Things to do in North Devon this May and may half term

With two bank holidays and May Half Term coming up here’s our guide to things to do in Devon throughout May and over the half-term holiday.

Plus when holidaying in Devon its criminal not to enjoy a Devonshire cream tea, enjoy our pick of the best cream teas in North Devon

Half term in Devon takes place from 24th May until 3rd June 2024, so book your North Devon stay here!

book may half term

Night-time Rockpool Ramble at Combesgate Beach – May 6th 22.30PM – 11.55PM

Are you ready to discover what rockpool residents come out after dark? Join the beach rangers with UV torches to explore the wonderful rockpools of Combesgate Beach, near Woolacombe.

The rockpools of Combesgate are teeming with life – fish, crabs, sea snails, star fish and anemones. A whole host of sea creatures are up and about at night rather than sleeping and hiding in the day.

Join our Beach Rangers to seek them out with UV torches and learn all bout their lives, homes and habitat. Some of these wonderful creatures may even glow under the the UV light.

Suitable for ages 8+, children must be accompanied by an adult

Ilfracombe Art Trail MAY 11^th -12^th 10am – 6pm.

The beautiful town of Ilfracombe once again offers you a warm welcome to our open house art event.
Artists and crafts people open their homes, studios and galleries for you to view and purchase a varied collection of arts and crafts.

Get ready to see over 70 local artists exhibiting a wide range of work across 44 venues around the town of Ilfracombe, North Devon – and don’t forget the amazing gardens too!
With a couple of venues added in Hele, Ilfracombe this year and our venues in Berrynarbor, Ilfracombe (a short drive away), taking part again, we thoroughly recommend visiting them all!

Classic Car Show at Watermouth Castle, MAY 12^th 10.30am-4pm

Join us for a delightful display of classic and unique cars against the backdrop of our stunning Victorian Castle. Best part? It’s a FREE event! The Battlements car park will be reserved exclusively for the Car Show.

North Devon Show MAY 16th, 17th, 18th

This is Devon’s largest agricultural show with a full programme of activities and entertainment throughout the weekend. Marvel at monster trucks, sample local ales and cheer on sheep-dog displays.

Younger children will enjoy the petting farm, fairground and countryside activities, like making beeswax candles.

Pigstock, Bideford – May 18th

Kickstart your summer at North Devon’s friendliest family festival. This one-day festival is bigger than ever before with plenty to entertain the children. With great food, drinks, and the biggest main-stage line-up yet!

Headline acts throughout the day – Midday to 10.30 pm
Free children’s entertainment throughout the day
Food village bursting with delicious food from around the world
Free entry to the BIG sheep family attraction from 11am – 4pm
Main bar with local ciders, ales, lagers, and spirits.
Free parking
Optional camping on site

Seaweed Festival, Clovelly. in aid of the North Devon – May 26^th10am-5pm

You will be amazed at the world of seaweed!

Just a stone’s throw from the Red Lion, along the Quay, Clovelly be hosting a variety of stalls selling a range of seaweed products and dishes. Expect live street entertainment and music.

The Seaweed Festival is held to promote seaweed for its immense health and nutritional benefits. In a multitude of colours, textures, shapes and sizes, it is tasty, full of minerals, fibre without calories and is the best salt substitute.

Along the Quay enjoy a surprising variety of dishes and stalls will be selling a range of seaweed products.

Expect live music and street entertainment throughout the day.

Standard admission charges include all entertainment.

Morte Point Tractor Trailer Rides – MAY 29th

Join the Rangers as they take you down to Morte Point, learning tales of notorious smugglers and wreckers, the role of Morte Pointe in WW2 and spotting a few local residents (Atlantic seals) along the way. You will also get to learn a little more about how the National Trust now looks after and cares for this dramatic landscape.

Tractor Trailer rides are suitable for all and last around 45mins.

Tractor trailer rides cost £8 per Adult, £4 for children 3 yrs + and free for children under 2 if sitting on an adults lap.

Please book by calling Morthoe Museum on 01271 870028

Best Family Half-Term days out AND ACTIVITIES

Looking for a good day out to cater for all the family in North Devon then look no further read our suggestions below for the

20 Best Family Days Out In North Devon.

WHEN IN DEVON – OUR TOP PICK OF LOCAL CREAM TEAS!

The Best North Devon Cream Teas

North Devon is renewed for being home to some of the best beaches in the UK but one of our proudest traditions lies in the art of making a ‘proper’ cream tea.

Enjoy freshly baked scones topped with Devon clotted cream (cream first of course) then lavishly layered with Devon Jam – most favourable!

Seeing as May is all about noticing the start of Spring there is no better way to spend your holiday then watching the world go by with a cup of tea in hand.

You won’t struggle to find a cream tea in North Devon but here are a few of our favourites.

The cream tea Cafe

Just a few moments from Barnstaple’s bustling pannier market which is also well worth a peruse, The Cream Tea Cafe .

Aiming to cook the freshest possible treats, ingredients are sourced from small local businesses, and their scones are freshly baked in-house.

Johns of Instow & Appledore

Johns café’s are renowned for sourcing the best local ingredients to use within their cafés and shops.

With two idyllic waterfront village locations both cafes offer the perfect setting to enjoy a freshly baked cream tea created with fresh Devon ingredients, accompanied by a pot of Devon tea!

Hele Corn Mill & Tea Room

Hele Cornmill is a unique 16th century water mill in North Devon. Located just 300m from stunning Hele Bay Beach, a visit to the mill makes a perfect family day out.

The mill offers interactive and educational tours on the history of the flour mill.

If you’re looking for a taste of traditional Devonshire cream tea, there are few better places, that’s why they have won Best Tea Shop in Devon multiple times!

The Watersmeet Hotel

Sat quietly above Woolacombe bay and Mortehoe if you are looking for a cream tea within a costal setting this option will tick all the boxes.

Teas can be enjoyed in the hotel lounge, the terrace or the lawn with spectacular views. With all homemade locally sourced ingredients, this is a truly decadent offering!

Book your Coronation weekend break with Byron here and receive a complimentary cream tea gift on arrival!