Boost Your Dopamine, D-levels & Devon Social Life!
A new season means new adventures! Resist the temptation to hibernate just yet; embrace the autumnal shift by getting out there and getting creative, with these fun and inspiring ideas.
1/ Get your floral fix
Bathe yourself in nature with a trip to the idyllically situated Amelia’s Flower Farm. Located in the valley of Combeinteignhead, near the banks of the River Teign, owners Amelia and Giles invite you to come and while away a blissful few hours and pick your own beautiful bouquet while you’re at it. You have until November to take advantage of the range of heirloom, unusual and scented spoils on offer at this small-scale cut flower farm - all grown free from pesticides and chemical nasties BTW - and I encourage you to do just that. I also strongly encourage you to warm up after with coffee and cake on the balcony, before heading home to flex your fancy floristry skills. Show me a more wholesome day out. No? Thought not.
Saturdays until November, 10am - 4pm, Amelia’s Flower Farm, Combeinteignhead. £20 per bucket. ameliasflowerfarm.co.uk
2/ Head for the Castle!
Foodies, assemble! Devon’s not done with festivals just yet and this one is always a corker, speaking of which, champagne cider, anyone? It’s just one of dozens of tasty offerings to be sampled in the gorgeous grounds of Powderham Castle near Exeter over the weekend.
And you can expect fun, too (as if gorging on great food wasn’t enough); from chilli tasting, to face painting and axe throwing, the whole clan should find something to tempt them off the sofa. Plus, the ticket also allows you a wander around inside the castle, so you can fully tick off the Complete Powderham Experience. Just a fiver a ticket, you say? Grabs cash, proceeds to front door…
Sat 5 - Sun 6 October, Powderham Castle. Tickets £5, under 16s free. powderhamfoodfestival.com
3/ Stretch & Sketch
Does your 2024 To-Do List have ‘Try Something New’ written on it? Not ticked off yet? Can you even find said list?! Well then, let me help you get back on track, because this, my friend, could just fit the brief. Deep in the Dart Valley, the bucolic Sandridge Barton Estate, home of award-winning Sharpham Wines, is hosting a delightful-sounding Stretch & Sketch event.
I shall elaborate: pitch up at this riverside retreat and then prepare to immerse yourself in calm while you discover your creative flow. It starts with a nice slow yoga session (one for all abilities and designed for relaxation); the next step is, naturally, a mini wine tasting sesh to sample the estate’s vineyard offerings (be rude not to), before unleashing your creative side with a life drawing workshop. What a trio. And what a great antidote to the daily grind.
Sunday 13 October, 10.30am - 1.30pm, Sandridge Barton Wines, Stoke Gabriel. £50. More info and how to book here.
4/ Meet at the Mansion
If you work remotely, live in front of a screen and feel like the only mates you’ve met this past year have been online, I’m nodding and I’m also nudging you along to this, a social that might just be the best fiver you’ll spend this year.
Emily Hadley, AKA @emuplops and Rachael Cox of Wildings Studio are two local creatives, each doing great things in their spaces in the art, interiors and lifestyle world. Now they’ve struck gold with their idea of hosting an informal social to bring like-minded lovely people together In Real Life. A chance to meet the faces behind the accounts you might stalk! To be honest, they had me at ‘there will be tea and biscuits’, but the Mansion is a great meeting spot in the heart of Totnes and, being a Friday, it’ll be market day, so it’s the perfect excuse for a post-mingle mooch! I think you’ll like this one, so see you there, yeah?
Friday 18 October, 10am - 12pm, The Mansion, Totnes. Tickets £5. Book your ticket and get the deets here.
5/ ‘SUP, Mothecombe?
I am manifesting a calm, crunchy-leaved, sunny autumn and nobody is going to burst my bubble and tell me otherwise. To make the most of the post-holiday season when the coast is quieter, I am suggesting we hit the water, with a mood-boosting paddle, exploring the tranquil river ways that lead to Mothecombe beach.
This is one of the easier guided trips run by South West SUP and it’s one of the prettiest spots, for sure. Great for couples and friends, boards, paddles and helpful tips are provided, just dress appropriately, bring supplies for a hot drink stop and, if you don’t bring a big smile, you’ll be wearing one by the time you’re back on dry land. A great Sunday reset, no?
Sunday 27 October, 12pm, meeting and finishing at Mothecombe beach. £25 or £35 including board hire. Details here
6/Wellness Day Retreat
Picture it: you’re still hungover from all those garish Halloween potions and you’re determined to set your head straight before November properly gets going. Well, aren’t you thanking your sensible self for pre-booking this little beauty?
Devon Ladies is the brainchild of founder Ella Sampson, and it’s a community dedicated to bringing women together for fun meet-ups. This one is focused on relaxing and then recharging, with an afternoon of lovely mindful activities, from meditation to mini massages and soothing sound baths. And all against the scenic backdrop of the Ocean City’s Royal William Yard. Sounds like a bit of you? Sounds like you need to get booking!
Saturday 2 November, 1 - 4pm, BLOCK Gym, Royal William Yard, Plymouth. Tickets £35. Book here.
7/ Love Where You Live
Have you heard of the Wintertide Winter Market? If you haven’t and you love a beautifully curated gathering showcasing the South West’s shiniest creatives, then look ‘em up! This year’s is being planned as I write…but I digress!
I’m here to tell you about the Tide Workshops, created by the hosts of Wintertide Hannah and Zoe, in particular the aptly named Love Where You Live - which is why we’re all here, right? So, this is a day that promises to help you to focus on your connection to where you live, while enjoying a couple of expert-led creative workshops. You’ll reap the benefits of learning to journal, based around the theme of where you *ahem* Dwell; and then you’ll be guided through a lino-cutting print workshop, designing your own ‘Postcard From Home’ artwork. And it all takes place within the cosy confines of Buckfastleigh’s newest spot to gather, The Doe. Treat yourself, this sounds like a balm for the soul.
Wednesday 6 November, The Doe, Buckfastleigh. £120 including all materials, lunch, snacks and drinks. Find details and how to book here.
