Mandala

Don’t be scared, they’re actually calm and peaceful. In case you’re wondering, these are Tashi Lhunpo monks from Tibet, and they’re touring in Devon.

You can meet them, listen to monastic music and learn about their costumes as part of a Tibetan Discovery event at RHS Garden Rosemoor this weekend.

Watch as they construct a mandala sand symbol over three days with a special blessing on Sunday afternoon before it is destroyed in a moving ceremony.

Make sure to take in Rosemoor’s more than 2,000 varities of roses, as well as the arboretum, herb, fruit and vegetable gardens.

Friday 26th to Sunday 28th May, 10am–4pm. Tickets. Adults £13.85. Child £6.95. RHS members free.

RHS Garden Rosemoor, Torrington, Devon EX38 8PH

VIsit Stunning Wildside For An “Exciting, Magnificent” Display Of Summer Colour

How lucky we are in Devon to have one of the country’s most unusual and stunning gardens.

Built from a blank 4-acre canvas 20 years ago and today described as “exciting, magnificent” by Gardens Illustrated, I’m talking about Wildside at Buckland Monachorum outside Plymouth.

An extended programme of opening dates has been announced for 2023 giving more of you a chance to be wowed by the unique and rugged planting. 

The next opportunity is this weekend. You’ll see the glorious azaleas, Japanese maples, wisterias, iris, and candelabra primulas.

In mid June look forward to the displays of massed perennials and especially the abundant dieramas.

Wildside is open on the following dates. Sunday 28th to Wednesday 31st May, June 16th to 18th and 27th to 30th. Mid-summer and autumn dates here.

Adult £10, Child £5. Pay on entry, no booking. Wildside, Green Lane, Buckland Monachorum, Devon PL20 7NP

Win FREE tickets To The Exeter Foodies Festival On 16th To 18th June

There’s a great weekend of food and tunes in prospect, but the best bit is that we are giving away 5 sets of family tickets each worth £82!

See top chef demonstrations, sample delicious Devon fare, and watch Britpop sensation Toploader and disco diva Sophie-Ellis Bexter live on stage.

The festival is at Escot Park, Ottery St May, Devon EX11 1LU. Learn more here. 

To enter the draw email me with the word FOODIE. Five winners will be chosen at random from the entries.

Winners will be notified by 6 June and can collect their passes on the day at the festival gate. It’s that easy!

If you know someone else who’d like a chance to win please share this with them.

They just have to sign up to Go Devon! to enter!

Understand How Honey Gets Made With A Thrilling Beekeeping Experience

Fancy keeping bees? Or maybe just learning more about the amazing honey-makers that are so important to our eco-system.

With a beekeeping experience you get hands-on, practical knowledge in the craft and enjoy a day in the North Devon countryside.

Ideal for an unusual day out or a gift for a friend or family member.

At Quince Honey Farm, get suited-up in protective clothing and have real experience of dealing with a hive of bees.

You’ll be taught how to look after a colony throughout the year with tips and advice for setting up your own.

After lunch in The Nectary Restaurant (included in price) it’s a visit to the apiary fields (where the bees work) and the chance to do some real beekeeping, under supervision.

Thursday 22nd and Saturday 24th June. £135 per person.

Quince Honey Farm, Aller Cross, South Molton EX36 3RD

Listings

North Devon

MAY

Sunday 28th

MOTORBIKE MEET | 🏍 Bideford Bike Show | Live music, stands and awards for the best bikes. 12pm to 5pm. The Quay, Bideford EX39 2HW.

Monday 29th

RUNNING | 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️ Buckland Brewer 10K in aid of North Devon Hospice | | 10am to 3pm. Coach and Horses, Orleigh Close, Buckland Brewer, Bideford EX39 5LU | Entries £15 - £17

JUNE

Thursday 1st to Sunday 4th

SURF & MUSIC | Wavelength Spring Classic | Surfing, music, food, camping and events | Woolacombe Down EX34 7HL

Friday 16th and Saturday 17th

FOOD & MUSIC | 🎉 Moorhayes Summer Festival | Live music, children's entertainment, food and beer tent | Moorhayes Community Centre Lea Road, Tiverton EX16 6SU. Tickets £4.50

South Devon

MAY

Thursday 25th to Monday 29th

LIVE MUSIC | 🎷 Sidmouth Jazz and Blues Festival | 40 jazz, blues, funk and soul acts at venues around the town | Headline performances ticketed, others free. Blackmore Gardens, Sidmouth EX10 8AN

Thursday 25th to Sunday 11th June*

OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE |🦖 Dinosaurs in the Park | Meet 40 realistic and life-sized dinosaurs | Central Park, Cottage Field, Plymouth PL2 3DG | Tickets from £7.20. Under 3s free! *Excluding 5th, 6th, 7th June.

Friday 26th to Sunday 28th

STEAM TRAINS | 🚂 Rails & Ales Weekend at the South Devon Railway | Take a steam driven trip from Totnes to Buckfastleigh with beer and cider at the halfway station. Tickets from £18 return.

Friday 26th to Monday 29th

BEACH SPORTS | 🏉 Exmouth Beach Rugby Festival | Expanded programme of tag rugby and netball tournaments for all levels with bar and live local bands | Exmouth Beach EX8 1BQ

Friday 26th to Sunday 28th

FOOD FESTIVAL | 🍓 Flavourfest Plymouth | Cookery theatre and nearly 70 local food stalls | Free | Plymouth City Centre PL1 1DH

Saturday 27th

SWIMMING | 🏊‍♀️Teignmouth Lido opens for the first time in two years after a major upgrade | Two hours in the heated outdoor 25m pool is £6 for adults and £4.20 for children | Eastcliff Walk, Teignmouth TQ14 8TA

JUNE

Thursday 1st

LIVE MUSIC | 🎸 | Voodoo Room - A Tribute to Hendrix, Clapton and Cream | Palace Theatre, Palace Avenue, Paignton TQ3 3HF | Tickets £20.59

Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th

AIR SHOW | 🛩 English Riviera Air Show | Red Arrows and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight | Paignton Seafront TQ4 6AW

MOTOR SHOW | 🚘 Plymouth Motor Show | 9am | Plymstock Oaks, Horsham Playing Fields, Wembury Road, Plymouth PL6 0DF

Wednesday 7th to Sunday 18th

THEATRE | 🎭 Charlie & The Chocolate Factory | Stage show combining memorable songs from the original 1970s film with new music | Theatre Royal, Plymouth | PL1 2TR | Tickets from £40.

Saturday 10th

LIVE MUSIC | 🎸 Plymstock Tribute Festival | Plymstock Albion Oaks, Wembury Road, Staddiscombe, Plymouth PL9 0DF | 2pm | Tickets Adult £26.40. Child U18 £11.

Wednesday 28th

OUTDOOR THEATRE | 🎭 Romeo & Juliet | The Chamberlain’s Men, all male cast | 7pm | The Private Garden, Dartington Hall, Totnes TQ9 6EL | Tickets Adult £20. Child £12.

Want your event listed? Email us.

More fun Devon-based activities for everyone next week.

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

Have fun!

🌊 Andy and the Go Devon! team

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