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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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Guided Geology Walk

Type

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Nature Walk

Sidmouth

Wednesdays weekly - 2pm. £2.50 per person (under 16s free).
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Dates

From:

17 May 2022to14 Sept 2022
Meditation for Inner Peace

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Participatory Event

Sidmouth

Sessions include a talk and practical guided meditations.
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Dates

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19 May 2022to19 May 2022
Sidmouth Sea Fest 2022 Friday Fundraising Party Night

Type

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Music

Sidmouth

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Dates

From:

20 May 2022to20 May 2022
Meet Picasso's Muse: Artist Lydia Corbett and Isabel Coulton

Type

Type:

Talk or Lecture

Sidmouth

A rare opportunity to meet the woman who inspired Picasso's 'Sylvette' series. For more information, please call 01395 515551 or email mail@kennawayhouse.org.uk

Dates

From:

20 May 2022to20 May 2022
Sidmouth Sea Fest

Type

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Festival

Sidmouth

The Sea Fest main event (free to all) on Saturday 21st May will kick off at 10am with an eclectic mix of art, craft, local groups, music, dance and literature and…

Dates

From:

21 May 2022to21 May 2022
Meditation for Inner Peace

Type

Type:

Participatory Event

Sidmouth

Everyone welcome! Sessions include a talk and practical guided meditations.
Attend any or all classes - just drop in!

Dates

From:

26 May 2022to26 May 2022
Curiouser and Curiouser - An Extraordinary Exhibition

Type

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Art

Sidmouth

Original artwork, prints, cards, handmade crafts.
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Dates

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27 May 2022to5 June 2022
Spring Art Sale

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Art

Sidmouth

Art Sale curated by Richard Gould and Janey Goddard

Dates

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27 May 2022to5 June 2022
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28 May 2022to29 May 2022
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Seasonal

Sidmouth

Sidmouth Town Band will once again begin their summer concerts on 29th May at 8pm and will then play every Sunday, from 8pm until 4th September. Find out more about the town…

Dates

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29 May 2022to4 Sept 2022
Sidmouth International Jazz & Blues Festival

Type

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Jazz

Sidmouth

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Dates

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1 June 2022to5 June 2022
Exploring Shakespeare's Women

Type

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Poetry & Literature

Sidmouth

An exciting day discovering the role of women in Shakespeare's work, with Madeleine Birch.

Dates

From:

8 June 2022to8 June 2022
Atmospheric Oils. Jenny Aitken. East Devon Art Academy.

Type

Type:

Art

Sidmouth

Jenny provides thoroughly informative teaching, with the overriding goal of people enjoying themselves! She wants people to feel encouraged, enabled and challenged. Includes…

Dates

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16 June 2022to17 June 2022
Watercolour Landscapes. Steve Hall. At East Devon Art Academy.

Type

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Art

Sidmouth

Learn from this popular and well-known watercolour artist. With a mixture of demonstrations, en plein air and studio work, Steve will guide you through the completion of two…

Dates

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21 June 2022to23 June 2022
Sidmouth in Bloom June Open Gardens Event

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Nature

Sidmouth

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23 June 2022to27 June 2022
Meditation for Inner Peace

Type

Type:

Participatory Event

Sidmouth

Everyone welcome! Sessions include a talk and practical guided meditations.
Attend any or all classes - just drop in!

Dates

From:

23 June 2022to23 June 2022
Meditation for Inner Peace

Type

Type:

Participatory Event

Sidmouth

Everyone welcome! Sessions include a talk and practical guided meditations.
Attend any or all classes - just drop in!

Dates

From:

23 June 2022to23 June 2022
Meditation for Inner Peace

Type

Type:

Participatory Event

Sidmouth

Everyone welcome! Sessions include a talk and practical guided meditations.
Attend any or all classes - just drop in!

Dates

From:

30 June 2022to30 June 2022
Oil Painting en Plein Air. Roger Dellar. At East Devon Art Academy.

Type

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Art

Sidmouth

Paint landscapes in oils with this acclaimed artist. Composition, colour mixing, and paint handling will be dealt with as well as the importance of good brushwork. £195 for…

Dates

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2 July 2022to4 July 2022
Meditation for Inner Peace

Type

Type:

Participatory Event

Sidmouth

Everyone welcome! Sessions include a talk and practical guided meditations.
Attend any or all classes - just drop in!

Dates

From:

7 July 2022to7 July 2022