We’ve handpicked 10 brilliant things to do in Devon in September to keep you busy. This month sees many local festivals including Chagford Film Festival, (look out Cannes!) and the historic Widecombe Fair (with Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all!)
September is still lovely and warm in the Westcountry as summer gives way to early autumn. It’s harvest season on the farm with fresh produce, fruits, ripening grapes and tasty delicacies to sample fresh from the sea.
From a mobile bird hide to Gin School and upscale vineyard tours at Darts Farm, we have plenty of great reasons to tempt you to visit Devon this month!
- Attend Gin School!
- Visit the World of Country Life and more
- Tom Cobley’s back at Widecombe Fair!
- Tour Darts Farm
- Unravel a day of crime at the Agatha Christie Festival
- Experience a mobile bird hide!
- Say cheers to Abbfest!
- Feeling nippy? It’s Clovelly Lobster and Crab Feast!
- Watch a movie at Chagford Film Festival
- Set Sail
Attend Gin School
If only they’d taught more relevant topics such as gin-making when we were at school we might have paid more attention! Now’s your chance to learn the ins and outs of gin-making at The Gin Nest Distillery at the Wine Box in Torquay. It’s rated #1 food and drink attraction by TripAdvisor.
This two-hour class covers all you need to know about making gin with professional guidance. The hands-on experience uses traditional methods such as a copper pot still. Sample different gins while crafting your own 50cl bottle of gin to take home. It could be the start of a whole new hobby or cottage industry!
Visit the World of Country Life and more
As a break from the beach, you’ll find loads to do at the World of Country Life near Exmouth, even on a miserable day. It combines a museum of farming with exhibits, an extensive vintage vehicle display, motorcycles, steam shed, petting animals in the nursery and a bird of prey display. After watching these silent birds swoop and dive for food you can even get to handle one up-close for a photo op.
Ride the Deer Train Safari and hand-feed red deer and llamas or enjoy taking a goat for walk. Visitors can revel in a century of memories down the Victorian Street, peek into the pub and butcher’s shop and admire the latest fashions circa 1940!
It’s really well presented including a vintage phone box where you can pick up and listen to a commentary.
Tom Cobley’s back at Widecombe Fair!
Widecombe Fair is celebrated on the second Tuesday in September and it’s a great way to immerse yourself in Dartmoor life and culture. This historic country fair spawned the song “Widecombe Fair” when a host of friends allegedly met along the way including Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all!
You’ll see seven local rascals arriving in the traditional fashion on a grey mare! Fortunately it’s a giant wooden horse that leads the colourful parade of vintage farm machinery. Join in hay bale tossing, watch the dog show and livestock judging at this beautiful village in a breathtaking rural setting at Widecombe-in-the-Moor.
Tour Darts Farm
Darts Farm is in Clyst St George near Topsham, which is a renowned foodie hub in East Devon. The farm has branched out to offer a host of activities and food-centric master classes including the Artisan School of Food and Drink.
September is a great month to enjoy a one-hour guided tour of the award-winning Pebblebed Vineyard with the head winemaker. It’s a chance to learn how sparkling wine is produced and then taste the results of five different wines. Book a tour with food for the ultimate evening out!
September also sees a number of one-day events including the Field, Fire, Ferment Evening Feast with wine pairings led by local producers and in-house experts. Check their website for details!
Unravel a day of crime at the Agatha Christie Festival
Celebrate murder, mystery and mayhem at the International Agatha Christie Festival that takes Torquay by storm on the second full week in September. Many of the events focus on Torre Abbey where the Spanish Barn hosts dramatic performances, fringe festival events, author talks and in-depth discussions about the Queen of Crime herself.
Agatha Christie lived in Torquay for a time and had a home (now Nationnal Trust owned) at Greenway near Dartmouth. Meet Christie’s famous characters, help solve a who-dunnit and put your sleuthing skills to the test. It’s an amazing festival and a lasting tribute to Poirot, Miss Marple, and other much-loved British characters. Most events are ticketed.
Experience a mobile bird hide!
History meets nature at the Seaton Tramway. On certain dates in September, the historic open-air tram museum at Colyton offers special bird-watching tram rides. It calls in at two nature reserves – Seaton Marches and Colyton Common – as you explore the Axe Estuary from the top deck of a heritage tram.
It offers panoramic views of the estuary, so bring your binoculars, and there’s indoor seating down below if the weather turns chilly. Book your seat on their website ahead of time and see Devon’s wildlife from a unique perspective!
Say cheers to Abbfest!
South Devon’s Abbfest celebrates food, beer and music over the third weekend in September. It’s all happening at Fermoy’s Garden Centre in Newton Abbot. Most commendably the main purpose of Abbfest (beside the food and booze of course) is raising funds for local charities. To date the 14-year-old festival has donated over £220,000 to good causes.
There are headliner bands on Friday and Saturday, food and craft stalls to browse and over 200 locally brewed beers and ciders to sample. Not a fan of beer? They cater for all tastes with wine, Pimms and a prosecco bar too! Buy your tickets ahead of time and make use of the free shuttle bus to get you to and from this worthy fun-filled festival.
Feeling nippy? It’s Clovelly Lobster and Crab Feast!
Still on a food theme, the Lobster and Crab Feast takes place in Clovelly on the first Sunday in September. It celebrates the connection between the working harbour at Clovelly and its maritime heritage.
There are seafood kitchens where you can sample the freshest and tastiest crab and lobster in a variety of dishes. Watch cooking demonstrations by renowned local chefs, enjoy craft stalls, beer tastings and plenty of street theatre and magic for youngsters. The grand finale is the National Lobster Hatchery releasing baby lobsters into the sea to boost local stock.
Watch a movie at Chagford Film Festival
Touted as the Best Small Film Festival in the World, Chagford Film Festival is a must-do for movie-goers and film buffs. This six-day event takes place during the last week in September and starts with a warm-up by a famous comedian or celebrity. Films are shown at The Three Crowns and in St Michael’s Church and there’s a pre-festival event aboard the 22-seater Vintage Movie Bus.
Make a day of it and enjoy the tearooms and wonderful walks that surround this lovely Dartmoor village!
Set Sail
September is a great month to set sail along the oldest working shipping canal in Europe. Better known as the Exeter Canal, this eight-mile man-made waterway includes two manually operated locks as well as the Countess Weir Swing Bridge which has to stop traffic and swing open to let the boat through. Operated by Stuart Line Cruises, this 2½ hour cruise takes in gorgeous Devon scenery, birds and wildlife.
Next thing to do…
Book your holiday cottage in Devon so you can join in the fun! With so many diverse things to do, you need at least a week to enjoy our top 10 things to do in Devon this September.
What about next month? Here’s our guide to the top 10 things to do in Devon in October.
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.