Hello! There are food festivals at Powderham and on Sidwell Street this weekend, plus Pikachu and apple pressing at Killerton, steam trains with otters thrown in, and the season's first pumpkin trail at the Donkey Sanctuary.
This Weekend's Pick
Powderham Food Festival
Powderham's food festival is back at the castle on Saturday and Sunday, with over 100 local traders, a new World Foods area and a demo stage that includes MasterChef finalist Laura Strange.
For the kids there's a climbing wall, archery and roaming entertainment, plus a Gross Eats stand where the brave can try insects, and a chilli-eating competition at 2.30pm each day.
Under-16s go free, though they still need a ticket when you book, and booking ahead saves £2 on every adult.
Parking's free and signposted from the A379, or the No.2 bus from Exeter stops at the castle gates. It's card only on the day, and dogs are welcome on short leads.
| When | Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 October, 10:00-17:00 |
| Where | Powderham Castle, Kenton (~20 min from Exeter) |
| Cost | Adults £5.50 in advance or £7.50 on the gate, castle grounds included. Under-16s free with a ticket. |
More Good Stuff
Pikachu and harvest weekend at Killerton
Killerton has two new reasons for a visit this weekend. The Pikachu Art Adventure opened on 1 October, with 30 Pikachu cards hidden around the grounds, each drawn by a different artist, and a chance to design your own card at the end. It's part of the Pokémon card game's 30th birthday, so expect some very focused seven-year-olds.
On Saturday and Sunday it's also the Killerton Harvest, from 10am to 3pm, with apple pressing, pick-your-own apples, local produce stalls, vintage farm machinery and Morris dancing.
Both are included in normal admission, and National Trust members get in free.
| When | Pikachu trail daily, 10:00-17:00 (until 13 November). Harvest Saturday and Sunday, 10:00-15:00 |
| Where | Killerton, Broadclyst (~20 min from Exeter) |
| Cost | Adults from £18, children (5-17) from £9, family (2 adults, 3 children) from £45, under-5s free. National Trust members free. Pay and display parking for non-members (£2.60 up to 2 hours, £5.20 all day). |
South Devon Railway Family Fun Weekend
This is the one for a full day out. Any return or Ranger ticket between Buckfastleigh and Totnes gets you steam train rides along the River Dart plus free entry to the otters and butterflies at Buckfastleigh and the Rare Breeds Farm at Totnes, so you can split the day between both ends of the line.
Book ahead if you can, then collect your tickets and wristbands at the booking office when you arrive. There's free parking at Buckfastleigh, around 35 minutes down the A38.
| When | Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 October, steam trains all day |
| Where | Buckfastleigh station (or Totnes Riverside) |
| Cost | Full-line return adult £23, child (3-15) £12, under-3s free. Family saver £59 (2 adults, 2 children) or £40 (1 adult, 2 children). |
Pumpkin Trick or Treat Trail at The Donkey Sanctuary
The Donkey Sanctuary near Sidmouth has a brand new Halloween trail this month. You follow the map to hidden pumpkins, lift the flap at each one to find out whether the donkey item underneath is a trick or a treat, add a sticker to your trail sheet, then swap the finished sheet for a prize at the Gift Shop.
Entry and parking are free, and there's plenty to fill the rest of the visit, with hundreds of donkeys, daily talks, coastal walks and a restaurant for lunch. The sanctuary's annual Memorial Day runs from 10am to 11am on Saturday, so later that day might be quieter.
| When | Daily until 2 November, 09:00-17:00 |
| Where | The Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth (~35 min from Exeter) |
| Cost | Free entry and parking. The trail itself is extra: sheets are sold in the Gift Shop (the summer trail was £5). |
One free thing
Exeter Gate to Plate
Sidwell Street hosts Exeter's first Gate to Plate food festival on Sunday, with more than 70 food and drink makers, most from within 30 miles of the city, plus entertainment and activities through the day. It's free with nothing to book, and handy for a wander if you're in town anyway. Get there early for the best choice.
| When | Sunday 4 October, 10:00-16:00 |
| Where | Sidwell Street, Exeter city centre |
| Cost | Free |
That's your lot for this week. If you end up going to any of these, hit reply and let me know how it went. It comes straight to the inbox. Have a good weekend.
Details change. Check each venue's website before setting off, especially for timed entry or one-off events.
