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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

Craft Fair

Type

Type:

Arts and Culture

Sidmouth

Variety of craft stalls selling locally made crafts. Tea and coffee available.

Dates

From:

2 Oct 2021to2 Oct 2021
Sidmouth Science Festival

Type

Type:

Festival

Sidmouth

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…

Dates

From:

8 Oct 2021to17 Oct 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
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:

27 Nov 2021to27 Nov 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 Feb 2022to18 Feb 2022
Keswick in Devon

Type

Type:

Talk or Lecture

Sidmouth

A stimulating and challenging week of Bible teaching, worship and prayer attracting people from all over the UK. A main speakers Marcus Honeysett and Amy Orr-Ewing will be…

Dates

From:

7 Mar 2022to11 Mar 2022
Sidmouth International Jazz & Blues Festival

Type

Type:

Jazz

Sidmouth

“Good music is good no matter what kind of music it is.” Miles Davis
For more information about our hugely exciting plans for the Sidmouth International Jazz & Blues…

Dates

From:

1 June 2022to5 June 2022
Antique Valuations with Bearnes, Hampton & Littlewood at Kennaway House

Type

Type:

Antiques

Sidmouth

Weekly art and antique valuations will return to Kennaway House: Thursdays weekly, from 2pm-4pm
As the largest fine art auctioneers and valuers in the South West of…

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2021to31 Dec 2021
Friendship Club

Type

Type:

Community

Sidmouth

For people over 50 living alone. The Royal York & Faulkner Hotel, Sidmouth. 2-4pm. Tea & chat £3. Monthly (1st Sunday). Make friends, lunches out, theatre, cinema, coach…

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2021to31 Dec 2021
Sidmouth Museum Opening

Type

Type:

Local Culture

SIDMOUTH

Sidmouth Museum open to welcome visitors once again. New for 2021 - Sidmouth's Jurassic Coast, the Digital History of Sidmouth - From Fishing Village to fashionable Seaside…

Dates

From:

21 June 2021to27 Nov 2021
Sidmouth Voluntary Services Morning Cafe

Type

Type:

Food and Drink

Sidmouth

Tea/coffee/hot chocolate and toasted teacakes. Different activities and homemade cake with Lisa every Friday: bingo, armchair exercise, words in words/Scrabble, table…

Dates

From:

23 Aug 2021to1 Oct 2021
Guided Western Sidmouth Walk

Type

Type:

Nature Walk

Sidmouth

Tuesdays weekly, 10:30am. £2.50 per person (under 16s free).
Guided stroll around the Western side of town, hearing about a Royal Death, King Chit and the Field by the…

Dates

From:

24 Aug 2021to28 Sept 2021
Guided Geology Walk

Type

Type:

Nature Walk

Sidmouth

Wednesdays weekly - 2pm. £2.50 per person (under 16s free).
Along the Esplanade to learn about the Jurassic Coast, geology and formation. No booking required.

Dates

From:

25 Aug 2021to6 Oct 2021
The Oasis Drop In Cafe

Type

Type:

Community

All Saints Road, Sidmouth

Wednesdays weekly - 12:45pm - 2:15pm.
A warm welcome, positive conversations and a cuppa. COVID-19 regulations will be adhered to.

Dates

From:

25 Aug 2021to29 Sept 2021
Guided Eastern Sidmouth Walk

Type

Type:

Nature

Sidmouth

Thursdays weekly - 10:30am. £2.50 per person (under 16s free).
Discover the history of Blackmore Gardens and tunnels, the Poorhouse and Jail, Elysian Fields and a…

Dates

From:

26 Aug 2021to30 Sept 2021
Guided Tree Walk

Type

Type:

Nature Walk

Sidmouth

Fridays weekly.
Meet 10.30am for stroll through hidden paths and historic parkland. £2.50pp (under 16 free). c2hrs – fairly level walk on tarmac footpaths.

Dates

From:

27 Aug 2021to1 Oct 2021
Duplicate Bridge

Type

Type:

Community

Sidmouth

Mondays & Thursdays Weekly - 1pm for 1.30pm start Visitors welcome. Booking required: 01395 515524

Dates

From:

30 Aug 2021to7 Oct 2021
Whist Drive

Type

Type:

Community

Sidmouth

Mondays weekly - 2pm.
£3. All whist players welcome. Enquiries: 01395 514715.

Dates

From:

30 Aug 2021to4 Oct 2021
Rubber Bridge

Type

Type:

Community

Sidmouth

Tuesdays Weekly 1.30 for 1.45pm start. Visitors welcome. Enquiries : 01395 515524.

Dates

From:

31 Aug 2021to5 Oct 2021