What’s on in Devon & Somerset
Wildlife, arts, food, sports or music, Devon is jam packed full of inspiring and memorable events and local festivals!
If its music you are into the n the free Lynton and Lnymouth festival is sure to please. Numerous folk festivals are held throughout the year. For the Classically minded, try the 2 Moors festival.
For the more gastronomic delights you find pride taken in local produce. To celebrate this make sure you don’t miss the Exmoor Food Festival in October!
For the energetic outdoor lover, when not in the saddle, there are off road mountain bike marathons ad a variety of cross country runs. Long distance cycling events, climbing and walking are all beautifully landscaped by the spectacular scenery.
For the family, one of many country shows is sure to please. Don’t miss the raft race from Minehead when thousands gather to watch the fun and frolics!
Finally, Christmas is a truly magical experience with either Dunster by Candlelight or Dulverton by Starlight both guaranteed to release a warm glow within!
January 15th – Apple Tree Wassailing, Carhampton, 7.45pm
Blessing of the apple trees to hope for a good 2011 harvest. Plenty of chance to sample last years produce!!
February 5th – 27th Snowdrop Valley, The Badgeworthy Land Co.
Permissive routes opened up to the public to view the wonder of this valley showing the snowdrops off in tremendous numbers. For more information call 01398 323841 or email snowdropvalley@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk
5th March – Star Trek
A charity night time walk around Exmoor for orienteering teams. For more information go to www.rotary-startrek.org.uk
19th – 20th & 24th – 27th Spring Steam Gala
Hosted by the West Somerset Railway, Minehead. For more information call 01643 704996 www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk
29th April to 3rd May – The Original Sailors Hobby Horse
May Day celebrations reflecting pagan traditions, as a hobby horse stalks the streets of Minehead & Dunster. For more information go to www.cajunmusic.co.uk/hh/uk/minehead/
29th April to 8th May – North Devon and Exmoor Walking Festival
For more information call 01271 883131 or go to www.exmoorwalkingfestival.co.uk
29th April to 2nd May – Ilfracombe Beer Festival, Theatre Landmark
For more information call 01271 865655
2nd to 3rd May – Jack in the Green, Ilfracombe
May Day celebrations, for more information call 01271 863001
14th to 15th May – Lynton and Barnstaple Railway Spring Gala
A weekend of celebrations for the opening of the railway in 1989. For more information go to www.lynton-rail.co.uk
15th to 17th – The Golden Horseshoe 2011
The famous endurance event over 2 days from Exford village. For more information go to www.goldenhorseshoe-ride.co.uk/
27th to 30th May – The Hunting of the Earl of Rone, Combe Martin
For further information go to www.earl-of-rone.org.uk or call 01271 882366
27th to 30th - Dulverton Folk Festival
Free entry to all events. For more information go to www.dulvertonfolkfestival.net
1st to 30th June – North Devon Festival
A variety of events throughout N Devon. For more information go to www.northdevonfestival.org or call 01271 324242
5th to 6th June – South Molton Vintage Rally
For more information call South Molton TIC on 01769 574122
6th – Strawberry Fair, Combe Martin
For more information call 01271 883319
10th to 26th June – Art Trek
Throughout N Devon and Exmoor Professional Artists and Makers will be inviting the public into their homes, studios and other assorted venues to see work in progress, learn how they create and perhaps join in with some of the workshops taking place! For more information see Art Trek pages on www.northdevonfestival.org
10th to 12th June - Lynton and Lynmouth Music Festival
For more information call 01598 753968 or email info@llama.org.uk
11th to 19th June - Ilfracombe Victorian Celebrations
For more information call 01271 863001
17th to 19th June – Gold Coast Oceanfest, Croyde
For more information go to info@goldcoastoceanfest.co.uk
19th June – Iron Man 70.3 Triathlon UK, Wimbleball Lake.
For further information go to http://www.ironmanuk.com/2011/
19th June – Porlock’s Midsummer Festival.
Midsummer madness of street entertainment in the decorated village of Porlock.
15th to 19th June – South Molton Old English Fayre.
For further information call 01769 574180
25th June – Exmoor Perambulation
31 miles of cross country walking around Exmoor’s old boundary. For further information go to www.exmoorperambulation.co.uk
2nd to 3rd July – Days Out With Thomas The Tank Engine
Thomas and friends return to West Somerset Railways! Go to www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk
All Weekends between 1st and 24th July – Music and Comedy Festival, Combe Martin.
For information call 01271 883319
15th to 17th July – Woody Bay Beer Festival.
Lynton and Barnstaple Railway at Woody Bay invite you to a combination of beer and steam! For more information go to www.lynton-rail.co.uk
24th to 30th July – Minehead & Exmoor Festival
A week of classical music including orchestral conerts from visiting orchestra, one chamber concert and a recital! Call 01643 702624
27th July – Dunster Country Fair
A great day out for all the family celebrating country way of life!
31st July Watchet Carnival Weekend
Located at various places around the Marina, for more information call 01984 639616
7th August – The Exmoor Explorer Mountain Bike Marathon
A long distance off road reliability trial, for more information go to www.activeexmoor.com/site/whats-on/exmoor-explorer
4th August – North Devon Show
For more information call 01271 375000
6th to 7th – West Somerset Railway Association Steam Fayre and Vintage Rally
Every kind of vintage vehicle, children’s entertainment, trade stands and resfreshments, held at Norton Fitzwarren.
6th to 12th – Combe Martin Carnival
Call 01271 883319
10th August – Exford Show
Picturesque show just outside Exford also incorporating the Exmoor Pony Society Breed Show.
14th August – Porlock Country fair
Fun for all the family, for information call 01643 863150
19th August – Dunster Show
A country show set in stunning Exmoor scenery on the edge of the Medieval village of Dunster!
26th to 28th August – Watchet Music Festival
2 days and 3 nights of live musical entertainment and more! www.watchetfestival.co.uk
29th August - Legendary Grand Tour of Minis
Join the fun as a parade of minis, old and young, travel across the morr to the sound of tooting horns!
3rd September – Porlock Carnival
3rd to 4th September – Late Summer Weekend
GWR 175: The penultimate act. Tornado will be visiting on these dates, www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk
8th to 11th September – Porlock Arts Festival
Four day arts festival in picturesque Porlock and its environs! www.porlockfestival.org
10th to 11th September – Somerset Real Ale Festival
West Somerset Railway is organising this great festival of local ales.
25th to 27th Lynton and Barnstaple Railway Steam Gala
A weekend of steam on the railway, visiting engines and side shows, www.lynton-rail.co.uk
25th September – South Molton Carnival
30th September to 3rd October – N Devon and Exmoor Autumn Walking Festival
32 guided walks over 4 days, half days to full day hikes, www.exmoorwalkingfestival.co.uk
1st to 9th October – Exmoor Food Festival
Food, glorious food! A diverse selection of foodie events set in the stunning scenery of Exmoor! www.exmoorfoodfestival.co.uk
2nd October – Dulverton Carnival
For more information call 01398 323818
14th to 16th – Exmoors Red Deer Rutting Weekend
A unique opportunity to witness the wild red deer rut on Exmoor.
13th to 22nd October – Two Moors Festival
Classic FM’s ‘ Festival in the South West’ using rural churches as venues across Exmoor and Dartmoor! www.thetwomoorsfestival.com
27th October – Bampton Charter Fair 2011
Entertainment, music, craft fair and street market along with fun fair, rare breeds and pony and fur and feather auction. www.bamptoncharterfair.org.uk
4th November – Minehead Firework Display
7th November – Exmoor Beast
10000 cyclists endure a 100 mile course for the intrepid! www.activeexmoor.com
1st December – Light up Lynton
Santa arrives to turn on the Christmas lights and sprinkles fairy dust over the children to help them be good!
2nd to 3rd December – Dunster By Candlelight
Dunster turns its back on the present and lights its streets in the soft glow of candle lanterns! A great evening out.
4th December – Light up Lynton, late night shopping
Street entertainment, Christmas draw and hog roast, mulled wine and special offers.
4th December – Dulverton By Starlight
Dulverton is transformed into a twinkling delight of white lights and Christmas trees!
Our favourite Sites for discovering what’s on; www.visitdevon.com, www.whatsonexmoor.co.uk, www.exmoor.com, www.visit-exmoor.co.uk and www.activeexmoor.com.