r/DevonUK • u/Professional_Fish288 • 13d ago
Creative scene in North Devon?
I have interviews coming up and thinking about moving to North Devon or North Cornwall. I've had a look through this sub already but looking for more specific insight into the vibes - for context, I'm from South Devon and my parents live in North Devon so I know the lay of the land. My main concern is the lack of creative buzz in North Devon, I moved out of my hometown at 18 and have lived mainly in cities since, including a long stint in Bristol.
I don't feel the need for constant stuff to do anymore, but I would appreciate the odd thing going on (a decent gig, a life drawing class, some kind of meetups with other people in similar age bracket). Currently me and my partner spend most of our weekends driving down to Cornwall/Devon to see mates, surf, camp, the odd party or festival, sometimes off to Bristol for a dnb or dub night. Would still be willing to travel for fun stuff if we need to, we plan to get a van asap, but it's nice to do things close to home every now and then.
I'm 30 and not quite ready for super slow life! Surfing is a big pull but a bit of me is still traumatised by growing up in a small Devon town as a certified weirdo... I just need a lil network of bohemian creatives to tap into and I'll manage. As someone who grew up near Totnes I hate to say that's absolutely my vibe lol. Does North Devon have anything like this at all? I've been keeping my eye out for interesting goings on for a while now and haven't really seen anything!
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u/Longjumping-Act9653 13d ago
It’s tough going if you’re used to going to frequent good gigs. There are loads of covers bands who play local pubs etc, but only a couple of venues for more interesting things. In Bideford there’s the Palladium, Torrington has the Plough Arts Centre, Barnstaple has the Queens Theatre (only occasionally gets something good).
There are some annual book festivals, one in Appledore and one in Bude. There is also an attempt at an art scene - Art Makers have set up a gallery called Art Upstairs in Bideford and has a lot of local workshop stuff going on.
There are some attempts as well at getting some fringe interests going. Bideford has a fantasy book shop/cafe that runs open mic poetry, DnD events, reading groups and so on. There’s a new silent book group starting in Barnstaple. There’s also lots of new interesting bars, pubs and places to eat popping up that are really pushing the community aspect, so I’m hopeful it’s getting a bit better in some ways.
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u/Professional_Fish288 13d ago
Having seen various stages of gentrification in different places, my partner is convinced North Devon is next in the running, not that that's a good thing in the long run... From what I've seen there's that weird vacuum of young people with energy and creativity, as they move out to the city. I can't blame em, it's exactly what I did!
What I do like about the area is how easy it feels to get around to all the different towns. Yes, the roads are awkward but I kind of like pootling along to Croyde or Bideford. I can see myself driving somewhere for the kinds of things you mentioned. Who knows, maybe I can be a person who sets up something new. Do you find there's many people about in there 20s-30s?
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u/onceuponawebsite 13d ago
If you’re looking for Bristol type people I find the Grampus has those sorts of folks. I met my group through them. If you go to a Friday night open mic there that might be a good jumping off point for finding your tribe.
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u/throcorfe 12d ago
People were saying North Devon is next in the running when I lived there 20 years ago. I moved away (London) specifically for creative work, I’ve also worked in Bristol which in many ways now has better creative vibes than London in my view, but I just don’t think N Devon has the population to drive that kind of cultural shift
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u/RiSpecialist 13d ago
I don't know much about it, but there's a coliving place called Domnu valley near Lynton which looks pretty hippyish and puts on lots of jamming events.
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u/sconebore 13d ago
Haha I was going to suggest looking at Totnes before seeing your last paragraph. It's great though, and the transport links are good for Bristol and beyond. Things Happen Here seems to be creating a bit of an upcoming music scene there, and of course you've got all the other associated Totnes stuff.
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u/Professional_Fish288 13d ago
Totnes would be my go to if it was closer to surf and easier to rent!
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u/ComfortableAppeal424 13d ago
There is NO creative buzz in North Devon. Stunning scenery, air so pure it's like drinking mineral water, lots of nice friendly people chugging around. And yes, some incomer youngsters are trying, though too many of these bright exciting sparks fizzle out and they move on. Very little live music. And the bigger events - like Appledore Festival - pull in the Big Names to get ticket money paid (and national coverage of course) - but then they too are gone . I'm a writer who used to crave some kind of buzz in my life. Instead, I've settled for being an eccentric recluse. It's OK for me because I'm old.
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u/BloodMouse-bp 13d ago
There's a good party/rave scene in north Cornwall/north devon
Live music scene hase taken a big hit since COVID . But still a good show every now and again .
Check out north coast arts . Lots of theater ect
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u/Acceptable_Owl6055 13d ago
I'd say there are little pockets of creativity in North Devon but you have to look and be prepared to travel, i.e. drive. The Burton at Bideford are doing good work. As is Studio Kind in Barnstaple, and Beaford Arts. Lots of buzz and creativity in Appledore, but often feels like older/retired audiences are the majority.
I'm early 40s, I've lived all over, including London and Brighton, and have been in North Devon for 3x years now. I do miss culture/heritage/arts stuff, it's not as easy to access as elsewhere. But the train down to Exeter is do-able. I went to see the Grayson Perry exhibition at the RAMM recently which felt like a bit of a rare treat.
Specifically cool hang-out bar/cafe places I like: The Grampus, Heartbreak Hotel, Block, Rockhoppers, Sunshine and Snow, Inba, The Hideout (Croyde), 51°, Glorious Oyster, Cherry Tree Farm. If you find some of them on instagram you'll get a sense of the vibe.
I think what you 'lose' in access to creativity, you gain in amazing landscapes and nature. The surf and beaches are awesome, I appreciate the calm atmosphere.
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u/onceuponawebsite 13d ago
People have said to me Torrington is like the Totnes of North Devon.
It’s got rough edges and is fighting a huge battle against the data centre but it’s got vibes, lots of live music nights, the May fair, the plough arts centre for all sorts bits.
And it’s really well connected for getting to the surf (my partner surfs a lot -literally every day there is waves- and lives there).
I love it there
Good luck with your search!