Devon


<h2 class="wp-block-heading">STONE LANE GARDENS, Chagford</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/threeinchfools.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-43895" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/threeinchfools.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/threeinchfools-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/threeinchfools-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/threeinchfools-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/threeinchfools-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption>Pic credit: Three Inch Fools</figcaption></figure>



<p>This five-acre gem of a garden bristles with National Collections of birch trees and alder, which provide an elegant backdrop for their annual sculpture exhibition. Plus, on Weds 24 August, Three Inch Fools are performing <em><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://stonelanegardens.com/shop/tickets/twelfth-night-adult-ticket/" target="_blank">Twelfth Night</a></em>, a musical take on the Shakespearian comedy which sounds a hoot. Bring your blanket, chairs and vittles. Tickets £16.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">HARTLAND ABBEY, Hartland</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="951" height="595" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/05/hartland.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-43713" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/05/hartland.jpg 951w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/05/hartland-800x501.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/05/hartland-768x481.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/05/hartland-839x525.jpg 839w" sizes="(max-width: 951px) 100vw, 951px" /></figure>



<p>Dating back to the 12th century and noted for being England&#8217;s last monastery to be dissolved by Henry VIII (he gave it to the Sergeant of his Wine Cellar, as you do) Hartland Abbey is an appropriately historic backdrop for two Shakespeare productions this summer, including Sun &amp; Moon Theatre&#8217;s <em><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.theploughartscentre.org.uk/event/much-ado-about-nothing-william-shakespeare-3" target="_blank">Much Ado about Nothing</a></em>, on Weds 8 Jun and Three Inch Fools&#8217; <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Twelfth Night  (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.hartlandabbey.com/events-exhibitions/" target="_blank"><em>Twelfth Night</em> </a>on Thurs 25 August. For kids, there are three plays suitable for 6-11 year olds, all including drama workshops &#8211; BoxTree Productions <em>The Three Musketeers</em> on Sun 24 July; The Last Baguette&#8217;s<em> King Arthur</em>&nbsp;on Thurs 4 Aug and David Walliams&#8217; <em>Awful Auntie</em> brought to life by Heartbreak Productions on Tues 16 Aug. Bring a picnic, a blanket or book one (or a cream tea) in advance. Tickets £10-15pp, plus £5 for the kids&#8217; workshop.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">KNACKERSHOLE BARN GARDEN THEATRE, Dulverton</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="999" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/common-players.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-43905" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/common-players.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/common-players-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/common-players-1000x666.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/common-players-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/common-players-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption>Pic credit The Common Players</figcaption></figure>



<p>Don&#8217;t be late for a very important date&#8230;on Sunday 17 July, The Common Players are at the charmingly named Knackershole Barn interpreting <em><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Alice in Wonderland (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.exetercityofliterature.com/event-picks/alice-open-air-common-players-dulverton" target="_blank">Alice in Wonderland</a></em> via Monty Python with puppets, live music and dancing thrown in for good measure. Tickets £6 -£4. (Can&#8217;t make the date? Check out 26 other performances around Devon on their <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Facebook page (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.exetercityofliterature.com/event-picks/alice-open-air-common-players-dulverton" target="_blank">Facebook page</a>.)</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">RAMM (ROYAL ALBERT MEMORIAL MUSEUM), Exeter</h2>



<p>Revisit Exeter’s Roman past with an evening of myth and legend, <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://exeterramm.admit-one.eu/?p=tickets&amp;perfCode=4922&amp;ev=4417" target="_blank"><em>Dreaming up the Past</em>,</a>&nbsp;on Fri 17 Jun, inspired by artefacts at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and performed in the atmospheric outdoor setting of Exeter’s Roman wall. Tickets: £5-10pp</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">CASTLE DROGO, Drewsteignton</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="886" height="589" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/boxtree.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-43916" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/boxtree.jpg 886w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/boxtree-800x532.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/boxtree-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/boxtree-790x525.jpg 790w" sizes="(max-width: 886px) 100vw, 886px" /><figcaption>Pic credit Box Tree Productions</figcaption></figure>



<p>Spread your blanket in the grounds of the last castle to be built in England, the National Trust owned Castle Drogo in the lush Teign Valley, for two timeless choices: JM Barrie&#8217;s <em><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Peter Pan  (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.theploughartscentre.org.uk/event/illyria-peter-pan-jm-barrie-adapted-oliver-gray" target="_blank">Peter Pan </a></em>from Illiyria on Sat 18 Jun including a. collection for Great Ormond Street; or an open-air family musical of <em><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="The Three Musketeers (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.theploughartscentre.org.uk/event/three-musketeers-1" target="_blank">The Three Musketeers</a></em> on Sat 29 July from Box Tree Productions (above) who promise &#8216;your buckle will never be so swashed!&#8217;. Tickets £10-13 </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">POWDERHAM CASTLE, Kenton</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="800" height="600" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/the_mellstock_quire-image800x600-crop.png" alt="" class="wp-image-43854" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/the_mellstock_quire-image800x600-crop.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/the_mellstock_quire-image800x600-crop-768x576.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/the_mellstock_quire-image800x600-crop-700x525.png 700w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></figure>



<p>Powderham Castle&#8217;s historic 14th century courtyard is the setting for this play with music, <em><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="The Mellstock Quire (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.powderham.co.uk/events/view/the-mellstock-quire" target="_blank">The Mellstock Quire</a></em>, adapted from the Thomas Hardy novel, <em>Under the Greenwood Tree</em>, from local thesps, Topsham Estuary Players. Bring your own chairs or beanbags not blankets for this one, the courtyard floor is tarmac.  Tickets £5.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Arlington Court, Barnstaple</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="563" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/awful-auntie.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-43864" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/awful-auntie.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/awful-auntie-800x450.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/awful-auntie-768x432.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/awful-auntie-900x507.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>All in the summer hols, and all suitable for kids, National Trust Arlington Court has a pretty Regency house and a collection of horse-drawn carriages to admire, so go early and make a day of it. Dates for your diary are <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="King Arthur  (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/events/c860d2f2-373b-48ba-a7dc-fd94aa727ea1/pages/details" target="_blank"><em>King Arthur</em> </a>(Weds 3 Aug); <em><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="A Midsummer Night's Dream (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/events/355e060f-32f5-4b41-a069-3843abe3648e/pages/details" target="_blank">A Midsummer Night&#8217;s Dream</a></em> (Sun 14 Aug) <em><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="The War of the Worlds (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/events/d680bf2b-392c-4cee-9440-a6b5fee727e7/pages/details" target="_blank">The War of the Worlds</a></em> (Sun 21 Aug) and David Walliams&#8217; <em><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Awful Auntie (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/events/a24824e7-a1f9-4443-8824-1a300a51ac07/pages/details" target="_blank">Awful Auntie</a></em> (Tues 30 Aug). All are held at 6pm on the lawn in front of the house, with BYO picnics and blankets very much the vibe, and some performances are previewed by kids&#8217; drama workshops. Tickets £13-10.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">RHS Garden Rosemoor, Great Torrington</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="837" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/heartbreak.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-43919" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/heartbreak.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/heartbreak-800x670.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/heartbreak-768x643.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/heartbreak-627x525.jpg 627w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>Pic credit Heartbreak Productions</figcaption></figure>



<p>Four opportunities to enjoy drama among the dahlias, all in association with the Plough Arts Centre and including a chance for them to let down their hair at a <em>Rapunzel</em>-based drama workshop (<a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="40+ outdoor plays here (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.theploughartscentre.org.uk/whats-on/live/open-air/theatre-open-air" target="_blank">40+ outdoor plays here</a>) plus Hotbuckle Productions&#8217; <em><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Great Expectations (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.theploughartscentre.org.uk/whats-on/venue/RHS%20Garden%20Rosemoor" target="_blank">Great Expectations</a> </em>on Sun 26 Jun; Immersion Theatre&#8217;s <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Rapunzel  (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.theploughartscentre.org.uk/event/rapunzel" target="_blank">Rapunzel </a>on Weds 10 Aug; and <em><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Much Ado about Murder (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.theploughartscentre.org.uk/event/much-ado-about-murder-0" target="_blank">Much Ado about Murder</a></em> from Heartbreak Productions (above) on Sun 28 Aug, an original murder mystery with five suspects, silly songs and mayhem and you, the Miss Marpling audience, playing detective. Tickets £13-10.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">COCKINGTON COURT, Torquay </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1001" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/Pirates-Photo-2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-43873" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/Pirates-Photo-2.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/Pirates-Photo-2-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/Pirates-Photo-2-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/Pirates-Photo-2-768x513.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/Pirates-Photo-2-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption>Pic credit Illyria Productions</figcaption></figure>



<p>Three productions from the brilliant Illyria Productions, who the <em>Daily Telegraph</em> rightly describe as giving &#8216;topnotch outdoor theatre&#8217; for over 30 years, so you&#8217;re in for a treat: <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="A Misummer Night's Dream  (opens in a new tab)" href="https://cockingtoncourt.org/events/a-midsummer-nights-dream-by-william-shakespeare/" target="_blank"><em>A Misummer Night&#8217;s Dream</em> </a>on Weds 10 Aug; <em><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Peter Pan (opens in a new tab)" href="https://cockingtoncourt.org/events/peter-pan-by-j-m-barrie-adapted-by-oliver-gray/" target="_blank">Peter Pan</a> </em>on Sun 28 Aug and <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Pirates of Penzance (opens in a new tab)" href="https://cockingtoncourt.org/events/the-pirates-of-penzance-by-gilbert-sullivan/" target="_blank">Pirates of Penzance</a> on Thurs 1 Sept. Here&#8217;s also a creative hub with a sculpture garden, craft studios, the Seven Dials Cafe and leisurely walks around the grounds.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">CLOVELLY COURT PARK, Clovelly</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="960" height="890" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/warworlds.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-43883" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/warworlds.jpg 960w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/warworlds-800x742.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/warworlds-768x712.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/warworlds-566x525.jpg 566w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" /><figcaption>Pic credit The Pantaloons</figcaption></figure>



<p>North Devon&#8217;s historic fishing village plays host to <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="four family-friendly performances (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.theploughartscentre.org.uk/whats-on/venue/Clovelly%20Court" target="_blank">four family-friendly performances</a> this summer, with help from the Plough Arts, including the Gilbert &amp; Sullivan <em>Pirates of Penzance</em> (Sat 2 Jul), <em>Much Ado about Nothing</em> (Sun 10 Jul), <em>A Midsummer Night&#8217;s Dream</em> (Tues 16 Aug) and HG Wells&#8217; <em>The War of the Worlds</em> (Sat 20 Aug). Blanket seating is reserved at the front or bring a low-back chair, soft drinks available, tickets £13-10.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Sheldon Open Air Theatre (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.sheldontheatre.co.uk/gigs" target="_blank">Sheldon Open Air Theatre</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/sheldon.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-43890" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/sheldon.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/sheldon-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/sheldon-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/sheldon-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/sheldon-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption>Pic credit Sheldon Open Air Theatre </figcaption></figure>



<p>This hidden gem of an outdoor theatre at Sheldon, near Doddiscombeleigh in the Teign Valley is nestled in a natural amphitheatre of grassy banks and terraces. There&#8217;s no theatre on the menu for 2022, but I&#8217;ve included it as I&#8217;d never heard of it and it sounds cool! There are <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="three gigs (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.sheldontheatre.co.uk/gigs" target="_blank">three music gigs</a>, including tribute acts, Pure Queen and Counterfeit Beatles and local band, Joey the Lips, all coming your way in July. Tickets £20-£12. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">TAPELEY PARK, Barnstaple</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/handlebards.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-43911" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/handlebards.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/handlebards-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/handlebards-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/handlebards-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/handlebards-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/handlebards-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/handlebards-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/handlebards-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption>Pic credit The HandleBards</figcaption></figure>



<p>Plenty of thespian high jinks to enjoy at North Devon&#8217;s Italianate garden this summer, including doing the rounds many already mentioned, plus on Tuesday 19 July, Oscar Wilde&#8217;s <em><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="The Importance of Being Earnest (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.christieestates.co.uk/outdoor-theatre-peter-pan-mon-30th-may-2/" target="_blank">The Importance of Being Earnest</a></em>, from wittily named HandleBards, an intrepid bunch of cycling actors, who carry their props, costume and set on the back of their bikes to pedal their plays. And its that alone isn&#8217;t worth a standing ovation, then what is?</p>


12 places to see outdoor theatre in Devon

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