If you like your August holidays jam-packed, you're in for a treat in the West Country this year. Here are some of our favourite events, with some suggestions for places to stay nearby...
You'll find Red Arrows and pasties - and lots more - at the Fowey Royal Regatta which runs from 14th to 20th August. Fowey week includes some really competitive racing, the Carnival, a pasty eating competition (when you can meet the Red Arrows team), a fireworks display and gig racing too! The Red Arrows display will take place on 18th August at 6:30pm. Stay at: Penpol.
If you're in the Dartmoor area, why not pop along and see us - yes, us! – at the
Chagford Show on 18th August. You’ll find our stand beside the main ring so do drop by at Pimms O'Clock as you wander round this varied collection of traditional country activities, all in stark contrast to the freestyle mountain bike stunt team performing in the display ring! Stay at:
Rookwood Cottage.
For those of you who find it really hard to wait until 5th November each year, the
British Fireworks Championships runs from 16th to 17th August in Plymouth. This most anticipated event will see thousands of spectators heading up to the Hoe for two evenings of entertainment culminating in spectacular fireworks displays from six companies seeking the coveted title of British Firework Champions. Stay at
Apartment 19.
Music lovers will love the Bude Jazz Festival, well known for its sense of joy and fun! It opens on 27th August and proceeds to enjoy itself immensely all week, including many a late night jamming session. Bring your trumpet and join in! Stay at: Highdown Cottage.
Top chefs cooking in a Fish Market, a big-fish filleting challenge, displays of locally caught fish and seafood, live music and lots of other entertainment on land and water - this is the Newlyn Fish Festival from 28th to 29th August. Dont miss the hilarious raft race, which raises funds for the town’s Christmas lights. Stay at: Bethany.
The Great Dorset Steam Fair, from 31st August to 4th September at Tarrant Hinton near Blandford Forum, has grown from humble origins to covering an enormous showground. It’s a great opportunity to see how people lived, worked and played in bygone years, with steam tractors, horse drawn ploughs, vintage cars and motor bikes. Stay at Poppy Cottage.
And finally, let off some hot air at the Westcountry Balloon Fiesta from 3rd to 4th September. Keep your fingers crossed for some good weather as up to 30 balloons are expected to fly across the Tamar from Tavistock, with all proceeds going to local and regional charities. Stay at Hayloft.
It’s not too late to book a holiday this August and enjoy some of these fabulous events. Take a look at the cottages still available this month in Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset.
You can check our ‘Explore the Area’ map on each property details page for more event ideas near your cottage too.
Have lots of fun, whatever you do!
