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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 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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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