Unmissable Events in South Devon 2020
What’s On in 2020: Important Dates for your South Devon Diaries
As we embark on another trip round the sun, here’s a reminder of some of the many brilliant events taking place throughout South Devon during 2020.
Salcombe Crab Festival, 3rd May
Regarded as the best tasting crab in the world, Cancer Pagurus (that’s ‘brown crab’ for all those who aren’t fluent in Latin) nabs centre stage at this annual gathering that continues to attract food lovers from far and wide. Celebrating this famous local delicacy and Salcombe’s indomitable fishing fleet, this popular festival now welcomes many of the region’s top gastronomes, with the likes of Saturday Kitchen’s Matt Tebbutt and pioneering seafood chef Jack Stein among the visiting connoisseurs to perform live cooking demonstrations and share their expert advice. This year, why not book a spring break in sunny Salcombe and sample some seafood delights.
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Dart Music Fest, 15th – 17th May
The clock is counting down to the next Dart Music Festival, another of South Devon’s eagerly anticipated events. This three-day musical extravaganza quite literally takes over the port of Dartmouth – famous for its rich, maritime history – with concerts and gigs staged all over the town. It’s one of the West Country’s most eclectic music festivals, a smorgasbord of styles; anything from country, folk, blues rock and jazz-funk to funky choir, classical soprano, sea shanties and bell ringing… to name but a few! Take a look at Toad Hall Cottages’ growing list of Dartmouth holiday properties scattered both in and around this charming coastal town. From plush waterside apartments and handsome town houses to cosy cottages and seaside boltholes, let us help you find your perfect South Devon setting.
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Kingsbridge Food & Music Festival, 29th – 31st May
Another one of the South Ham’s FREE events, and this time it’s the pretty, harbourside town of Kingsbridge that draws in the crowds for a weekend full of delicious food and barnstorming beats. The town square is the setting for this intimate festival that over the years has entertained its audiences with some exciting musical line-ups. Avenues of food stalls and popup bars line the outer ring while the bandstand provides the main stage. There’s also plenty of family-friendly activities on offer upon the library green. Last year’s headline acts included the ‘high energy foot-stompin’ rhythms’ of Noble Jacks and the relentless UK folk punk band Black Water County.
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Totnes Carnival, 4th July
The historic streets of Totnes will be adorned by flowers and bunting for the annual grand carnival parade, an event that always delights the expectant throng of spectators. The procession is the culmination of a week’s worth of exhilarating activities, and is full of dazzling floats, marching bands and fancy dress. A celebration of life in this thriving riverside town, it’s a great time to enjoy the delights of the high street and rub shoulders with the locals. A more friendly and fun-filled event you will not find.
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Ways With Words, Dartington Hall, 10th – 20th July
Surrounded by acres of rolling countryside, the Dartington Hall Estate is a hub for arts and culture. Ways With Words is a world-renowned festival where people unite to share language and ideas, while listening to talks from inspirational creatives. This riveting gathering spans ten days with this year’s inspiring programme expected to be available in May. Now in its 18th year, you won’t find a more invigorating meeting of literary minds. Dartington Hall can be found close to the banks of the River Dart, only a couple of miles from the medieval market town of Totnes, famous for its bustling high street and handsome town houses. Here you’ll discover an enticing selection of Toad Hall Cottages holiday homes and be able to find the ideal base for all your South Devon adventures.
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Kingsbridge Fair Week, 18th – 25th July
Steeped in history and time-honoured tradition, Kingsbridge Fair Week is one of South Devon’s oldest get-togethers, crammed full of exciting activities, live music, parades, fireworks and a week-long fun fair. Sporting contests help make up the busy schedule where madcap events such as the estuary raft race and three-legged, fancy-dress pub crawl are firm fair week favourites. Kingsbridge Fair Week 10K Road Race has been described as one of the toughest routes in the region, attracting hundreds of plucky road runners ready to take on the hills and dales around the town. The week culminates with a flamboyant carnival procession and a lively party on the town square. Make a date with the characterful harbourside town of Kingsbridge when you book a stay with Toad Hall Cottages.
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Frogmore Regatta, August (Date TBC)
Set in the heart of the South Hams, the delightful village of Frogmore lies at the head of a tranquil tidal creek. Every year, during the early days of August when the grass is at its lushest and the days are blissful and long, Frogmore stages its much-loved regatta. Expect good, old-fashioned family fun on both land and water, anything from raft and mud racing to Morris dancing and tug-of-war – just a taste of what takes place on Frogmore creek and green. Surrounded by some of the region’s most beautiful beaches, miles of Devonshire green lanes, sleepy meadows and ancient woodland, Frogmore is a hidden gem.
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Salcombe Town Regatta, 1st – 8th August
The sparkling seaside town of Salcombe is one of the region’s most desirable holiday destinations. Encompassed by a series of golden, sandy beaches and steeped in maritime history, this much-loved coastal corner is also a hive of activity come the summer months. The annual town regatta is the pinnacle of the town’s social calendar, with events and activities on both land and sea. Sailors can revel in the harbour’s busy racing schedule, while landlubbers will love the live music, games, fireworks and family fun. Many of our returning guests coincide their Salcombe holidays with this traditional week-long gala.
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Dartmouth Royal Regatta, 27th – 29th August
Dubbed the ‘gem of the South Hams’, the illustrious port town of Dartmouth, with its winding Elizabethan Streets, historic slip ways and sparkling wharfs, plays host to one of the liveliest events on the South Devon calendar. An action-packed sailing programme is matched only by a crammed medley of harbourside activities. Expect live music, fireworks, sporting contests, family-friendly games and shenanigans, and much, much more! Steeped in rich, maritime history and home to the prestigious Britannia Royal Naval College, it’s easy to see why so many of our guests return to this characterful port year-on-year.
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Hope Cove Weekend, 29th – 31st August
This is a charming seaside bash hosted by one of the area’s most idyllic coastal villages. The golden sands of Hope Cove are the stage for three days of beach games, folk dances, hog roasts and frivolity. Surrounded by spectacular coastal walks and a sweep of the magnificent headland that undulates from Bolt Head to Bigbury Bay, the adorable fishing village of Hope Cove is one of the most desirable holiday destinations in the South West and is home to a long list of Toad Hall holiday cottages.
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Dartmouth Food Festival, 23rd – 25th October
This scrumptious autumn festival is a must for all foodies. Described by The Telegraph as a ‘heady mix of celebrity chefs, parties, food markets, tasting shacks and cooking demos’ this delicious event continues to attract some of the region’s most celebrated chefs and food critics, all combining to make one of the most important weekends on the South Hams social colander calendar! Everyone is welcome to come and savour this sizzling gathering and sample some of the South West’s many taste sensations.
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Set a date with sunny South Devon when you book a stay with Toad Hall Cottages.