Hello! A really nice spread this weekend, with great options for enjoying the hot weather.

The big draw is Devon County Show on Saturday (with brilliant family pricing if you've not done it before), plus a one-off pirate tram down at Seaton that only runs four days a year, and a lovely free trail that's just opened in town. Here's what's caught the eye.

This Weekend's Pick

Devon County Show

Saturday is the final day of the three-day show, and the family pricing is what tips the balance if you've been on the fence about it before.

It's a big day out, with thousands of animals, the Children's Farm doing hands-on baking and the Sheep Show, monster trucks in the main arena, and a food and drink pavilion to fall into when you need a sit-down. Book ahead, and aim early to make a real morning of it.

When	Saturday 23 May only. Gates 7:30am, main features 9am to 6pm.
Where	Westpoint Showground, Clyst St Mary. Just off J30, M5. EX5 1DJ. About 15 mins from central Exeter.
Cost	Adults £21 in advance. Saturday only: two children aged 5 to 16 go free per full-paying adult. Under-5s always free. Free parking, no booking charges.

Worth the drive

Pirate Tram at Seaton Tramway

Worth knowing this is one of only four Pirate Tram days in the whole of 2026, with two of them this weekend and the other two not until August. If it's on the list, it really has to be now.

Captain Nick and crew run the themed ride along the Axe Estuary out to Pirate Cove at Colyton Station, with pirate challenges, water games, and a bit of booty for every child along the way. You come back on any standard service tram afterwards, so a single Pirate fare gets you the full round trip.

When	Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 May. Departures 11am, 1pm and 3pm. The adventure runs about 2 hours.
Where	Seaton Tramway, Riverside Depot, Harbour Road, Seaton. EX12 2NQ. About 45 mins' drive.
Cost	Standard tram pricing. Advance booking essential, seats are limited. No dogs aboard the Pirate Tram.

Sidmouth Jazz & Blues Festival

Park up, walk into Sidmouth, and the streets fill up with live music for free across the weekend. The Love Local Stage on Peacock Lawn runs all four days with global street food alongside it.

There's a free education programme of workshops and masterclasses on Saturday to Monday too. The big-name headliners are mostly sold out anyway, so the free side of the festival is the real draw. Festival atmosphere without the festival price tag.

When	Friday 22 to Monday 25 May. Daytime concerts Saturday to Monday. Free Love Local Stage all four days.
Where	Blackmore Gardens (main stage) and venues across Sidmouth. About 30 mins' drive.
Cost	Free elements (Love Local Stage, education programme, street music) all weekend. Ticketed headline shows are mostly sold out.

The Sheep Detectives (PG) at Exeter Phoenix

An absolutely stacked cast for a half-term family film, with Hugh Jackman, Emma Thompson, Bryan Cranston, Patrick Stewart, Bella Ramsey, Brett Goldstein and Chris O'Dowd all in the mix. The premise: a shepherd's sheep turn detective when a mystery hits the farm.

Saturday is the only weekend slot at the Phoenix, but if 12:30 doesn't work the half-term run continues from Tuesday 26 May onwards.

When	Saturday 23 May at 12:30pm. No Sunday showing.
Where	Studio 74, Exeter Phoenix, Gandy Street. EX4 3LS.
Cost	£9 standard, £7 Studio 74 Members, £5 Students and Under 25s. Plus £1.50 ticketing charge.
Ages	PG (mild violence, threat, brief language). Suitable for the whole family. 108 minutes.

One free thing

Princesshay Go Wild Animal Sculpture Trail

This one just opened on Monday and is genuinely lovely. Ten turfed animal sculptures (lion, giraffe, gorilla, rhino, zebra and more) are dotted across nine spots in town.

There's a hidden letter at each sculpture for a secret-word challenge, with the prize being Devon's Top Attractions Golden Ticket. QR codes at each stop also unlock BSL clips for every animal, courtesy of the Deaf Academy.

And if the weekend's too busy, free animal-themed walkabout performers are in town across next week's half-term too.

When	Both days, then continuing for six weeks. Princesshay hours: Saturday 9:30am to 6pm, Sunday 10:30am to 4:30pm.
Where	Princesshay Shopping Centre, Exeter city centre. Ten sculptures across nine locations. EX1 1QA.
Cost	FREE. No booking.

Heads-up for Sunday morning

One to mention if you're planning Sunday morning in central Exeter: the Great West Run takes over the city, with road closures from 7am clearing by 1pm. Plan around it, or plan into it if you fancy a half marathon atmosphere as the backdrop to a coffee.

That's everything for this week. If you make it to any of these, hit reply and let me know how it went, it comes straight to the inbox. Have a good weekend.

Details can change. Worth a quick check with the organisers before you head out.