With schools due back from early September this is a great time to visit Devon while the sun (hopefully) still shines or, if you’re local, enjoy playing tourist in your own backyard. But what’s on in Devon as the autumn kicks off? Here’s our guide to the top things to do in Devon in September 2025.
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Events in Devon this September
Here’s what’s on in Devon for families this September:
Bubble & Bop at Pennywell Farm near Buckfastleigh – daily until 1 September 2025
There’s a whole host of bubbly fun happening at Pennywell Farm is this summer with music, games and bubble themed photo opportunities as well as all the usual farm fun.
Meet the Pennywell mascot Pippa and don’t miss a cuddle with the farm’s famous micro pigs.
READER OFFER: get seven days for the price of one. Find out more on my Devon discounts page.
To get the low down and buy tickets visit the Pennywell website.
Rainbow summer trail at Seaton Wetlands – until 1 September 2025
Wild East Devon is running a free fun trail at Seaton Wetlands this summer. Pick up a Rainbow Trail map at the Look Out or Discovery Hut and complete the fun challenges for a chance to win a bug hunting kit.
Find out more about this free summer activity.
Summer fun at RHS Rosemoor – daily until 1 September 2025
From the daily Guess How Much I Love You™ garden trail to outdoor adventures like tree climbing and den building, there’s loads of summer activities planned at RHS Rosemoor in Great Torrington.
Find out more about what’s on this summer at RHS Rosemoor.
Summer events at Made-Well CIC in Hatherleigh – selected dates until 2 September 2025
This summer Made-Well CIC is hosting a range of family-friendly activities including its annual summer fayre, animal club special, pottery painting, and a fun garden trail for all ages.
Visitors can also enjoy the free inclusive playground, explore the accessible garden with trail, and meet the friendly animals. The site includes a Changing Places toilet and is fully wheelchair accessible, with a on-site café serving refreshments throughout the day.
Find out more on the Made-Well events website.
Summer of Play at National Trust properties – until 3 September 2025
Don’t miss the last opportunity to take part in the National Trust’s Summer of Play is back and has had a revamp!.
Create, explore, move, wonder and make-believe with a range of activities.
Summer of Play activities are sponsored by Starling Bank and included in the standard entrance fee to properties.
Participating properties include:
- Arlington Court near Barnstaple – until 1 September 2025
- Killerton near Exeter – until 7 September 2025
- Knightshayes near Tiverton – until 2 September 2025
- Greenway near Churston in South Devon – until 3 September 2025
- Coleton Fishacre near Brixham – until 3 September 2025
The Donkey Passport Trail at Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary – daily until September 29 2025
Visit the Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth this summer and you’ll find the The Donkey Passport Trail
Search for the hidden exotic countries across the sanctuary using a trail map, to win a prize. Each trail sheet costs £5 and includes a gift on completion.
The sanctuary is free to visit and dogs are allowed too.
Find out more about visiting Devon’s Donkey Sanctuary.
Treasures of North Devon exhibition at Barnstaple Museum – daily until 11 October 2025
Explore a family-friendly exhibition of North Devon’s Treasures, some of which are usually on display at the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
Admission to the museum is free.
Find out more about what’s on at the Museum of Barnstaple.
Cockington Court Sculpture Trail – daily until 2 November 2025
Ahoy art lovers, explorers and pirate enthusiasts! The Cockington Court sculpture trail has returned for 2025 and this year is inspired by the theme of ‘pre-historic’ theme. This free trail features more than 30 different sculptures created by 24 local artists and sculptors.
Some of this year’s sculptures include a crow’s nest, skeleton mermaid, pirate ships, treasure chest and pirate figure head. Also, look out for Morgowr the sea serpent as she swims towards the Cockington café.
To take part collect a free map from inside the Manor House between 10.30am and 4.30pm daily.
Find out more about this free sculpture trail in Torbay.
Bug Bonanza at The Box in Plymouth – 2 September 2025
Get up close with all kinds of creepy crawlies as the Plymouth University bug handling team puts on an free end of summer session at The Box.
This is your chance to learn all about the weird and wonderful ways of insects and see a special display of bugs from The Box’s own natural history collection that are usually tucked away in storage.
There are two drop in sessions from 10.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 3.30pm. There’s no need to book.
Find out more about visiting The Box.
Summer Evening Illuminations at Babbacombe Model Village – 3, 5 & 10 September 2025
See Babbacombe’s model village sparkle on selected nights throughout the summer. There will be thousands of lights, along with special fire and lighting effects to create an enchanting atmosphere on Tuesday and Thursdays after dark.
Regular admission prices apply. Booking not essential.
Find out more on the Babbacombe Model Village website.
Beer Eats Boutique – 5 September 2025
Enjoy an evening of street food looking out to sea. Beer Eats Boutique is a pop up street food market featuring a mouth-watering selection of global flavours and community feasting with something for all tastes.
As well as dinner with a view from the picturesque fishing village of Beer, there’s a playground right next door, no traffic and dogs are welcome.
There’s also a bar with great local beverages for the grown ups and soft drinks for the kids.
Find out more about Beer Eats Boutique.
SUPER Festival in Torbay – 5 to 7 September 2025
See a range of stand up paddle events from sprints to technical races played out along the English Riviera during this growing SUP extravaganza.
Find out more about what’s on during SUPER Festival.
Free storytelling for toddlers at The Box, Plymouth – 5, 12, 19 and 26 September 2025
Join students from the University of Plymouth for a free storytelling and craft session under the figureheads at The Box every Friday this month.
The session takes place between 10.30am and 11am.
Find out more on The Box website.
Circus Extreme at Central Park, Plymouth – 5 to 21 September 2025
Roll up for the return of Circus Extreme to Central Park with an eye-watering line up of thrilling acts combined with live rock music.
Expect precision stunts, aerial acrobatics, daredevil motorbike riders and comedy, all preformed to the extreme limits.
Find out more and buy tickets.
Heritage Open Days in Devon – 6 to 15 September 2025
This annual opportunity to explore some of the nation’s most extraordinary and often hidden places of history and culture for FREE is happening again in 2025.
From 6 to 15 September you can take special tours of heritage places in Devon like Hemyock Castle, Cawsey Merchant’s House and St Nicholas Priory.
Family favourites like Killerton, Saltram and Arlington Court also have free open days.
Here’s the full list of places to visit during Heritage Open Days in Devon.
Fifth birthday celebrations at The Box in Plymouth – 6 September 2025
There’s a whole day of celebrations and fun family activities planned at The Box as it turns five-years-old.
Can you believe its five whole years since the opening of this incredible interactive showcase in the heart of Plymouth?
Join in with the free party games, performances and cake between 10.30am and 3.30pm.
Find out more about what’s happening during the day.
Kingsbridge Agricultural Show, Kingsbridge – 6 September 2025
Each year the Kingsbridge show offers a great family day out with livestock and countryside competitions, donkey rides, vintage vehicles and live music. There’s also a packed programme of arena entertainment.
See all the show details, ticket prices and what’s on by visiting the website.
Brick Festival, Plymouth – 7 September 2025
Calling all Lego fans! Plymouth Life Centre is hosting the Brick Festival this September. This will be a great day for families, collectors, adult builders and every other kind of LEGO fan.
With lots to see and do including speed building competitions, large scale displays, activities, traders selling loose bricks, new LEGO sets, retired LEGO sets, minifigures and accessories plus a dedicated building area.
Find out more on the Brick Festival website.
Freight Train Experience with South Devon Railway – 7 and 21 September 2025
Travel in style on the open veranda of a 1930s ‘Toad’ or 1950s ‘Shark’, providing unrivalled views of the countryside and the historic railway. The added bonus is the ticket also includes unlimited travel on South Devon Railway services during the day.
Find out more and book tickets on the website.
Appledore Book Festival – 12 to 21 September 2025
Appledore Book Festival is one of the largest cultural festivals in Devon and has been attracting world-class authors, speakers and performers since its inaugral event in 2006/
The festival’s family fun day is on 13 September. There will be a family activity trail with a free trail sheet to guide you through the village. Expect crafts, games, storytelling and model making. There’s also a free book and ice cream for each child who completes the trail.
Find out more about what’s on for all ages during Appledore Book Festival.
Christie for Kids at Paignton Library – 13 September 2025
As part of the wider Agatha Christie Festival (13 to 21 September 2025), Libraries Unlimited, is hosting the Festival’s first Christie for Kids day at Paignton Library.
Best-selling children’s authors Robin Stevens (Murder Most Unladylike) and Abie Longstaff (Before the Fairytale) will be delivering talks and workshops during the day. Children can also join a fun treasure hunt around the library with prizes for everyone who completes it.
This event is open to all families and children, and is free to attend but you must register for tickets as places are limited.
Find out more about what’s on during the festival and book this event.
Cofton Holidays 50th birthday bash – 13 September 2025
Devon’s award-winning Cofton Holidays in Dawlish Warren is turning 50 and everyone is invited to the
birthday party.
There will be tractor rides, fete stalls, crafts, BBQs, pool parties, kids’ UV discos, and a buzzing line-up of live music from 9.30am until 11pm. Families can also make a splash at the pool party.
The event is supporting Rowcroft Hospice with donations collected from stalls, activities, and attractions.
Keep an eye on the Cofton Facebook page for more information.
Ashburton Food Festival – 13 September 2025
Come and meet the people behind local produce at this foodie festival in Ashburton. As well as lots of delicious stalls there’s going to be a stage with live music and talks about food, menus for kids and food from abroad.
The festival takes place across North Street and Saint Lawrence Lane.
Find out more about the Food Festival.
Diesel Day at Pecorama in Beer – 13 September 2025
Come and see Pecorama’s two diesel engines, Jimmy and Ben, joined by visiting engines for a special day dedicated to diesel.
Find out more about visiting Pecorama.
Plymouth Seafest – 13 to 14 September 2025
Love seafood? Head to The Barbican and Sutton Harbour this weekend to sample some of the South West’s best alongside some nautical entertainment.
Seafest is free to attend and celebrates the incredible sustainably caught fresh fish and seafood on offer in Britain’s Ocean City.
Find out more about what’s on at this year’s festival.
Heritage Open Days at South Devon Railway – 13 to 14 September 2025
Go behind the scenes during South Devon Railway’s Heritage Open Days to see the workshops where heritage skills are being kept alive to ensure the trains here keep running.
Find out more and book tickets on the South Devon Railway website.
East Devon Food Festival – 13 to 21 September 2025
This celebration sees award-winning venues, producers, chefs and restaurants across East Devon join forces to celebrate the incredible food and drink on offer across the region.
Founder members include River Cottage, THE PIG-at Combe, Darts Farm, Mazzard Farm, Otter Brewery, Deer Park Country House, East Devon AONB, Donkey Sanctuary, Jack in the Green and Lympstone Manor.
The festival starts with the iconic Ottery St Mary Food and Families Festival with a whole host of tasting experiences, set menus and events.
Find out more about what’s on where on the Taste East Devon website.
Toddler Fest 2024 at the Big Sheep – 14 September 2025
This big attraction in North Devon is hosting an even bigger day out for little people with live shows, music, dancing and role play.
If you have a little people under five this event is not to be missed.
Find out more on The Big Sheep website.
Classic Car Show at The World of Country Life in Exmouth – 15 September 2025
The RS Owners Club Exeter & East Devon Local Group will be rallying at The World of Country Life. Come along to see cars from throughout the 21st Century.
Find out more about visiting The World of Country Life.
Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival – 17 to 21 September 2025
Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival is returning this September with a full, live programme of events including huge names in both fiction and non-fiction, and a wide and varied range of events and topics for all ages.
The programme is also packed with activities for kids.
Find out more about what’s on and buy tickets for Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival.
Abbfest, Newton Abbot – 18 to 21 September 2025
The best of Newton Abbot’s food, drink and craft traders will showcase their wares alongside a weekend of music and cookery demonstrations.
Families will get the most out of the Saturday when there is a day of children’s activities.
For the full festival line-up and ticket information visit the Abbfest website.
Wild Tribe Science & Art Festival in Devonport – 20 September 2025
Join Soapbox Children’s Theatre for a day of imagination and adventure at the Wild Tribe Children’s Festival.
The event is recommended for children aged four to 10, accompanied by their big people, and takes place in Devonport Park.
This fun-packed day combines art, science, and the environment through entertainment, workshops, and activities.
Find out more on the Theatre’s website.
Created Festival at The Big Sheep near Bideford – 20 to 21 September 2025
The Big Sheep ism hosting a curated craft and art festival featuring makers and artists from Devon and beyond. This year’s featured material is clay and there will be exhibitions bookable workshops and drop-in taster sessions during which you can meet makers and artists, and learn about their craft.
Find out more about Created Festival at The Big Sheep.
Luke Jerram’s Helios at Market Hall in Devonport, Plymouth – 20 to 28 September 2025
The National Trust is bringing a spectacular new artwork to Plymouth this September. Helios, a seven-metre sculpture of the Sun by internationally renowned artist Luke Jerram follows on from the Museum of the Moon, Gaia and Mars installations.
For nine days, you can see this 1:200 million scale sculpture for free at Market Hall. The artwork fuses high-resolution solar imagery with a specially created surround-sound composition incorporating NASA recordings of the Sun.
Find out more about visiting Halios at Market Hall.
Hydro open day at Drogo Castle near Drewsteignton – 21 September 2025
Learn about how hydro power has been used at Castle Drogo since 1929 to the present day.
Between 11am and 3pm guides will be opening the Hydro mechanism for visitors to come and look inside.
Get to the Hydro from the Castle Drogo car park by following the Hunters path down to the Iron Bridge, cross over onto the Foresters track and follow the path towards Fingle Bridge. Alternatively you can access the Hydro from Fingle Bridge by following the Foresters track for around 40 minutes.
Normal admission prices and parking charges at the castle apply. National Trust members can visit for free.
Find out more by visiting the National Trust website.
Torbay Half Marathon and 10k – 21 September 2025
Take your places to support the runners in this year’s events where athletes run along the seafront from Paignton to Torquay.
The half marathon gets underway at 9.15am while the 10k starts at 9.30am.
Find out more about these sporting events.
Caterpillar at Soapbox Children’s Theatre – selected dates 26 September to 11 October 2025
Fun loving Caterpillars, Bob and Bob wriggle out to explore the big wide world. Join them on their adventures discovering food, getting up to mischief and escaping from the cheeky chicken before transforming into beautiful butterflies.
This original show, which has been created by Stiltskin Theatre Company will delight young audiences from six months up to eight years and their parents.
Find out more and buy tickets.
England’s Seafood Festival in the English Riviera – 26 September to 12 October 2025
A two-week celebration of Devon’s world-renowned seafood is returning to the towns of Brixham, Paignton and Torquay.
Throughout the celebration the English Riviera towns all showcase some of the best seafood in the world, right where it’s landed. Highlights include everything from fine dining to street food and seafood celebration suppers to guest chef events.
Find the full programme on the English Riviera website.
200 years of train travel celebrated at Pecorama in Beer – 27 September 2025
Mark 200 years of steam passenger railways during a special heritage day at Pecorama in East Devon. The attraction’s engines, Dickie, Thomas II, and Linda will be in action, honouring the legacy of steam travel that began two centuries ago.
Why not dress for the occasion and embrace the spirit of the 1800s with a vintage outfit.
Find out more about this special event.
Railway 200: celebrating steam in Dartmouth – 27 September 2025
Dartmouth in South Devon will be marking 200 years of railway history, right in the birthplace of steam innovation. The town is where Thomas Newcomen laid the foundation for the age of steam by creating the first steam engine.
For younger visitors, there will be a whole kids’ area filled with crafts, LEGO building, and wooden train sets. Dartmouth Library will also be running a programme of children’s events inspired by Thomas the Tank Engine, including themed crafts, drawing sessions, and storytelling.
This is all alongside the chance to meet some of the region’s most passionate rail groups and associations, with displays from the South Devon Railway, Marsh Mills Railway, Lynton & Barnstaple Railway, and the Heathfield Rail Link Association.
Find out more about what’s planned.
Apple Day at Lydford Gorge – 27 September 2025
Come along to help the National Trust team at Lydford Gorge press the apples from the orchard, and taste the tart juice.
This event is included in the usual admission charge.
Find out more about visiting Lydford Gorge.
Pumpkin Festival at Pennywell Farm – 27 September to 2 November 2025
Pennywell – one of Devon’s top attractions – runs a fantastic pumpkin event each autumn. And it kicks off this month.
Pennywell is one of those places that is perfect to get in the spirit of the season without any frights, making it ideal for little ones.
This year there will be a pumpkin patch, trail, live music and plenty of seasonal fun and games alongside the usual farm fun.
Find out more on the Pennywell Farm website.
Guess How Much I Love You nature crafts at RHS Rosemoor – 28 September 2025
Drop in to two nature craft sessions at RHS Rosemoor in Great Torrington as part of its garden adventure trail Guess How Much I Love You™.
Join in the fun in the the lower woodland for some additional garden activities as RHS Rosemoor get ready to celebrate the arrival of autumn. Sessions are included in the admission price and start at 10.30am and 2pm.
Find out more about what’s on this summer at RHS Rosemoor.
GOGMAGOG: A Lost Legend Retold in Plymouth – 28 September 2025
Get ready for belly laughs as Comic duo Clod and Turf unravel the wild tale of Gogmagog, Chief of All Giants, at Soapbox Children’s Theatre in Devonport.
Expect laughs, and a little chaos as they battle moles, sing songs, and reveal how giants once ruled the South West.
Find out more and book tickets on the Soapbox Children’s Theatre website.
Classic Car Show at The Big Sheep near Bideford – 28 September 2025
North Devon Sports & Classic Car Club will be rallying a stunning collection of classic automobiles from across the West Country.
Find out more about this event.
Silent disco beach cleans at Woolacombe – 28 September 2025
Join the National Trust’s Woolacombe rangers for their monthly beach clean with a added bonus of a silent disco.
All equipment is provided. Meet at Mill Rock at 10.30am.
Find out more about silent disco beach cleans at Woolacombe.
Community litter pick at Wembury Beach – 29 September 2025
Enjoy this beautiful landscape while helping the National Trust to keep this special place tidy. Litter pickers, bags and bin rings will be provided.
Come along between 10am and 11.30am to lend a hand.
Find out more about Wembury Beach.
What about next month? Here’s my guide to things to do in Devon in October.
Know of an event I can add to my monthly guides? Submit a listing!
Devon attractions open all week in September
With the summer holidays finishing this month some Devon attractions are only open on weekends.
But the daily fun continues into the autumn at a host of places. Find a list in my round up of things to do in Devon this autumn.
You can also check my FREE guide to Devon days out for ideas:
Download the 101 Days out in Devon with kids ebook
It’s FREE!
Grab your copy of this guide to family-friendly things to do across the county, from coast to coast, in the cities, on the moors and whatever the weather.
What to do when it rains in Devon this September
Sadly it’s not always sunny in Devon. I have a big list of ideas for things to do in Devon on wet days this September.
Make the most of the last few beach days
I don’t know about you, but I always hold out a hope for some warmth in late summer, especially as I know we’ll find it much easier to get parking on the coast.
Here are some of the best beaches to visit on the South coast, on the Jurassic East Coast and in North Devon.
If you’re not a fan of sand and salty water, then why not check out some of the splash parks and outdoor swimming pools around the county. Some extend their open days into September.
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