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Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival

16 minute drive from Sidmouth. For 2020 the festival will be a mix of virtual and live events,…

Sidmouth Literary Festival

Every year Sidmouth welcomes bibliophiles from all over the country to the town’s literature festival, a celebration of all things bookish with workshops, talks and of course, the chance to buy bestsellers and obscure titles alike. The festival has taken place every summer since 2015 after being founded by Wayne Winstone, owner of Winstone’s Books (of which there is a branch in the town), Di Bowerman, Jane Corey and many others who are both fans of books and work in the industry.

Devon, and by extension, Sidmouth, has long inspired authors and poets with its beautiful scenery and fascinating history, making this region the best for hosting Literary Festivals. The world’s most famous crime writer, Agatha Christie is from the county and J R R Tolkein who has wowed generations with his Lord of the Rings books had a holiday home in Sidmouth, at which he wrote some of the story’s best loved passages. If that wasn’t enough of an indication of the region’s credentials, the Regency feel of the town is almost like stepping into a Jane Austen novel – perfect for a weekend talking about books!

Sun, Sea, Books

Sidmouth Literary Festival – Sun, Sea, Books is the must visit event for anyone who loves reading, writing or generally being creative. Each year, the festival brings big names in publishing to Sidmouth for two days of fascinating discussion.

Taking place at venues all over the town including some of the grand Regency hotels, local churches, theatres and other iconic venues, you’re never too far away from a bookish activity when visiting Sidmouth in June. Previous attendees of the festival have included authors such as Adele Parks, Bryony Gordon and Terry Waite, with workshops and activities ranging from how to get published to where to find inspiration and motivation to write your own bestseller. The 2019 line-up included Sidmouth’s own author Jane Corry who was joined by Lesley Pearse, the multi best selling author and Ruth Ware.

Activities that won’t break the bank

While there are some aspects of the festival that carry a charge many of the events and workshops are free to attend – you can find out more about the most recent news and details about prices on the festival’s official website: sidmouthlitfest.co.uk

Tickets for Sidmouth Literary Festival events are also available from Winstone’s book shop on Sidmouth High Street or online here, Sidmouth’s Tourist Information Centre on Ham Lane and Sidmouth Library which is on Blackmore Drive.

For more information, email sidmouthlitfest1@gmail.com or visit one of the above.

Never too many books

If you are a big fan of books, Sidmouth’s Literary Festival is the place to be this summer, but it isn’t the only bookish event you can enjoy. Nearby Budleigh Salterton also has an annual literature festival which has been running for over ten years. The Festival is supported by author Hilary Mantel who is the Honorary President and regularly appears at the festival to speak on panels and run workshops.

Find out more information here.

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Ongoing Events

Guided Bird Watching Cruise

Type

Type:

Talk or Lecture

Exmouth

The Exe Estuary is a designated Ramsar Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), internationally recognised for its prolific migratory bird life during winter. Thousands of…

Dates

From:

28 Feb 2021to28 Feb 2021

From:

11 Mar 2021to11 Mar 2021

From:

13 Mar 2021to13 Mar 2021
RICHARD JONES

Type

Type:

Major Event

LYME REGIS

Lance Corporal Richard Jones is the only magician to ever win Britain’s Got Talent. He’s a world-class celebrity performer seen entertaining at royal parties and in theatres…

Dates

From:

5 Mar 2021to5 Mar 2021
LAWRENCE: AFTER ARABIA WITH DIRECTOR Q&A

Type

Type:

Film

LYME REGIS

28 minute drive from Sidmouth.
This is a special pre-release screening of a film shot in Dorset with a mainly local cast and crew, including a Q&A with its director. It…

Dates

From:

11 Mar 2021to11 Mar 2021
THE LYME REGIS BIG BEER FESTIVAL

Type

Type:

Festival

LYME REGIS

28 minute drive from Sidmouth.
*THIS EVENT IS RESCHEDULED TO FRI 02-SAT 03 APRIL 2021 - please save the date!!*
With over 20 beers and 20 live acts across the…

Dates

From:

2 Apr 2021to3 Apr 2021
THE STRAWBS

Type

Type:

Music

LYME REGIS

28 minute drive from Sidmouth.
Dave Cousin's legendary band originate from the 60s and traverse rock, folk, bluegrass, and prog. Former members include Sandy Denny,…

Dates

From:

16 Apr 2021to16 Apr 2021
Exeter Canal Cruise

Type

Type:

Animal/Wildlife

Exmouth Marina, Exmouth

27 minute drive from Sidmouth.
Join us travelling at a relaxing pace as we sail along Exeter Canal, sit back and soak up the scenery, watch the locks come to life, the…

Dates

From:

4 May 2021to4 May 2021

From:

21 May 2021to21 May 2021

From:

2 June 2021to2 June 2021

From:

19 June 2021to19 June 2021

From:

2 July 2021to2 July 2021

From:

19 July 2021to19 July 2021

From:

15 Sept 2021to15 Sept 2021

From:

30 Sept 2021to30 Sept 2021
SCOTT MATTHEWS

Type

Type:

Music

LYME REGIS

28 minute drive from Sidmouth.
We're delighted to welcome the Ivor Novello award-winning singer songwriter for a very special solo concert.
If there’s one quality…

Dates

From:

20 May 2021to20 May 2021
Brotherhood of Man

Type

Type:

Concert

Seaton

19 minute drive from Sidmouth.
BROTHERHOOD OF MAN at Seaton Tramway BROTHERHOOD OF MAN comes to Seaton Traway 22th May 2021! Food and drink will be avaliable to…

Dates

From:

22 May 2021to22 May 2021
LAU

Type

Type:

Music

LYME REGIS

28 minute drive from Sidmouth.
For the first time in over a decade, Lau present an entirely acoustic tour. The pioneering Scottish folk trio have always experimented…

Dates

From:

18 June 2021to18 June 2021
Countess Wear Evening Cruise

Type

Type:

Animal/Wildlife

Exmouth Marina, Exmouth

27 minute drive from Sidmouth
Spend an incredible summer's night relaxing and watching the sunset on the water on our Countess Wear Evening Cruise. There are only a few…

Dates

From:

25 June 2021to25 June 2021

From:

24 July 2021to24 July 2021

From:

22 Aug 2021to22 Aug 2021
Lyme Regis Lifeboat Week

Type

Type:

Festival

LYME REGIS

28 minute drive from Sidmouth.
Lyme Regis Lifeboat Week is a week full of fun, from a teddy bears picnic, pavement art to a bathtub race. There will be various displays,…

Dates

From:

24 July 2021to31 July 2021
Sidmouth Folk Festival

Type

Type:

Festival

Sidmouth

Sidmouth Folk Week is a unique week-long seaside celebration of music, dance and song taking place in the charming East Devon regency coastal resort – a must in every…

Dates

From:

30 July 2021to6 Aug 2021
Lyme Regis Regatta & Carnival Week

Type

Type:

Carnival

Lyme Regis

28 minute drive from Sidmouth.
A variety of events during Lyme Regis Regatta & Carnival Week including carnival procession, regatta races. Activities and events for all…

Dates

From:

7 Aug 2021to14 Aug 2021
Lyme Regis Folk Festival

Type

Type:

Performance

Lyme Regis

28 minute drive from Sidmouth.
CANCELLED - But please save the date for 27-30 August 2021!!
Lyme Folk Weekend has quickly become one of the most popular events of…

Dates

From:

27 Aug 2021to30 Aug 2021
Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival

Type

Type:

Festival

Budleigh Salterton

16 minute drive from Sidmouth.
For 2020 the festival will be a mix of virtual and live events, depending on restrictions.
Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival…

Dates

From:

15 Sept 2021to19 Sept 2021
Sidmouth and East Devon Walking Festival

Type

Type:

Walking

Sidmouth

Sidmouth has some wonderful scenic walking both coastal and inland.
Join us for a fabulous week of free guided walks; discover the wonderful scenic coastal walking of…

Dates

From:

18 Sept 2021to24 Sept 2021
Friends of the Byes Community Group

Type

Type:

Community

Sidmouth

Meet on Saturday mornings. 10am - 12 midday. New volunteers welcome. Please call Kati on 07817 041239, email FOTByes@ gmail.com, or find us on Facebook.

Dates

From:

15 Oct 2021to15 Oct 2021
Ottery St Mary - Tar Barrels

Type

Type:

Show/Display

Ottery St Mary

14 minute drive from Sidmouth.
Every year, for reasons lost in antiquity, the Flaming Tar Barrels are carried through the streets of Ottery St Mary to the delight of…

Dates

From:

5 Nov 2021to5 Nov 2021
Curious About Lyme Regis

Type

Type:

Participatory Event

Lyme Regis

28 minute drive from Sidmouth
Have fun discovering Lyme Regis with two, quirky, heritage walks with an optional treasure hunt. Buy in booklet or instant download format.…

Dates

From:

25 Oct 2020to27 Mar 2021
Guided Fossil Hunting Walks - Jurassic Gems

Type

Type:

Guided Walk

Lyme Regis

28 minute drive from Sidmouth.
Jurassic Gems guided fossil walks, times vary according to the tide. Booking essential.

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2021to31 Dec 2021