Clovelly Events 2023
Lentsherd, Shrove Tuesday 21 February 2023
Lentsherd (pronounced ‘Lanshard’) is an old Clovelly Shrove Tuesday custom, and 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, clattering tin cans, which are then tied together and thrown into the sea (later retrieved). Children taking part will receive a free pancake to decorate with toppings.
Find the Easter Chicks, Friday 7 April to Monday 10 April 2023
Children receive a village map on entry on which 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 28 May 2023, 10am to 5 pm
Held to promote seaweed for its immense health and nutritional benefits. Quay kitchens will be serving a variety of dishes, and stalls will be selling a range of seaweed products and arts and crafts. Plus live music, craft activities and workshops, talks and demonstrations and street entertainments. Bring your own seaweed for advice from experts on its uses.
Maritime Festival, in aid of the Mission to Seafarers, Sunday 23 July 2023, 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. Enjoy live music, street entertainments, event-themed arts & crafts, mermaid storytelling, Punch & Judy, face painting and stalls selling delicious food. Free entry for under 16s who come in maritime-themed fancy dress costumes!
Woolsery Agricultural Show, in aid of local charities, Monday 31 July 2023
This popular summer show includes livestock, cattle and sheep, craft and trade stalls, horse and pony competitions, a dairy marquee with yoghurt/ice cream making, ‘milk a cow’, competitions, a fast and furious inter hunt relay, bustling trade stalls, a bouncy castle and a parade of vintage machinery to finish the day.
Lifeboat Weekend, in aid of the R.N.L.I., Saturday 5 – Sunday 6 August 2023
This year we are joining forces for a thrilling family fun-filled weekend. On the Saturday, watch the Clovelly Cup yacht race and 2-mile sponsored sea swim from Bucks Mills to Clovelly. And on both days, there will be live music, stalls selling delicious food, BBQs and so much entertainment for all, including children’s activities.
Gig Regatta, Saturday 26 August 2023
Gig racing is exciting and strenuous. You are assured an exhilarating day watching the racing. So come along and cheer on the crews as they brave North Devon’s waters!
Lobster & Crab Feast, in aid of The National Lobster Hatchery, Sunday 3 September 2023, 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.
Apple Day, Sunday 22 October 2023
Bring a bag of apples, have them pressed at the Visitor Centre, taste the juice, or bring more for pasteurisation and bottling. On entry to Clovelly, children can enjoy apple games and crafts, apple bobbing and stamping. There’ll be a farmers market plus a fun harvest hunt with spooky stories, for which you need to pre-book your place.
Clovelly Herring Festival, Sunday 19 November 2023, 10 am to 4 pm
Clovelly was once a centre for herring fishing. This popular festival celebrates sustainable fishing and herring, the ‘Silver Darlings’ of the sea. There will be delicious herring specialities, an exhibition of Clovelly herring fishing, cookery demonstrations, live music, street entertainment, local food and craft stalls and face paintings. Plus net making, Flaxland’s exhibitions and demonstrations and a curragh on show.
Mike Smylie, maritime historian and writer, returns with his ”Kipperland” exhibition, and turn herring into delicious-tasting kippers and bloaters in his smokehouse for sale.
Christmas Lights, in aid of the R.N.L.I., Sunday, 3 December 2023
The Christmas lights turn-on is a magical time at Clovelly.
Starting at 3:30 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, Tuesday, 26 December 2023
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, Sunday, 31 December 2023
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.
