I didn’t like half of what Roy “Chubby” Brown said at Exmouth Pavilion last Friday but I’m glad I went. The other half made me laugh.

The 80-year-old “blue” comedian filled the venue for his “No Offence Meant” tour and me and my brother Simon got to Exmouth early enough to enjoy fish and chips first.

This newsletter doesn’t do politics or culture wars, so I’m only going to say follow Chubby’s advice and don’t go to his show if you are easily offended.

He’s not slowing down, let alone stopping. He’s appearing in Torquay in August and is back in Exmouth August 2026.

P.S. FINAL CALL. At the risk of being a bore I’m asking for your help again. Would you complete a quick survey? It takes less than 2 minutes, and in return you get a chance to win a £25 Amazon Gift Card. Plus, I learn how to better serve your needs. It’s win win! Click here if you havn’t already.

Why is a man covered in leaves parading through Ilfracombe?

Wear something green to the annual Jack-in-the-Green event in Ilfracombe as the town releases the spirit of summer. Not compulsory of course.

You can join in the procession with Jack, covered in leaves, the Giant Brigid, representing growth and renewal, her partner Bres, and the tree giant Thorne, or you can just watch.

ROUTE: The parade makes its way from Wilder Road car park at 11am this Sunday, 4th May, via the High Street to the seafront. More details here.

WHAT ELSE? At the Clapping Circle Jack will be stripped of his leafy coverings in a ceremony that welcomes the new season. You can also enjoy watching Morris, belly and maypole dancing, and browse food and drink and stalls.

One-off sea shanty concert on Drake’s Island

What better location to celebrate sailors and the sea?

Billed as a once-in-a-lifetime experience you can listen to sea shanties by The Wellermen as the sun goes down on that most romantic of South Coast islands on Friday 4th July.

BACKGROUND: Not the original sea shanty revivalists, (that title goes to Fisherman’s Friends) The Wellermen found fame on social media.

TIMINGS: The concert starts at 5pm and runs to 9pm so there ought to be the chance of a good sunset accompanied by “Misty Mountains”, “Nancy Mulligan”, or “Hoist The Colours.”

TRANSPORT: Don’t make your own way there. A ferry service from the Plymouth Barbican is included in the price: Tickets £35 to £47.

Look inside the world’s leading naval academy

Prince Phillip, the former Duke of Edinburgh, trained as a naval officer there, as did his son The King.

Like them, you can pass through the famous doors of Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, either on a regular guided tour, or on the open day in July.

HISTORY: The iconic building on the high ground above the town was designed to promote Britain’s naval prowess and this year celebrates its 160th anniversary.

TRADITION: The building has seen better days (Ofsted rated it inadequate in 2023, much to the embarassment of the Navy) but continues to exude tradition and history and is well worth a visit.

TOURS: Book one of the regular guided tours here from £18. The open day is between 10am and 3pm on Saturday 26th July. More details here.

Back to basics in a North Devon bothy

Pretty spartan with no mattresses, electricity or lighting and the loo is 400m away, but a bit of roughing it never hurt anyone.

This is a West Challacombe bothy near Combe Martin, sleeping 4 people and 2 dogs, and yours for £20 a night through the National Trust.

FOR WALKERS: In a remote spot just 5 minutes from the South West Coast Path, it’s an ideal stop off for walkers following the North Devon coast.

• It’s one of the newest of a range of cheap Trust accommodation, including bunkhouses and camping barns sleeping up to 18.

Cheap as chips for a group. Book here.

Devon Curiosities #56: Coldharbour Mill

As the British textile industry collapsed Coldharbour Mill somehow kept going, and incredibly, has been continuously producing yarn, cloth and textiles since 1797.

Now a museum to rival anything in Lancashire, the 12-acre complex of working steam engines and looms is “probably one of the best preserved in the country” according to English Heritage.

THINGS TO DO: Take in the sights and sounds of the industrial revolution and see how they made traditional textiles, knitting yarn and rugs, which you can buy in the shop.

• Explore acres of wetland and wildlife and a working 18th century waterwheel.

SPECIAL EVENTS: Steam Day, 10.30am to 4.30pm, Monday 26th May. See the steam engines in action. Video. Tickets.

• The Great British Fibre Festival, a weekend of workshops, demonstrations, and exhibitions. Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th June. Tickets £12

General admission 11am to 4pm, Tuesday to Saturday. Tickets £13. Uffculme, Cullompton EX15 3EE

WHAT ELSE IS ON?

🌊 North Devon 

North Devon events May to October

🐬 South Devon

South Devon events May to October

🏆️ Get lucky! Win Devon leisure prizes

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

NEW!  🐴 2 tickets to the Devon County Show (only EX or TQ postcodes can enter) (12th May)

NEW!  🏊️ A Tinside Lido season ticket for unlimited acess to Plymouth’s art deco pool for the holder plus 1 other from 24th May to 15th September 2025 (15th May)

♨️ A weekend break for 2 at a Torquay leisure resort with cabaret, swimming pool, gym and spa (18th May)

🌲A Forestry England membership worth £94, giving free parking to more than 20 Devon forests, plus all those in the rest of the country (20th 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 mid-week 1-night rejuvenation break for 2 at the 5-star Boringdon Hall including breakfast, spa treatment and dinner (19th Jun)

NEW!  🏰 A 2-night stay for 2 at the 5-star Bovey Castle, including a Land Rover Defender tour, a free activity of your choice, dinner and 2 breakfasts (24th Jul)

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

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

❓️ Have you won a prize from a link you found here? Let me know.

How you can support Go Devon!

If you enjoy and get value from Go Devon! and would like to support the newsletter, you buy me a coffee here. Contributions help keep the newsletter free to members.

New member? Catch up here

🎸 No Glastonbury tickets? Try these top Devon alternatives

💥 The £5 Victorian fortress that still fires cannons

🎵 Before you book a Devon music festival, read this

🏔️ The Swiss Alps? Nope This Is In Devon

That’s all for this week.

(Don’t forget the survey! It’s the last chance)

Thanks for being a member.

Andy, Esme, Lara and the Go Devon! team