Devon & Cornwall offer a year-round calendar of fantastic events and festivals to suit all ages and tastes. We’ll help you make the most of your time when holidaying in the south west of England.
If you want to get the New Year off to an interesting start, the Healing Light Festival at Heartlands is a fascinating weekend of holistic health and spirituality. It brings together all types of therapy and holistic medicine with a focus on healing.
Learn more about herbal medicine, crystal healing, Reiki, Mayan calendar readings or other mystical practices at the festival’s talks and workshops.
If you fancy trying Nordic Walking then head down to Trelissick Garden and join in their Nordic Walking Taster Day. This free introductory session includes the use of Nordic poles. Just sign up and turn up in suitable footwear to give it a try.
Read more about this increasingly popular hobby which is a great way to meet new friends, lose a little weight and improve your health and fitness.
By early December most people are in Christmas shopping mode. Why not combine duty with pleasure by popping down to the Exmouth Craft Fair and kill two birds with one stone? It is held in Exmouth Pavilion, right on the Esplanade seafront.
If you are unfamiliar with Exmouth, this article gives a few tips on other things to do in Exmouth including walking, bird watching and scenic boat trips.
The festive season kicks off in Devon with the delightful Christmas Magic in Clovelly event. Follow the procession down the old street to the harbour and join in some carol singing led by the harmonious Torridge Male Voice Choir.
Read more tips about car parking and free admission times for this great event, and arrive hungry to enjoy the hog roast, mulled wine and mince pies. Yummy!
If you are looking for unique Christmas gifts of value and distinction, then Chagford’s Wonderworks Arts and Crafts Christmas Fair should be right up your street. Take a scenic drive onto Dartmoor and visit this unique weekend event.
Read on to discover what sets Wonderworks apart from other craft fairs and Christmas festivals. You’re sure to be both surprised and impressed!
Make time for family moments during the build-up to Christmas, such as the Santa by Steam experience from Bodmin General Station. As well as enjoying a nostalgic steam train ride, Santa is onboard dishing out goodie bags to all good boys and girls!
Read on to get the details and times of this magical heritage railway trip for all ages, and see what the all-inclusive ticket price includes for adults!
Dunster by Candlelight is a magical event held the first Friday and Saturday in December. Join the merrymakers with a walk along the streets of this quintessential mediaeval village in Somerset which is lit only be candles and lanterns for this two-day event.
Our article covers tips for parking, watching the lamplighting procession, enjoying carols and browsing the street stalls with Dunster Castle as a backdrop.
Christmas begins for many at the Crediton Christmas Tree Festival which showcases over 70 decorated and illuminated Christmas trees. The whole community gets into the seasonal spirit as local businesses and organizations all contribute a tree.
We cover the when, where and best time to see this wonderful display of trees which fill the 1000 year old parish church in Crediton. It’s a wonderful sight!
Godolphin is one of the National Trust’s hidden gems and it really comes to life in December during the Godolphin Christmas events. There’s a Living Nativity, carol singing, music and craft demonstrations which everyone is welcome to join in.
Make the perfect mince pie, craft a Christmas tree decoration and take a winter walk past mining relics. It’s all part of the Godolphin Christmas experience!
If you want something a little more exciting than trick or treat for Halloween, then Arlington Court has just the programme for you! It has several Halloween Tours throughout the month of October and a Haunted Halloween Walk on 31st October 2013.
Arlington Court also offers half-term Halloween crafts and a Haunted Halloween Walk around the grounds after dark. Read on&hellip: if you dare!
Bampton Charter Fair has celebrated its 750th birthday and continues to draw crowds of visitors to this fun event in late October. There’s a “Fur and Feathers” sale, street entertainment, stalls and craft demonstrations as part of this historic event.
Enjoy reading about the colourful history of this legendary fair on Exmoor. It’s certainly a fun event to attend and it is opened with a proclamation!
The National Trust excels at putting on many different events with a Halloween theme during October. Ghost tours by lamplight, murder mystery evenings, carving a pumpkin and making a witch’s broom are just some of the events to look out for.
Read on to discover nine different Halloween events taking place around Cornwall – there’s bound to be one near you for you to join in!
Now in its fifth year, National Dialect Day will be celebrated at the Barnfield Theatre in Exeter in 2013. The event takes place over three days and includes talks, competitions, singing and drama to celebrate the regional differences of dialects.
Get the lowdown about this cultural event and consider making your own contribution by performing a short song, poem or drama in a local dialect.
A staggering 76% of people visiting Cornwall say that walking is one of their favourite things to do. The Southeast Cornwall Walking Festival is right up their street, so to speak, with a range of guided walks making the most of this scenic area.
Read on to discover the various guided walks on offer as part of the Walking Festival before deciding which walks you want to join in.
Spitfires, World War II jeeps, vintage cars and 1940s music are sure to make the Lupton House 1940s Weekend near Brixham go with a swing. Themed stalls, demonstrations and historic re-enactments will make this an informative day out with a difference!
Read all about the role Lupton House had to play in World War II and click the link to get your tickets to the Victory Dance in this informative article.
Moor2Sea Cycle Sportive is a challenging cycle ride around some of Dartmoor and South Devon’s most challenging peaks. With three different routes and age groups, there’s a chance for everyone to get a medal including a King of the Mountains pin.
Even non-cyclists will enjoy spectating this challenging cycle ride in aid of two local charities through some of South Devon’s most scenic beauty spots.
Helston Railway is run by the Preservation Society who are organising the Helston Railway 1940s Weekend in 2013 over the August Bank Holiday weekend. Agricultural displays, World War II vehicles and farm machinery will be part of the themed event.
Read more about the restored engines which now carry visitors on short rides on the restored railway track and learn about this nostalgic weekend at Trevarno.
Torbay’s first recorded sailing competition took place in 1813, making 2013 the 200th anniversary. Torbay Week is sure to mark that historic landmark as part of its sixth year, with special races organised by the four local sailing clubs.
Read all about this prestigious sailing event, and the long history of regattas in Torbay with our informative article which covers Torbay Week in detail.
Take your seats on Dawlish Beach and enjoy a grandstand view of some fantastic displays by the RAF at the Dawlish Airshow. Formation skydiving, helicopters, the Red Arrows and Air-Sea Rescue demonstrations will have you holding your breath for sure!
Our article gives tips on where to park and what to expect at the exciting Dawlish Airshow, which takes place right over the bay!
The historic 17th century Trereife House and Gardens makes a wonderful setting for the 21st century exhibits which make up the Cornwall Design Fair. The event attracts over 4000 visitors with displays, workshops and a curated exhibition.
Discover more about the exhibits which include stained glass, ceramics, jewellery, fashion and furniture, and plan to spend a day at this historic estate.
Fistral Beach and Watergate Bay are buzzing with thousands of surfers and music lovers during the Boardmasters Surf, Skate and Music Festival. Watch some of the best sportsmen competing in the ASP World Tour Surfing, skating and BMX competitions.
We give you the lowdown on the three-day music festival which is part of this surfing event, and find out what’s free and what’s ticketed if you plan to attend.
Enjoy 500 veteran and vintage cars on display at the Mount Edgcumbe American and Classic Car Show. Set in a beautiful location overlooking the Tamar River, there is a craft show, car boot sale and children’s entertainment on this splendid day out.
Our article covers all the fun you can expect when you attend this family event, and learn more about the 16th century house & gardens at Mount Edgcumbe estate.
Charlestown Regatta Week combines raising funds for local projects with musical concerts, sailing races, Morris dancing and even a Triathlon. This historic port is a UNESCO listed site and is frequently used for filming, so it is well worth visiting.
Read all about Charlestown Regatta Week, visit the Shipwreck Heritage Centre and maybe take a voyage on a historic Tall Ship in this delightful harbour village!
Bicton Flower Festival offers a stunning collection of flowers shown in formal arrangements to great effect. The many flower arrangements are displayed in St Mary’s Church at Bicton, within the grounds of Bicton Park Botanical Gardens.
Read on to learn about the history of the Bicton Estate, the church and the landscaped gardens before planning a visit to the splendid Bicton Flower Festival.