Autumn Activities in Devon

We celebrate the turning of the season and look at some of the organised autumnal activities taking place nearby.

This article was written on 23 August 2022
and is a 5 minute read

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The evenings are drawing in, copper leaves rustle underfoot and the air is becoming crisper, so our thoughts turn to apple picking and autumn festivals. Despite the cooler air, people are spending plenty of time outdoors, exploring local woodland walks and taking the dogs to pelt about on the beaches they’ve not been allowed on all summer. We embrace the autumn by finding out what activities are available in Devon.

Apples

21 October is Apple Day in the UK. Originally designed by Common Ground, a Dorset charity, to celebrate and raise awareness of the variety of apple varieties we’re in danger of losing, it also focuses on the richness and diversity of the landscape, ecology and culture of apple growing too. Apples have long been a feature of puddings in the southwest, with Devon apple cake and apple dumplings joining chutney and cider on our regional menu.

RHS Rosemoor Apple Festival and Taste of Autumn Fair (1-2 October 2022)

This year, RHS Rosemoor is combining three events into one weekend: a Festival of Flavours combines the Apple Festival and their ever-popular Taste of Autumn Food Fair. With apple displays, talks, guided walks, juicing and live music, there’s plenty of entertainment for all the family. Normal admission applies, so be sure to take the chance to explore the beautiful grounds which have stunning displays all year round.

Receive a free bottle of apple juice by helping with the apple picking at West Town Farm in Ide. Most of the apples will be juiced to support LOVE Food CIC’s community projects, but you might return with any surplus fruits. Apple Picking at West Town Farm normally takes place in October – see website for updates.

Unusual apple juicer wagon from an event in Devon

Kids’ Activities

Children love a bit of gentle spookiness and Devon’s attractions have some frightful fun on offer as we head towards the end of the month.

Halloween at the Big Sheep  (17-21 October)

Boasting North Devon’s highest and fastest rollercoaster, the Big Sheep is popular at any time of year, but around Halloween, kids can take to the sky and learn to fly like a witch or enjoy a ride on the spooky train and tractor rides. Family Halloween fun from 10 til 5 daily.

Crealy Spook Fest (22 – 30 October)

The Halloween fun at Crealy has been favoured by families for many years and is back for 2021. Spook-tacular attractions such as the Scarecrow Scare Maze, the Creaky Hotel and the Book of Spells Live Show promise enjoyment for all.

Little girl in a pumpkin skirt enjoys an autumn stroll

Autumn Food Festivals in Devon

Usually held every year, the Powderham Castle Food Festival (1-2 October) and Dartmouth Food Festival (21-23 October) both promise a feast of chefs, demonstrations, entertainment, traders and tastings. More than 70% of the exhibitors in Dartmouth hail from Devon. You can buy tickets for Powderham here, or enjoy the Dartmouth festival for free.

Elderberries make excellent jelly to go with your roast dinner

Pumpkin Picking

The idea of carving a pumpkin at Halloween is a US import which took over from the original Irish tradition of making scary faces in turnips to ward off evil. This brightly coloured member of the gourd family is now to be found everywhere towards the end of October and picking your own from a farm is a fun thing to do.

Carving pumpkins is a fairly modern tradition

West Town Farm – Pumpkin Picking

Down on the farm, not only can you pick your own pumpkins, you can also take a tractor trailer ride, feed the pigs or find your way through the haybale maze.

At Halberton Farm Shop, they move from PYO strawberries to PYO pumpkins at this time of year. Combine your trip with a delicious cake in the café (we recommend the coffee cake), or a walk around the Swans Neck Loop on the Grand Western Canal. Look out for dates on their Facebook Page.

autumn pumpkin picking in devon
PYO pumpkins at Halberton

Other Autumn Activities in Devon

It’s time to take in the bumper grape harvest at Pebblebed Vineyard near Topsham. They need your help to get the grapes ‘off the vine and into the wine’! You’ll be rewarded with coffee, cake, a Darts Farm pulled pork lunch and glass of fizz. Keep an eye on the Pebblebed Vineyard website for picking dates in October.

From making a twig person to playing ‘Top Trunks’, find a range of ‘moments of autumn magic’ on this fun National Trust activity sheet for kids, or become an Autumn tree and leaf detective with this Wildlife Trusts spotter sheet.

We do our best to make sure that the information in this blog is correct and up to date, but please always check with a venue or attraction before travelling.