You won’t believe how many fun things you can do in Devon in November! We rounded up plenty of festivities for a family-friendly Bonfire Night in North, Central and South Devon, but you can’t beat the old traditions. Watch the burning tar barrels rolling down the street in Ottery St Mary, or lend a hand turning the Devil’s Stone in Shebbear. It’s thirsty work!
Family friendly things to do in Devon in November include feeding donkeys or otters on a private encounter. Join in the tasty feast at Clovelly Herring Festival and celebrate St Clement’s Day at the restored Finch Foundry. Don’t miss the exciting Haldon Gold Cup horseracing at Exeter and enjoy a spot of jazz on select nights in Appledore. Let’s get started!
- Go fishing at the Clovelly Herring Festival
- The race is on at the Haldon Gold Cup in Exeter
- Burn it up on Bonfire Night
- Holy smokes… it’s Ottery’s flaming tar barrels!
- Go underwater at the National Marine Aquarium
- Meet the residents at Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary
- Lend a hand turning the Devil’s Stone
- Jazz it up in Appledore
- Join blacksmiths at Finch Foundry on St Clements Day
- Feed Dartmoor Otters on a private visit
Go fishing at the Clovelly Herring Festival
Who knew there’s a season for catching herring! These small oily fish spawn in winter and the premium catch period is in autumn when the fish are sizeable. Fishermen of old in Clovelly are well attuned to the seasons of the sea and consequently they hold the Clovelly Herring Festival on the third Sunday in November.
Known as the “silver darlings” these oily fish were once a staple for poor families during the winter. Explore the picturesque traffic-free harbour village of Clovelly to learn more about these nutritious fish. The quay is abuzz with pop-up kitchens demonstrating how to prepare and cook herring along with cider, beer and gin stalls, street entertainers and crafts.
The race is on at the Haldon Gold Cup in Exeter
Exeter Racecourse only hosts a few races each year, but the Haldon Gold Cup is always on the race card for the first Friday in November. You’ll need to buy tickets online ahead of time to ensure admission to this popular horseracing event. There’s a dress code of smart attire for men and hats or fascinators for women, so dress up, and more importantly, dress warm for this autumn fixture.
Food and drink are all part of the day, with a full range from champagne to beer at the Best Mate Bar. The exclusive Grandstand and Paddock areas have their own bars that serve hot and cold snacks too. It’s a fun day out for couples and groups of friends that will have you chomping at the bit!
Burn it up on Bonfire Night
Let’s face it, you’re never too too young or too old to enjoy a bonfire and spectacular fireworks after dark drawing oohs and aaahs from everyone. Check for local info near your Devon holiday cottage as most places have events on 5th November or the nearest Saturday to it.
The Big Sheep in Bideford always hosts an amazing family-friendly event with the biggest fireworks display for miles. Woodbury Park Golf Club also goes off the fairway to host a fireworks bonanza with food stalls and entertainment. Westpoint Arena, Offwell Recreation Ground near Honiton, Plymouth Hoe and Exmouth Rugby Club have bonfire and fireworks but Teignmouth and Shaldon go one better, burning a Viking ship on Shaldon Beach. Fancy dress is optional for this free event.
Holy smokes… it’s Ottery’s flaming tar barrels!
The ultimate event in Devon around November 5th is the Flaming Tar Barrels Run in Ottery St Mary. This 17th century tradition has been modified but is still pretty crazy! It includes one of the biggest bonfires in Devon as part of a pagan ritual that cleanses the village of evil spirits.
The firing of a rock cannon announces the start of the evening’s events which include tar barrels being set alight and then rolled or carried on shoulders or sleds through the streets of this delightful village. There’s the usual fair, side stalls and live entertainment too.
Go underwater at the National Marine Aquarium
On chilly November days, visit the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth. It’s the largest in the UK with a spectacular array of over 5,000 colourful fish, sharks, turtles, rays and seahorses as well as corals and anemones.
For the most fun, take a VIP Behind the Scenes Tour and join the Ocean Discovery Rangers on a typical day feeding and managing the marine-life.
Meet the residents at Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary
Although many animal parks close for the winter, the Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary welcomes guests all year round. Learn about the donkeys enjoying a well-earned retirement and bring a few carrots or apple pieces to really get their attention.
Support this charity by enjoying snacks at the Kitchen Cafe or purchasing a few unusual stocking fillers from the gift shop. There’s a play area for youngsters and several walks along public footpaths and quiet lanes if you fancy a scenic ramble.
Lend a hand turning the Devil’s Stone
While the rest of the UK is busy with bonfires and fireworks, Devon locals have a hard task ahead of them in Shebbear. November 5th is traditionally the night when the bulky 2-metre long Devil’s Stone is turned over using crowbars, plenty of muscle and manpower.
Steeped in legend, the story goes that the rock was dropped on the devil by St Michael. The stone must be fully turned over to avert local disaster (as has happened, apparently, on years when the legend was ignored!). The church bells are rung discordantly at 8pm, the vicar reads out the legend and then the stone is levered over. After that, it’s drinks in the pub, aptly named The Devil’s Stone Inn, of course.
Jazz it up in Appledore
On a lighter note, why not enjoy an evening of entertainment put on by the North Devon Jazz Club? Jazz events are hosted by the Beaver Inn in Appledore on Monday evenings once or twice a month. If you’re staying in this pretty coastal village, ask at the bar when you arrive. The programme has attracted some top names in the field of Jazz and Blues.
The event is free- just turn up and put a donation in the beer glass as it’s handed around. It covers the travel costs and performance fees of talented musicians and singers. Music usually starts around 8:30pm but you need to have secured a table, or a least a seat at the bar, well ahead of time.
Join blacksmiths at Finch Foundry on St Clements Day
St Clement was tied to an anchor and drowned in AD100. He was later martyred and then adopted by blacksmiths. See the traditional firing of the anvil at this 19th century water-powered foundry, join in the Great Snail Race, sample St Clements Curd in the gift shop and see demonstrations of the working forge.
Feed Dartmoor Otters on a private visit
Otters are delightfully entertaining at Dartmoor Otters and Buckfast Butterflies. Located in Buckfastleigh on the edge of Dartmoor, the attraction closes to the public at the end of October, but you can pre-book a private “Otter Experience” at any time of year.
Join Head Keeper Keira and learn all about these wonderful creatures that include British and European Otters, Asian Short-Clawed Otters, Sea Otters and North American River Otters. Learn all about the Rescue, Rehabilitation and Release scheme the attraction implements.
You’re missing out on all these fun activities! Why not book a holiday cottage in Devon for an autumn break?
What about next month? Here’s our guide to the top 10 things to do in Devon in December.
Born in Cheshire, Gillian Birch moved to Cornwall at her earliest opportunity and never looked back. After 20 years, her ongoing discovery of popular attractions, quiet footpaths and local eateries has made her a fount of knowledge as she entertains readers with her informative articles on the hidden gems of Devon & Cornwall from a local point-of-view.