Brrr! There’s no mistaking that autumn chill. But that doesn’t mean it’s time to snuggle up in front of the telly box in your favourite slippers. There’s still plenty of exploring to be done! If you are wondering what to do with the kids now the days have turned cooler, here’s my guide to the best things to do in Devon in October 2024.
In this post you’ll discover what events are on this month as well as where to find pumpkin patches and some of the less spooky half term happenings.
If you’re after the frightful stuff I have a guide to that too. Read on!
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What’s on in Devon in October
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Here’s a round up of the family-friendly events happening Devon this October:
Cockington Court Sculpture Trail 2024 – daily until 3 November 2024
Ahoy art lovers, explorers and pirate enthusiasts! The Cockington Court sculpture trail has returned for 2024 and this year is inspired by the theme of ‘pirates and the deep sea’. 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.
Spooktacular new trail at The Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth – daily until 3 November 2024
There’s a new spooky adventure awaiting visitors at The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth this October.
The Trick or Trot Halloween Trail is the perfect excuse for getting the family out in the autumnal air to explore the sanctuary and search for pumpkins that hide a trick or treat for the resident donkeys.
By guessing what is a trick or treat for the donkeys, this family activity combines fun, exercise and brainpower. Trail sheets cost £5 each which also includes a prize on completion.
Find out more about visiting Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary this Halloween.
England’s Seafood Festival in the English Riviera – every day until 13 October 2024
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.
Hennock Barn Dance, near Bovey Tracey – 5 October 2024
Beechleigh Farm in Hennock near Bovey Tracey is hosting a family-friendly Barn Dance again this autumn.
Renowned ceilidh band Spinach for Norman will be bringing the tunes the cattle barn for an evening of authentic farm entertainment in aid of the village school.
There will be a bar to quench the dancers’ thirst, a grand draw with many local business donations, family games and a BBQ serving local meats plus veggie options.
For more information and discounted advance tickets visit the PTA’s web page.
Sidmouth Science Festival Super Science Family Day, 5 October 2024
Experience a free action-packed day of scientific discovery and hands-on fun, perfect for the curious minds of all ages.
Some of the activities on offer include making kites, motors, projectiles, creepy crawlies, aeroplanes, bubbles and micrometeorites.
Events take place at Kennaway House, the Parish Church, the Sid Vale Association HQ and All Saints’ Church and Hall. There’s no need to book.
For more information visit the Sidmouth Science Festival website.
Powderham Food Festival near Exeter – 5 to 6 October 2024
Set in the grounds of Powderham Castle this award-winning food festival is offering free entry this year.
Visit to experience delicacies from some of the region’s best food and drink producers as well as demonstrations, fun children’s activities and foodie competitions.
Tickets are limited and must be pre-booked. Donations for the upkeep of Powderham Castle are welcome on the day.
Find the full event programme and buy tickets on the Powderham Food Festival website.
Festival of Flavours at RHS Rosemoor – 5 to 6 October 2024
Tuck into street food from around the world, pick up ideas from cookery demos, expert talks and garden tours, and shop for treats in the food and craft market.
Get in the festival mood with live music and campfire cooking. Normal entry prices apply.
Find out more on the RHS Rosemoor website.
Family fun weekend at South Devon Railway – 5 to 6 October 2024
Jump aboard South Devon Railway for a great value fun family day out this weekend.
Enjoy steam-hauled heritage train rides alongside the stunning river Dart, plus FREE entry to Dartmoor Otters & Buckfast Butterflies and Totnes Rare Breeds Farm all for one amazing price.
Find out more about this offer on the South Devon Railway website.
Troublesome Tikes at Soapbox Children’s Theatre, Devonport – 5 and 12 October 2024
Join the Stiltskin Theatre company for this enchanting tale. This family show is perfect for children aged 12 and under, but the whole family will enjoy it!
Find out more and book tickets on the Soapbox Children’s Theatre website.
Salcombe Field of Light – 5 October 2024 to 5 January 2025
See artist Bruce Munro’s Field of Light in Salcombe Harbour this winter. The installation has been exhibited in the UK, USA and Australia and is coming to Devon to mark the 200th anniversary of the RNLI.
Here’s a video of Field of Light in Bath to give you an idea of what the 20,000 individual light stems can look like.
There will be viewing points around Salcombe Harbour. The installation is free to see.
Find out more about the Field of Light in Salcombe.
Little Murmur at Theatre Royal Plymouth – 7 to 9 October 2024
Little Murmur is a dance theatre show for everyone aged seven and up. Based on the true story of one child’s struggle with letters and words, Little Murmur is about facing challenges and overcoming the odds.
Families adore Little Murmur for its ability to engage and move audiences of all ages. The performance combines stunning visuals, innovative technology, and heartfelt storytelling to create a show that is both entertaining and deeply meaningful.
Find out more and book tickets for Little Murmur.
Guided Woodland Walk at Wembury Woods near Plymouth – 12 October 2024
Ranger Tim will be walking and talking you through everything from ash dieback, woodland creation and wood pasture.
Places are free but must be booked in advance.
Find out more on the National Trust website.
Cockington Apple Day – 13 October 2024
Cockington Court’s free annual Apple Day returns this month with plenty of family fun planned including arts and crafts, live music, apple-inspired fun, a service at Cockington Church and more than 40 market stalls selling food, drinks and crafts.
The on-site Seven Dials Café will be serving food and drinks all day. There will also be some new additions to this year’s event, including a Craft Bus, Angel Heart Theatre and Elfic the comedy juggler.
See apples being pressed and bring your own to be turned into juice for a small donation.
Find out more about Cockington Apple Day.
Brixham breakwater beach rock pooling – 19 October 2024
Join the South Devon National Landscape Estuaries Officer, a marine biologist, for an introduction to the struggles and tribulations of life in the intertidal zone.
Explore and discover the variety and adaptions of marine life found along this rocky shore.
Find out more about visiting South Devon National Landscapes website.
Baby Dragon Trail at Buckland Abbey – 19 October to 3 November 2024
Baby Dragons have hatched and are taking over Buckland Abbey. They’ve made their first hoards using objects found at Buckland. Come and help track them down and discover some dragon secrets along the way.
You can also cosy up with an autumnal read in the Book Nook. Storytelling will take place on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays throughout the trail.
Find out more about visiting Buckland Abbey.
Dinosaurs and all that Rubbish at Exeter Phoenix Theatre – 24 October 2024
Dino fans will love this imaginative adaptation of Michael Foreman’s environmental tale with dancing dinosaurs, fuelled by rock’n’roll.
This riotous hour-long show, packed with signature Roustabout silliness, will have you tapping your toes from start to finish!
Suitable for children aged three and up.
Find out more on the Exeter Phoenix website.
Drawing workshop at Exeter Phoenix Theatre – 25 October 2024
Take part in family-friendly still life and life drawing workshops Work in pairs with a family member or friend and use fun techniques to create portraits of each other.
Find out more and book a space on the Exeter Phoenix website.
October half term in Devon
Check out my full guide to October half term and Halloween fun for spooky happenings at attractions around the county.
But that’s not all.
Here’s some of the other family-friendly, less frightful things to do in Devon this October half term:
I GREW UP 90S exhibition at Torquay Museum – daily until 9 November 2024
This touring exhibition comes to Torquay and is an ideal trip for October half term, for the young and not so young, and is a must for any fans of the 90’s.
Discover over 200 iconic objects and artworks that bring the Nineties to vivid life. Revisit the days of Britpop and Cool Britannia, and discover the cultural treasures that 90s youth held dear. From the Spice Girls to Lara Croft, Power Rangers to Pokemon, Trainspotting to Teletubbies.
Visitors can expect to encounter beloved toys and video games, fashion, food, film and of course the music, that defined the decade.
Find out more on the Torquay Museum website.
Dartmouth Food Festival – 25 to 27 October 2024
This delicious free event in Devon is packed with food and drink to suit all taste buds. Dartmouth Food Festival comes with three days packed with cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs, talks with food writers, and cookery workshops for adults and children.
A whole day of the festival is dedicated to children, with events and activities to get kids excited about cooking. Don’t miss the free story telling sessions with tales of funny food and even ginger bread man making.
Some activities must be booked and paid for in advance.
Take a look at the Food Festival website for more information.
Halloween Hocus Pocus at The Milky Way – 26 October to 3 November 2024
There’ll be lots of extra Halloween activities to enjoy this half term, all designed to be fun rather than scary.
Enrol your little horrors at a very special School for Witches and Wizards, bump around the Spooky Swamp Dodgems, catch Merlin’s show filled with his special brand of spooktacular fun and catch a special storytelling session for little ones.
Find out more on the Milky Way Adventure Park website.
Star in your own monster movie – 27 and 28 October 2024
This two day workshop will give an introduction into digital composites, green screen and stop frame animation by combining video footage of you battling a stop motion monster or villain of your own creation!
This workshop is suitable for kids aged eight to 13-years-old.
Find out more and book a space on the Exeter Phoenix website.
King Arthur at Exeter Northcott Theatre – 29 October to 2 November 2024
The Kings of Comedy, Le Navet Bete, return to the Exeter with a comedy for the ages.
This hilarious retelling of the Arthurian legends, suitable for the whole family, will have audiences crying with laughter and become part of the legend themselves!
Find out more and book tickets on the Exeter Northcott website.
Nature explorers at Coleton Fishacre near Kingswear – 30 October 2024
The Barn Owl Trust, a small national charity based locally and founded in 1988, work hard to care and conserve Barn Owls.
From learning about Barn Owl habitats and conservation, to how the extreme weather and climate change can affect them and getting a look into the feeding habits with pellet analysis, join them, for a fascinating talk on all things Barn Owl.
The pop-up talk will take place in the loggia next to the house.
Find out more on the National Trust website.
Know of an event I can add to my monthly guides? Submit a listing!
Halloween in Devon
Of course, October half term in Devon often coincides with Halloween. Halloween is one of my kids’ favourite times of year, along with Easter and Christmas – they have inherited their mum’s sweet tooth!
Here’s my guide to what’s on in Devon this Halloween including spooky days out.
Where to pick pumpkins in Devon
Last year this was one of our autumn highlights.
The kids dressed up in their Halloween finery and we headed to our local pumpkin patch where there was an astonishing collection of gourds in all shapes, sizes and colours – perfect for decorating our doorstep.
Check out my post about where to pick pumpkins in Devon to find out the latest open days.
Which Devon attractions are open in October?
Opening times for Devon attractions tend to vary in the off season but you can still find some that will welcome you all week through! Devon zoos and steam railways are my top suggestions.
Most attractions will also reopen for the October school holidays.
Check out my guide to things to do in Devon in Autumn to see a list of Devon attractions that are open daily and those that are open on the weekends only.
More things to do in October
If you’re looking for more ideas for things to do in October then here’s some ideas for entertaining the kids:
- What’s on in Devon this weekend
- Things to do in Devon on a rainy day
- Free things to do in Devon
- Where to find soft play centres in Devon
- Adventure playgrounds in Devon
- Easy walks to do on Dartmoor
What’s your favourite things to do in Devon in October? Do you know of an activity or event not on this list? Drop me a line or comment below.
Got a while to stay? Check out my full guide to family holidays in Devon.
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