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

Sidmouth Science Festival

Sidmouth has been playing host to its own Science Festival for over five years and with each year, the event grows in popularity. The festivals each follow a new theme and feature activities and workshops for families of all ages to get involved with. Having started out as a weekend event in 2012, it now runs across ten days, is aimed at all ages and many of the events are free, meaning everyone can join in!

So whatever scientific field you’re interested in, make sure to visit the Sidmouth Science Festival for hours of entertaining talks and workshops covering everything from dinosaurs to rockets, lights to weather and even jet cars!

Celebrate science in Sidmouth!

The Science Festival takes place in October every year and the week long event incorporates Ada Lovelace Day, an international celebration of the achievements of women in science, where eminent female scientists travel to Sidmouth to talk about their work and the impact it has on the wider world. If this wasn’t enough, there are projects and demonstrations taking place in schools, colleges and venues throughout the town, allowing for those that like serious science talks and fun hands on activities alike.

One venue that hosts workshops and events is the Norman Lockyer Observatory, which has stood in the town since the 1900s. The building takes its name from Norman Lockyer, an amateur astronomer who, during the Victorian era, discovered the element Helium and was one of the founders of a popular science journal. Throughout his long and varied career, he became director of the Solar Physics Observatory in South Kensington, London and was the first professor in Astronomical Physics in what is now the Royal College of Science. He was knighted in 1897 and retired to Sidmouth, where the observatory now stands. The Norman Lockyer Observatory allows guests and locals to continue to take part in amateur astronomics. The observatory contains several historic and modern telescopes as well as a planetarium and plenty of other fascinating exhibits, making it the perfect venue for the annual Science Festival.

Fascinating guest speakers

Throughout its run, Sidmouth Science Festival has attracted a wide range of fascinating scientists who come to the town to run workshops and give talks in their chosen fields. In 2018, Sidmouth’s science fans welcomed Professor Graeme Stephens FRS from the NASA Centre for Climate Science as well as Professor Iain Stewart and Marty Jopson. In 2019, guests included Dame Julia Slingo FRS and De Adam Rutherford alongside a host of fun workshops and activities including visiting local breweries and wineries to see science in real life, bat identification evenings and Family Fun Days where you can take part in interactive science experiments. One of the most popular activities from previous festivals has been the Interactive Science Trail which takes place along Sidmouth seafront, allowing you to enjoy the town’s historic regency feel, a day at the beach and the fun of science all at the same time!

Can’t make it to this year’s Festival? Don’t worry, that doesn’t mean your trip to Sidmouth has to be free of scientific discovery and discussion. Throughout the year, the team behind the Science Festival run the Café Scientifique, which meets once a month to listen to speakers from the world of science.

Find out more about Sidmouth Science Festival including the latest programme, dates and venues online at sidmouthsciencefestival.org

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Exeter Canal Cruise

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Animal/Wildlife

Exmouth Marina, Exmouth

27 minute drive from Sidmouth.
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19 June 2021to19 June 2021

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2 July 2021to2 July 2021

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Rainbow Run Your Way

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Family

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19 June 2021to20 June 2021
Day trip to Sidmouth

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Maritime

Exmouth

Have a great day out in Devon by taking a boat trip to enjoy the Regency town of Sidmouth.
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20 June 2021to20 June 2021

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3 July 2021to3 July 2021

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Type

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Local Culture

SIDMOUTH

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Type

Type:

Animal/Wildlife

Exmouth Marina, Exmouth

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25 June 2021to25 June 2021

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Sidmouth Eats Boutique

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Dates

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25 June 2021to25 June 2021

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23 July 2021to23 July 2021

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27 Aug 2021to27 Aug 2021
Seaton Eats Boutique

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Local Culture

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2 July 2021to2 July 2021

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Budleigh Music Festival

Type

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Lyme Regis Lifeboat Week

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Festival

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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,…

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Sidmouth Folk Festival

Type

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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…

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30 July 2021to6 Aug 2021
The Sidmouth Folk Festival

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A national treasure – a major cultural institution held every year in the first week of August since 1955 attracting tens of thousands of visitors.
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30 July 2021to6 Aug 2021
Lyme Regis Regatta & Carnival Week

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Carnival

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7 Aug 2021to14 Aug 2021
Lyme Regis Folk Festival

Type

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Performance

Lyme Regis

28 minute drive from Sidmouth.
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Dates

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27 Aug 2021to30 Aug 2021
Sidmouth Airshow 2021

Type

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Air / Air Show

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175th Anniversary Exhibition Sid Vale Association

Type

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Community

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Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival

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Festival

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Dates

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15 Sept 2021to19 Sept 2021
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Type

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Walking

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Sidmouth has some wonderful scenic walking both coastal and inland.
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Dates

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Sidmouth Classic Car Show

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Car & Motor Vehicles

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Sidmouth Science Festival

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Type:

Festival

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Dates

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8 Oct 2021to17 Oct 2021
Friends of the Byes Community Group

Type

Type:

Community

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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.

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From:

15 Oct 2021to15 Oct 2021