September is the month of ‘back to school’, crisper, shorter days, and harvests. Teignbridge marks all of this and more with festivals and heritage events. Here are nine you shouldn’t miss.
1) Bovey Festival of Food and Craft.
Saturday September 7.
The best food, drinks and crafts from Teignbridge and beyond are on show at this one-day festival. Fore Street will be packed with more than 65 stalls where you can try and buy everything from gin and cocktails to brownies and cheese. Local crafters will show off their wares in the Methodist Church Hall.
2) Newton Abbot Town Criers Competition.
10:15am-2pm Saturday September 7th.
Courtenay Street will be filled with shouts of Oyez Oyez as town criers compete to be the best in this ancient event. St Leonards Clock Tower will be open for tours and children will be entertained with craft activities, face painting and balloon modelling.
3) Bishopsteignton Village Show
2pm-5pm Saturday September 7 and 11am-4pm Sunday September 8.
Marvel at the talents of Bishopsteignton residents at the village’s annual show. Creations on show range from flowers and vegetables to handicrafts and photography.
4) Widecombe Fair.
9am ‘til late Tuesday September 10th.
Borrow a grey mare and head to Widecombe Fair. Steeped in tradition, you’ll see livestock and farm machinery, demonstrations and competitions including the Uncle Tom Cobley downhill race and bale tossing. Adult tickets £10 in advance £12 on the door. Children under 16 Free.
5) Ashburton Food Festival
10am-5pm Saturday September 14.
A foodie’s paradise featuring everything from Devon-made ciders to exotic world foods, along with entertainment and workshops. Entry to the street market is free with some paid, ticketed activities during the day.
6) Teignmouth Pride Street Festival
5pm Friday September 13 to 5pm Sunday September 15
Hollands Road Teignmouth is home to a weekend of live music, drag acts and a street market to celebrate diversity and inclusion in and around the ‘Gem of South Devon’.
7) AbbFest
September 19-22.
Fermoy’s Garden Centre is the place to head for a weekend festival of live music, locally produced beer and cider, chef demonstrations and a food and craft market raising money for local charities and organisations.
8) Buckfastleigh Green Fair
11am-3pm Saturday September 28.
Buckfastleigh Town Hall hosts the town’s second green fair where visitors can find out about Buckfastleigh’s green initiatives, get advice and hear from speakers including local author John Walters and a representative from the Barn Owl Trust.
9) Heritage Open Days
Various dates between September 6-15.
An annual celebration of history and culture where you can visit hidden gems and try out new places for free. In Teignbridge you can visit: Castle Drogo and the Castle Drogo Hydro Turbine; Neadon Barn in Manaton for the Dartmoor Light and Shadow exhibition; St Peter and St Paul Church in Teigngrace to find out about the Templers; Newton Abbot Museum and Old Forde House in Newton Abbot; Teign Heritage Centre for the ‘sun, sea and shifting sands’ exhibition of paintings and prints; Powderham Castle and St Clements Church; and Whiteway House near Chudleigh.
