Don’t let anybody tell you Devon is just about sandy beaches, bleak moors and clotted cream. In this newsletter content<\/a> for holiday rental agency Discovery Holiday Homes<\/a>, we look at the county’s very best summer festivals.<\/p>\n

There really is something for everyone this summer in Devon, whether you’re a crime fiction buff or a jazz music lover. There’s the International Agatha Christie Festival, which usually features workshops and murder mystery-themed events. It runs from 11 to 20 September at Torre Abbey and celebrates what would have been the famed author\u2019s 125th birthday. There’s also the Teignmouth Folk Festival, held in South Devon between June 19 and 21. There will be the usual English folk fare like Morris dancing, but also performances with their roots in America\u2019s Appalachian region. Other festivals include Glas-Denbury Music Festival (July 10 to 11), a child-friendly alternative to the hedonism of soundalike Glastonbury festival, and the Tiverton Balloons and Music Festivals (July 10 to 12), which somehow manages to combine hot air balloons and wonderful jazz music into a single fun-filled weekend.<\/p>\n

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. From a festival devoted to the deliciousness of crabs to a world-class regatta, Devon has a whole host of fun to offer visitors this summer. Scroll down to see all our seasonal recommendations.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Summer is festival season. In Devon, those precious warm months are packed with celebrations and fun. In fact, there\u2019s rarely a weekend when something isn\u2019t happening. There is food to be eaten, beers to be drunk and live music to be listened to, as well as sports, literary and maritime events to attend. Whatever your interests, there is bound to be a festival to suit you. So if you’re planning a getaway to Devon this summer, read our festival guide…<\/p>\n

SOUTH DEVON<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Teignmouth Folk Festival<\/a>
\nJune 19 to 21
\nRent a holiday home in Teignmouth over this weekend and you\u2019ll find that \u2013 even if you\u2019re not attending the festival \u2013 the buzzing atmosphere in town is palpable. There are all kinds of folk performances taking place throughout the seaside resort, with venues ranging from a church to a seafront pub. Expect to hear guitars, accordions and sublime folk harmonies and to see Morris and Appalachian dancers. Weekend tickets are available or alternatively, you can pay a one-off entry fee for access to certain events.<\/p>\n

Glas-Denbury Music Festival<\/a>
\nJuly 10 and 11
\nThis cleverly named event may not enjoy the same level of media hype as the annual mudfest that inspires its name, but what you give up in glamour, you gain in grass-roots charm. For families, it is hard to beat. Kids under 12 go free with a ticketholder and there will be child-friendly circus and ventriloquist performers, as well as plenty of local musicians, comedians and spoken-word artists. Plus, the open, down-to-earth atmosphere means attendees can mix and mingle with performers.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

South Devon Crab Festival<\/a>
\nAugust 2
\nNothing signals summer like al fresco eating and this shellfish-centric event takes place in a suitably summery marquee on Dartmouth\u2019s South Embankment. The event is an outdoor ode to the delicious South Devon Crab and is organised by chef and avid seafood champion, Mitch Tonks, who owns Dartmouth\u2019s Seahorse and Rockfish restaurants. Crack fresh local crab, sip on wine and enjoy live music and front-row river views. Angela Hartnett, the chef and patron of Michelin-starred Murano in London, will be on hand to host.<\/p>\n

Dartmouth Royal Regatta<\/a>
\nAugust 27 to 29
\nFor one weekend in late August, the small port town of Dartmouth swells in size as visitors from all over the country arrive here to watch range of water-based activities. Cheer on rowers and sailors during the competitions and hang around town soaking up the exciting festival atmosphere that permeates. Additional events, including a swanky black-tie ball, a down-home hoedown and fireworks displays, enhance the programme.<\/p>\n

Fishstock Brixham<\/a>
\nSeptember 5
\nAn annual fundraiser for the Fishermen\u2019s Mission, this one-day fest is devoted to all things fish. There will be fresh fish in abundance, as well as live cooking and kitchen skills demonstrations. Kids can play around on a bouncy slide and learn about seafood preparation. Live music, dance, art exhibits, artisan traders and educational maritime displays round out the offerings.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The International Agatha Christie Festival<\/a>
\nSeptember 11 to 20
\nThis much-loved crime lit fest is set to be bigger than ever this year as it marks the 125th anniversary of the Queen of Crime\u2019s birth. It takes place in the stately Torre Abbey \u2013 just 25 minutes\u2019 drive north from Greenway, Christie\u2019s beloved holiday home. The gardens here include the Potent Plant plot, which features many of the poisonous specimens that appeared in Christie\u2019s novels. Keep an ear out for the 2015 line-up announcement. Previously, the festival has included everything from writing workshops to murder mystery evenings.<\/p>\n

NORTH DEVON<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

GoldCoast Oceanfest<\/a>
\nJune 19 to 21
\nOcean sports and music take centre stage at this laid-back festival in Croyde. Top British talent Roots Manuva and Michael Kiwanuka top the music bill. Sports-wise, there is an exhilarating offering that ranges from yoga, beach soccer and circus skills to open ocean swims, stand-up paddleboarding and coasteering, as well as surfing. The drop-dead beachfront setting and intimate size add to its appeal. There is no on-site overnight accommodation, so be sure to rent a bolthole in\u00a0Croyde<\/a>\u00a0if you plan on attending.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Tiverton Balloons and Music Festivals<\/a>
\nJuly 10 to 12
\nThis high-flying festival is quite the spectacle. For many, the highlight is the Night Glow choreographed balloon show, during which hot-air balloons are fired up en masse, rising like glowing orbs into the night sky. Meanwhile, lantern processions and fire jugglers add to the atmosphere at ground level. Other events scheduled include games of giant balloon football, drama and poetry sessions and live music ranging from jazz to samba to hip hop.<\/p>\n

Fired up about Devon’s festivals? There’s even more to see – click here<\/a> to read the rest of the newsletter. You can see other great travel content by the World Words team in our portfolio<\/a>, or get in touch with us on Twitter<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Images: Mystery Collection by Kenny Louie. Link to licence<\/a>; Croyde Sunset by Stuart Webster. Link to licence.<\/a>
\n<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Don’t let anybody tell you Devon is just about sandy beaches, bleak moors and clotted cream. In this newsletter content for holiday rental agency Discovery Holiday Homes, we look at the county’s very best summer festivals. There really is something … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1829],"tags":[1301,1380,1409,1411,1412,1413,1414,1415,149,1416,895,1417,934,1418,1153,1427,1428,1253,1410,1169,1150],"yoast_head":"\n