Things to Do in North Devon in August

29th July 2019

Things to Do in North Devon in August

Well, July has been absolutely jam-packed in North Devon, and we’ve been lucky enough to have the weather to go with it!

Not to worry though - July is looking just as fun-filled, for both locals and visitors from further afield, with activities suited to all ages and interests. Hopefully, the sun will keep shining, but even if it disappears for a while, there’s plenty of entertainment on to keep the kids satisfied, during these long summer holidays. Keep reading to discover it all.

w/c 29th July

The month kicks off with the Mortehoe Scarecrow Festival - a fantastic, quirky few days of fun. This year’s theme is Musicals From Stage and Screen, and as always it’ll be packed full of fun for the whole family, raising funds for local organisations.

Next up, it’s the South West Birdman Competition over at Ilfracombe, where you’ll be able to watch aviators and crazy would-be pilots, launch themselves into the waters beneath Ilfracombe Harbour. Whoever flies the furthest is crowned the champion. In addition, the day is complete with music, food, craft stalls and children’s entertainment, so it’s a fun day out for the whole family.

It’s festival season after all, so naturally, the Clovelly Maritime Festival and Lifeboat Weekend comes next. Alongside the ever-exciting yacht race, you can expect live music, stilt entertainers, themed arts and crafts, story telling, Punch & Judy and much much more. All proceeds go towards the fantastic RNLI, so this is well worth a visit.

The littelies will absolutely love The Big Sheep’s Bubble Weekend, which is back on the 3rd and 4th of August. Team members will be giving out their best bubble blowing tips and tricks, meanwhile, the park’s huge range of activities will be available to enjoy as usual. 

Vehicle enthusiasts had better make their way down to Affinity Devon in Bideford on the 4th for a Classic Car Display - over 20 incredible sports and classic cars will be available to view in the amphitheatre, and to make it even better, the event is in aid of Chemo Hero.

w/c 5th August

There’s even more fantastic fun to be had at Affinity’s amphitheatre this week, with the Rob Pudner and Dexter Newman’s cracking display of Traditional Tales Musicals. Packed full of songs, slapstick and silliness, their twists on well-known stories are perfect for the whole family.

Head to Umberleigh on the 7th for one of everyone’s favourite events - it’s the North Devon Show! Celebrating our agricultural heritage, there’ll be live stock classes throughout the day with alpacas, cattle, horses and sheep, as well as show jumping, a dog show, attractions and trade stalls, so there’s something for everyone. 

The incredible MS Rotterdam will be making an appearance at Ilfracombe Pier on the 9th August, arriving at 8am and departing at 3pm, so don’t forget to pop by to catch a glimpse of this truly glorious cruise ship.  

Finally, visit Merry Harriers on the 10th for a Dog Show and so much more. Enter your own pup, or just come along to spot some of the finest four-legged friends that North Devon has to offer!

w/c 12th August

Fancy an evening of outdoor theatre, surrounded by the glorious grounds of Hartland Abbey? Who wouldn’t? Shakespeare’s ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ will be performed on the lawn, courtesy of The Festival Players - and it’ll be tasty too, thanks to a delicious BBQ, plus a wine and Pimms bar.

Meet a variety of incredible wildlife with Really Wild Learning. Offering a hands-on encounter with mini beast, whilst promoting conservation and wildlife education, this is a great opportunity to have a memorable experience for both adults and children.

The writers amongst us will absolutely love the Workshop and Walk for Poets and Writers over in Instow. It’s a great opportunity to get inspired according to place, space, and even Beaford Archive images, which will then be geotagged along the Tarka Trail.

Just across the water in Appledore, the community will be thrumming with excitement - it’s Appledore Carnival! With a procession of incredible floats and plenty to see and do, it’s sure to be as memorable an occasion as ever. 

w/c 19th August

To celebrate the 150th anniversary of R.D Blackmore’s Exmoor-based masterpiece, ‘Lorna Doone’, the Pleasure Dome Theatre Company will return to the Valley of the Rocks. Bringing the story to life in an incredible outdoor location, the showing of this play promises to provide a magical few evenings - make sure not to miss it.

It’s a good month for outdoor theatre here in North Devon, and if Gothic literature is more your cup of tea, you’ll want to return to Hartland Abbey for Illyria’s outdoor showing of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. That’s not all that’s taking place on the 22nd though - Affinity are hosting a Dragon Day! If your kids love these fire-breathing characters, bring them by to meet Dreckly the Dragon and take part in a variety of fun activities throughout the day. 

The weekend starts with the Clovelly Gig Regatta, an exciting day of watching races over the North Devon waters. Then, on Sunday, Marshall from Paw Patrol is making an appearance at The Big Sheep! Kids will have the opportunity to meet this beloved character, take photos, and get a high-five. 

w/c 26th August

Kick off the last stretch of the summer at the Merry Harriers Classic Car and Bike Show - a free event showcasing some incredible vehicles on August 26th! This fits in perfectly with the end of the Merry Harriers summer sale, between the 24th and 26th, where you can get some fantastic discounts on a range of excellent products.

Apparently, August is all about the cars, because Mini Madness takes place in Ilfracombe on the very same day. Ending an Annual Grand Tour with an incredible spectacle of different Mini cars, this will be an amazing display to watch.

The kids will absolutely adore Affinity’s Circus Workshop at the very end of the month, and it’ll provide them with a host of cool skills to take back to school with them. Master the tightrope, aerial hoop and stilts, and explore the world of unicycling, spinning plates, juggling and more. 

Ending the month on a high is Sea Ilfracombe Maritime Festival, an annual celebration of Ilfracombe’s unique coastal character and maritime history. The town will be completely alive with a range of different events involving the whole community - expect live music, stalls selling delicious food, as well as crafts, and a packed out programme of activities. These include everything from street entertainment to sailing lessons, so it’s bound to cater to everyone’s tastes.

As we say goodbye to summer, it’s prime time for to head to Rosemoor Gardens for the Taste of Autumn Artisan Food Fair. Featuring some of the best food traders in the South West, it’s the tastiest kind of treat for the family with interesting flavours to sample, produce to buy, and appearances from revered chefs, including Michelin-starred Michael Caines!

Well, there you have it - it’s going to be a very busy summer here in North Devon, and we can’t wait to get our teeth into all these events. But which ones have caught your eye? Let us know over on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram - and have a great August!