Clovelly 2024 Events
Lentsherd, Shrove Tuesday 13 February – 3:30 pm
Lentsherd (pronounced ‘Lanshard’) is an old Clovelly Shrove Tuesday custom. Historically the aim is to chase bad spirits away and drive the devil into the sea before Lent. At dusk children set off Down-a-long, dragging their clattering tin cans. When they reach the harbour, the children’s cans are then tied together, thrown into the sea and then retrieved. Children taking part will receive a free pancake to decorate with toppings.
Find the Easter Chicks, Friday 29 March to Monday 1 April – 10 am to 5 pm
Children receive a village map on entry to Clovelly. This is to mark the location of a number of Easter chicks perched up and down the cobbled High Street to the quay. If they spot at least 10 chicks, they can return the map to the Visitor Centre reception to win a prize.
Seaweed Festival, in aid of the North Devon Hospice, Sunday 26 May – 10 am to 5 pm
Seaweed Festival is held to promote seaweed for its immense health and nutritional benefits. In a multitude of colours, textures, shapes and sizes, it is tasty, full of minerals, fibre without calories and is the best salt substitute. Along the Quay, there is a surprising amount of dishes and the stalls will be selling a range of seaweed products. It is a very informative event, with suitable activities for all to enjoy, including live music and street entertainments throughout the day. Bring your own seaweed for advice from experts on its uses.
Maritime Festival, in aid of the Mission to Seafarers, Sunday 21 July – 10 am to 5 pm
The day will be full of fun for all ages and packed with a programme of all sorts of activities, entertainment, and games throughout the day. Watch the exciting Clovelly Cup yacht race across the bay, starting at 12pm. It is an amazing sight to see the yachts surrounding the harbour and setting off to race across the bay. Throughout the day there will be live music, Higher being Circus street entertainment, activities and games for the whole family. This includes a workshop with Washhouse Studio and Punch & Judy, plus face paintings and a variety of stalls selling food and event-themed arts & crafts.
Free entry for under 16s who come in maritime-themed fancy dress costumes!
Woolsery Agricultural Show, in aid of local charities, Monday 29 July – 08:30 am to 5 pm
A fun-filled day packed with a programme of activities. Classes include crafts, cattle and sheep, together with horse and pony competitions. There will be a dairy marquee with yoghurt and ice cream making, and the chance for children to ‘milk a cow’ along with competitions. You’ll find bustling trade stalls offering locally made crafts and food with fairground rides and a bouncy castle for the children.
Lifeboat Weekend, in aid of the R.N.L.I., Saturday 3 – Sunday 4 August – 9 am to 5 pm
On Saturday there will be a 2-mile sponsored sea swim from Bucks Mills to Clovelly. Sunday is a day full of family fun and action with games and entertainments, competitions, food and drink, music and lifeboat operational displays. The Lifeboat House will be open and there will be an exciting rescue display in the afternoon by Clovelly’s volunteer lifeboat crew. So come along, you will enjoy it.
Gig Regatta, Saturday 31 August – 10 am to 5 pm
It celebrates Devon’s best teams going head-to-head in a fun, but an intense day of competition.
Gig Rowing exploded in popularity over the last few decades. The West Country boasts a long tradition of racing pilot gigs. Gig racing is exciting and strenuous with crews reaching speeds of 9 knots in North Devon’s powerful tidal waters.
You are assured an exhilarating day watching the racing. So come along and cheer on the brave crews!
Lobster & Crab Feast, in aid of The National Lobster Hatchery, Sunday 8 September – 10 am to 5 pm
Clovelly celebrates its famous sustainably caught lobsters and crabs. Live folk music, quay kitchens, cookery demonstrations, a magnum of champagne prize draw, delicious lobster and crab dishes, craft stalls and beer tasting. Plus street theatre, walkabout magic, balloon modelling and craft activities. In aid of The National Lobster Hatchery, Padstow.
Clovelly Court Garden Lights, 16, 17, 30 November. 1, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15 December – 4pm to 10pm
See the Clovelly Court Gardens like never before. Explore the historic gardens after dark as twinkling lights and seasonal cheer fills the air. There will be mulled wine and hot food to be served and also live music.
Clovelly Herring Festival, Sunday 17 November – 10 am to 4 pm
This popular festival celebrates sustainable fishing for herring, the ‘Silver Darlings’ of the sea. Herring, an oily fish, whether fresh or smoked, is an excellent source of some great health benefits, such as low mercury and high protein content.
The Maritime historian and writer, Mike Smylie, attends with his ”Kipperland” exhibition, which is devoted to the history of all things herring and turns the herring into delicate-tasting kippers and bloaters in his smokehouse for sale.
Flaxland will provide their exhibitions and demonstrations. An opportunity to discover how the flax plant is used to make a vast range of goods.
On the quay, kitchens serve a variety of delicious herring specialities along with beer, gin and cider tastings, local food and craft stalls. Throughout the day there will be live music, street entertainers, face-painting, art workshop, an exhibition of Clovelly herring fishing, tasters & recipes and children’s activities.
Christmas Lights, in aid of the R.N.L.I., Sunday, 8 December – 4 pm to 10 pm
The Christmas lights turn-on is a magical time at Clovelly.
Starting at 4 pm, a local brass band leads the procession down to the harbour with festive carols sung along the way.
A hog roast, grog and other refreshments are available at the harbour and Lifeboat Station. Then Father Christmas will make a surprise visit.
At 5 pm the switch is thrown and the entire village and harbour are lit up. It’s a fantastic sight and there’s a grand finale of fireworks to finish off.
Entrance fee: £10 per car at the Visitor Centre after 3 pm. All proceeds to the RNLI
Boxing Day Barbecue, Thursday, 26 December – All day
Boxing Day Barbecue should make the perfect follow-up to Christmas day for all your family and friends. With FREE entrance to Clovelly village all day, take a walk along the estate or explore the village in the morning. Then come on down to the quay to enjoy a lunch barbecue starting at midday with live music running from 1pm to 3 pm.
The Red Lion serves some great mulled cider and delicious, hot chocolate drinks.
There will be a Land Rover available to take you back up if you do not wish to walk.
New Year’s Eve, Tuesday, 31 December – 7 pm to 1 am, Mon. 1 Jan 2025.
A fantastic New Year’s Party will be taking place for both resident and non-resident guests. You will find it a thrilling way to welcome in the New Year in an atmospheric village setting.
Please check www.clovelly.co.uk/events/ for details.
