A basket of apples, apple press and glass of apple juice.

Things to do at Brownscombe during Autumn 2015

Join us at one of the most beautiful times of year in Devon. The leaves are changing colour, the trees are laden with apples, and the nights are drawing in. You can spend your days foraging mussels from the beach and blackberries from the hedgerows, followed by cosy nights in front of the fire listening to the owls swoop up the valley.

If you’re staying with us on Saturday 17 October, the National Trust is making a cider press available to the village at our neighbouring Compton Castle. You can help us pick the Brownscombe apples and put them through the press. We’ll be able to drink some fresh apple juice straight away and plan to make cider out of the rest.

And here are some other events to look out for in or around Brownscombe.

  • 18 September – 31 October: Rugby World Cup. Three matches are taking place in Exeter and there are big screens up locally where you can watch the live matches with the locals. The atmosphere will be amazing. Find out more on the official Rugby World Cup website.
  • 18 – 20 September: Abbfest Food and Drink Festival. Abbfest is a Devon celebration of food and drink suitable for the whole family and takes place just two miles from Brownscombe. It starts in the evening on Friday 18 September with a giant screening of England’s first match against Fiji at Rugby World Cup 2015 – kick off at 8pm. Visit the Abbfest Food and Drink Festival website.
  • 19 September: Exeter Wheelers Cycling Club, Hill Climb Festival. The Exeter Wheelers hill climb is a mad dash up Stoke Hill along a course of around 1.2 miles. This year’s event has been expanded to include an open hill climb, children’s GoRide races and a charity team race. Find out more about the Hill Climb Festival.
  • 3 October: Powderham Food Festival. Devon’s premier food festival in the most beautiful of settings at Powderham Castle, Kenton, near Exeter. Go to the Powderham Food Festival website. 
  • 8 and 20 October: Racing at Exeter Racecourse. Enjoy a day out at the races at the South West’s most prestigious racecourse, sitting high on the top of Haldon Hill, just outside Exeter with wonderful views down towards Dartmoor. Visit the Exeter Racecourse website.
  • 11 October: Hammer and Sickle, Hammer Sports cycling event. These group sportives allow people to ride together, chat and make friends whilst being guided through the stunning South Hams autumn scenery. Each group has a ride captain and there are different groups for different abilities. Read more about the Hammer and Sickle event.
  • 14 October: Tavistock Goose Fair. The annual Goose Fair (or Goosey Fair) in Tavistock dates back to the early 12th Century. Farmers brought their geese for sale, ready for fattening before Christmas, and drove them through the streets to the market. These days market traders come from all over the country to sell their wares and provide entertainment, making for a great day out. Find out more about the Tavistock Goose Fair.
  • 17 October: Apple pressing and cider making at Compton castle. The National Trust is making a cider press and pulper available to the village and we will be picking our Brownscombe apples to put through the press.
  • 16–24 October: Dartmouth Galleries Festival. Dartmouth has a great selection of galleries with beautiful art, craft and jewellery on display. Twice a year the town holds a galleries week, when up to 12 of the galleries launch a new exhibition on the same evening. Attend private views or follow the galleries trial map to explore what’s on offer. Find out more about Dartmouth Galleries Festival.
  • 23-25 October: Dartmouth Food Festival. An annual festival celebrating all things food and wine. This free event was named one of the top ten UK food festivals by the Guardian so it’s definitely worth a visit (and a taste or two). Visit the Dartmouth Food Festival website.