Plymouth and Dartmouth, South Devon are two of the fourteen UK towns participating in the National Mayflower Partnership commemorating the 400–year anniversary of the sailing of The Mayflower to the New World. Photo Credit Visit Plymouth

Make 2020 the year to visit South Devon

South Devon is simply bursting with action packed events for 2020. This year will see South Devon showcasing an impressive and diverse calendar of events, including spectacular festivals and regattas, dazzling food and drink, as well as offering beautiful locations to stay.

Anna Roach of Visit South Devon says ‘2020 is shaping up to be very special for South Devon, with a number of significant commemorative events and award winning festivals on offer. Visitors to South Devon can find everything they need on our website and in our online guide to help them plan an extra special sojourn to our exciting region; from exploring the stunning coastline on the South West Cost Path to relaxing on the award winning beaches we can support your search for a visit tailored just for you!’

South Devon to commemorate Mayflower 400:

South Devon is to mark a historic year in 2020 as it joins key destinations throughout the world in commemorating the 400 year anniversary of the sailing of The Mayflower to America with a series of exciting events and projects.

As part of the National Mayflower Partnership Dartmouth and Plymouth will be hosting an impressive programme of events, culminating with a week in each location packed with events including a grand river pageant, visiting the Mayflower Replica, art installations as well as concerts and performances. The Mayflower Week Dartmouth takes place from the 30th of August to the 5th of September and Mayflower Week Plymouth takes place from the 14th to the 20th September.

Full details on all the Mayflower 400 events taking place in the county throughout 2020 can be found here.

Head to South Devon for a summer of world class sailing events and regattas

South Devon with its dramatic coastline has no shortage of things to do if you're a watersports or sailing enthusiast. This year Plymouth is to host two major transatlantic races, the Original Single-handed Transatlantic Race (OSTAR) and the Two-handed Transatlantic Race (TWOSTAR) on 10thMay. The start of the OSTAR has been brought in one year early (it normally runs every four years) to mark the 60th anniversary of the first race run in 1960, and to form part of the Mayflower 400 commemoration year.

For sailing regatta lovers you’ll be spoilt for choice in August with regattas being held right across the region. The first regatta of the season is Salcombe (1st – 8th August) followed by Teignmouth (2nd- 9th August), Dartmouth (27th -29th August) and finally in Sidmouth (29th -30th August).

Further details on watersports can be found here and sports and regatta events here

Experience the region’s seasonal best: food and drink extravaganzas

With its plentiful farm land and impressive number of independent food and drink producers, South Devon serves up some of the best food and drink around. This year the region is once again showcasing its delicious award winning produce at a number of food and drinks festivals. Foodie delights will include Cullompton Spring Festival of Food, Music and Craft (11th April) followed by Exeter Festival of Food & Drink in May (8th -10th May).

The south west’s largest food and drink festival Flavour Fest returns to Plymouth’s city centre Piazza from Friday 29th May to Sunday 31st May 2020, with the Plymouth Seafood Festival to be held on the Barbican and Sutton Harbour areas of the historic city later in the year (12th and 13th September)..

The regal Powderham Castle toasts autumn with a harvest of local food producers exhibiting at the Powderham Food Festival (3rd - 4th October) and the perennially popular Dartmouth Food Festival will close the season with a three-day foodie event (23rd – 25th October).

Find out more about Food and Drink in South Devon here

What’s On in South Devon 2020:

Here’s an overview of some of the impressive events taking place across South Devon in 2020:

April

11th April - Cullompton Spring Festival of Food, Music and Craft

May

9th - 10th May - Pirate Weekend Plymouth

10th May- OSTAR and Twostar

15th – 17th May - Exeter Festival of Food & Drink Dart Music Festival)

21st – 23rd May - Devon County Show

29th May- 31st May - Flavour Fest

June