When it comes to commemorating the Mayflower Plymouth and Dartmouth, in South Devon are two of the fourteen UK towns participating in a partnership commemorating the 400–year anniversary of the sailing of Mayflower to the New World.
Superyachts are already setting course for which this year will see the area showcasing an impressive and diverse calendar of events, including spectacular festivals and regattas, dazzling food and drink, as well as offering beautiful anchorages to stay in.
Marking a historic year in 2020 South Devon joins key destinations throughout the world in commemorating the 400 year anniversary of the sailing of The Mayflower to America with a series of exciting events and projects culminating with a week in each location packed with events including a grand river pageant, visiting the Mayflower Replica, art installations as well as concerts and performances.
The Mayflower Week Dartmouth takes place from the 30th of August to the 5th of September and Mayflower Week Plymouth takes place from the 14th to the 20th September.
World class sailing events and regattas
South Devon with its dramatic coastline has no shortage of things to do if you’re a watersports or sailing enthusiast.
This year Plymouth is to host two major transatlantic races, the Original Single-handed Transatlantic Race (OSTAR) and the Two-handed Transatlantic Race (TWOSTAR) on 10th May. The start of the OSTAR has been brought in one year early (it normally runs every four years) to mark the 60th anniversary of the first race run in 1960, and to form part of the Mayflower 400 commemoration year.
For sailing regatta lovers you’ll be spoilt for choice in August with regattas being held right across the region. The first regatta of the season is Salcombe (1st – 8th August) followed by Teignmouth (2nd- 9th August), Dartmouth (27th -29th August) and finally in Sidmouth (29th -30th August).
Experience the region’s best food and drink
With its plentiful farmland and impressive number of independent food and drink producers, South Devon serves up some of the best food and drink around. This year the region is once again showcasing its delicious award winning produce at a number of food and drinks festivals.
Foodie delights will include Cullompton Spring Festival of Food, Music and Craft (11th April) followed by Exeter Festival of Food & Drinkin May (8th -10th May).
The south west’s largest food and drink festival Flavour Fest returns to Plymouth’s city centre Piazza from Friday 29th May to Sunday 31st May 2020, with the Plymouth Seafood Festival to be held on the Barbican and Sutton Harbour areas of the historic city later in the year (12th and 13th September)..
The regal Powderham Castle toasts autumn with a harvest of local food producers exhibiting at the Powderham Food Festival (3rd – 4th October) and the perennially popular Dartmouth Food Festival will close the season with a three-day foodie event (23rd – 25th October).
Find out more about Food and Drink in South Devon here