Are you ready to fall in love with Budleigh? A hidden treasure, there are plenty of gems to discover. With lots of history behind the town, many traditions have popped up over the years. With plenty of annual events finding their home in Budleigh, we’ve decided to spotlight some of the ones that make our town so special.
Budleigh Literary Festival
Founded in 2008 by the late Susan Ward, the Literary Festival has become a staple in Budleigh’s events calendar. With the late Dame Hilary Mantel (1952-2022) acting as the Festival’s Honorary President, it has garnered fame and respect from the literary world. With famous faces, authors, poets and more descending upon the town each year, it certainly shouldn’t be missed!
Budleigh Music Festival
Each July, the Budleigh Music Festival comes into town and brings with it a variety of high-quality classical musicians. Acting as a platform for up-and-coming musicians, as well as those already established, the festival has an established connection with BBC’s Young Musician of the Year Competition, with a number of past winners performing at the festival! This even includes Sheku Kanneh-Mason who played in 2018 only a few months after performing at the Royal Wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Christmas Day Swim
Each year, residents and visitors alike take part in a chilly Christmas Day swim in Budleigh’s sea! Usually accompanied by Exmouth RNLI to ensure safety, 2022’s swim raised nearly £900 for the charity thanks to a collection by Budleigh Salterton Lion’s Club. Many take part in the event clad in fancy dress as they plunge into the cold winter seas. While it certainly isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, the event draws in hundreds of visitors to the town and has been a roaring success for many years.
