Gillian Birch 
If you are looking for a challenging and unusual activity that will be a conversation piece for weeks afterwards, head to Dragon Archery near Holsworthy. This well laid out family business will have you slaying dragons and orcs in no time!
Read on to discover what a session at Dragon Archery entails before booking a family day out, birthday party, stag weekend or company team-building event there.
Walkers, hikers and ramblers will not want to miss the Great South West Walks event which aims to raise funds to maintain and improve the South West Coast Path. With over 100 circular walks to choose from, you may want to do more than one!
Read more about how you can participate in the Great South West Walks in Devon and meet new friends on this fun 9-day event.
Once a year, national monuments, private properties, historic schools and former hospital buildings in Devon open their doors to the public for free admittance. These Heritage Open Days take place in mid-September and are well worth a visit.
Read about Devon’s 25 properties that will be open for the Heritage Open Days event then book your place on a special behind-the-scenes heritage tour.
What better time to visit the Scilly Isles than in September when the Tresco and Bryher Food Festival gets underway? Sample Bryher crab, St Martin’s wine and St Agnes ice cream in a culinary festival fit for a king.
Learn more about this gourmet food festival and find out the best way to reach the Scilly Isles in < a href="https://holidaycottagesindevonandcornwall.co.uk/cross-the-sea-to-sample-the-tresco-and-bryher-food-festival" title="Cross the sea to sample the Tresco and Bryher Food Festival">this informative article.
It’s hard to imagine that the quiet town of Bodmin was actually the former county town of Cornwall during the tin mining era. In its rabble-rousing days it was the centre of the Cornish Rebellion in 1497 and the later Prayer Book Rebellion.
Here are our 5 worthwhile reasons to visit Bodmin.
Bird lovers, wildlife enthusiasts and those looking for something different to do will all enjoy a visit to the Screech Owl Sanctuary in central Cornwall. It offers falconry demonstrations and hands-on opportunities with quite a menagerie of animals.
One of Devon’s most endearing attractions is the Buckfast Butterfly Farm and Dartmoor Otter Sanctuary. The cute residents entertain all ages, especially at feeding time, and the butterfly house is ideal for showery days!
Located where the River Taw joins the Torridge, Barnstaple is within easy reach of Exmoor National Park and the Tarka Trail. It has a characterful historic town centre with some impressive buildings including the Victorian Butcher’s Row.
Here are our 5 worthwhile reasons to visit Barnstaple.
Following on from the reopening of the National Trust Coleridge Cottage, the scenic Coleridge Way has now been extended. It runs for 51 miles across the Devon-Somerset border linking Exmoor National Park with the Quantock Hills.
The tiny city of Truro with its charming cobbled streets and grand townhouses makes a great place to spend a long weekend at any time of year. With excellent shopping, dining, history and architecture you can mix city pleasures with a riverside stroll.
Here are our 5 worthwhile reasons to visit Truro.
Join in a day of old-fashioned family fun at the Shaldon Water Carnival. Applaud the Water Carnival Queen and her attendees and admire the flotilla of decorated boats at this colourful water-based carnival just a ferry-ride from Teignmouth.
There are plenty of stalls, food and water-themed activities at the Shaldon Water Carnival so come on down, join the fun and expect to get your feet wet!
Head down to Cornwall for some hair-raising activities in a flooded disused quarry. Try the Giant Swing, the 490-metre long zip wire and coasteering with a difference at Adrenalin Quarry.
On your marks, get set… for the annual Rotary Pedal Car Grand Prix which takes place each year in Torquay. Watch teams propel their pedal cars to the limit around the circuit in pursuit of the coveted title and trophy.
This popular fundraiser includes a barbecue, bric-a-brac, arts and crafts, bouncy castle and more. Read on for full details about this spoof F1 raceday.
Celebrate the Summer Solstice weekend at the Gold Coast Oceanfest and enjoy a host of beach games, sports and live music. The festival includes the largest beach volleyball event in the UK plus Aquathon, surfing, paddleboarding, Frisbee and more.
If this sounds like your sort of event, read all about where to obtain your Gold Coast Oceanfest tickets and how to get to Croyde.
Murdoch Day celebrates Redruth’s most famous inventor with a full day of activities. Watch the Children’s Procession, browse the street market, ride the Old Tyme Fair and enjoy live music from brass bands to samba!
Learn about who William Murdoch was and plan to celebrate in style by attending the Murdoch Day celebrations this year.
Rivers and lakes in Dartmoor have been chosen to host the prestigious Commonwealth Fly Fishing Championship 2014. With world-class fishing for rainbow and brown trout, the event is sure to create a surge in interest with local anglers.
Read more about the history and planned locations for this international event, and perhaps be inspired to plan your own fishing holiday in Devon this year!
Totnes is a former Saxon settlement on the River Dart, known for its alternative New Age community. This delightful historic town and wealthy river port once exported Devon wool and tin. It has a bustling main street, 15th century church, historic buildings and even an Elizabethan market along its narrow streets. Set on a steep hill, Totnes Castle is an interesting local landmark; one of many historic attractions to enjoy during your visit to this unique community.
Here are our suggestions for 5 top reasons to visit Totnes.
Coleton Fishacre is the arts and crafts style family home of the operatic D’Oyly Carte family. Furnished in 1920s style, the house is surrounded by superb RHS approved gardens sloping down to the sea.
If you plan to visit Devon, check out this article about the popular National Trust property which can easily be reached by road or coastal path from Dartmouth.
Penzance is the most westerly town of significance in the UK, just 10 miles from Land’s End. This lively town is famous for its old port, market, characterful pubs and for the majestic St Michaels Mount which stands in Mounts Bay.
Here are our 5 worthwhile reasons to visit Penzance.
Something you can only do in Cornwall is tour a former tin mine! Geevor Tin Mine near Land’s End offers an underground hard hat tour which is always a novelty for visitors. There is also a museum and plenty of heritage buildings to tour.
Dig into our article for more details of how to enjoy a day out at this award-winning attraction.
If you enjoy cooking and eating good food, the Dartington Food Fair has plenty to tempt you! With over 50 stalls selling Devon products, and several popular chef’s kitchens, this free event is well worth attending this May.
Why not make a date and plan to visit this excellent Food Fair? It takes place on the riverside site of a former Cider Press in the beautiful Dart Valley.
Lemonfest hit the ground running when it took over the Newton Abbot Racecourse for the first ever event. It has now secured a spot as one of the UK’s top music festivals. This one-day music festival takes place on the late May bank holiday Saturday.
With five stages and a mega-lineup of talent, Lemonfest has something for everyone. Best book your earlybird ticket now to avoid disappointment!
Few May Day celebrations are more colourful or historic than the Black Prince Boat Procession that brings together the communities of Millbrook, Kingsand and Cawsand. Locals parade behind the flower decorated boat wearing traditional Cornish costume.
Don your best red ribbons and cloaks and head down to southeast Cornwall for this family-friendly event to launch the Black Prince Flower Boat.
BrixFest is a great excuse to visit the old fishing port of Brixham and celebrate its long association with the sea. Formerly known as Brixham Heritage Festival, BrixFest fills the town with visitors during the 5-day festival which takes place over the late May Bank Holiday from Saturday to the following Wednesday.
During BrixFest, you will find Brixham is a-buzz with activities relating to the town’s fishing culture and heritage. From regattas to sea food and fireworks to live music, there is plenty to keep you on your toes!