Visitor Guide Spring Summer 2023 - Flipbook - Page 31
An award-winning
destination for all seasons
ENGLISH RIVIERA
BRIXHAM PIRATE FESTIVAL
IS FOR ALL THE FAMILY
Brixham Pirate Festival takes place
over the Early May Bank Holiday
weekend – from April 29 to May
1 – and is a swashbuckling mix of
seaside shenanigans and piratethemed fun for all the family.
Billed as ‘the annual gathering
of the world’s most infamous pirates
and lowly scallywags’, over the past
decade the event has grown into
a hugely popular celebration of
all things piratical. And all with the
perfectly authentic backdrop of
this charming historic port, which
has been home to a number of
smugglers and pirates over the
centuries.
Why not dress up as a pirate –
an awful lot of people do – and
travel to Brixham by boat from
Torquay and Paignton for the most
authentic arrival.
The whole town is decked out
in ‘skull and cross bones’ while the
sound of seagulls, shanties and
lots of people saying ‘arghhhh me
hearties’ floats through the air.
There’s a real party atmosphere,
with absolutely everyone joining in
the spirit of the event.
Wander round the harbour and
discover all sorts of pirate antics
taking place, including live music,
street performers, street theatre,
historical re-enactments, fancy
dress competitions and themed
food and drink offerings.
The daytime and early evenings
are brilliant fun for all the family,
while later on the adults can warm
their tums with extra rations of rum
in the many harbourside bars.
You are more likely to stick out if
you aren’t dressed like a pirate.
All would-be pirates should
board The Golden Hind, a full-sized
replica of one of the most iconic
ships from the age of exploration.
Sir Francis Drake’s vessel has
been a feature of picturesque
Brixham harbour for over 50 years,
entertaining and educating
thousands of visitors about life
aboard a 16th century sailing ship.
Should you fancy hitting the
seven seas for real – well, Tor Bay
– why not book a sailing aboard
ABOVE:
Why not dress up
as a pirate?
englishriviera.co.uk
BELOW:
Scouting for Girls
are playing the
English Riviera
Food and Music
Festival
Vigilance, a restored sailing trawler
that was built in Brixham in 1926.
Boasting a famous red sail as
featured in the song ‘Red Sails in
the Sunset,’ she worked with the
local fishing fleet before seeing
war service as a barrage balloon
mooring vessel. Today she is a
heritage vessel and unless she is
“Celebration
of all things
piratical”
on charter, you can book to sail
from Easter until September. It’s
usually also possible to board the
boat during the pirate festival – just
behave yourself or they will have
you walking the plank...
www.englishriviera.co.uk
ENGLISH RIVIERA FOOD
AND MUSIC FESTIVAL
Celebrating the best of the South
West, the English Riviera Food and
Music Festival is a new, four-day
food and music event, running from
Friday, 26, until Monday, May 29.
This exciting festival showcases
the region’s finest food, restaurants
and chefs, alongside an incredible
line-up of the UK’s best music
acts, including Scouting For Girls,
UB40, The Feeling and Rebecca
Ferguson.
Over four days enjoy an eclectic
mix of tasty dishes and high-quality
local produce at the daily food
market, see talented chefs cook
up a storm live on stage, enjoy
performances and interactive
activities designed especially for
kids and families.
And top it all off with an
incredible Main Stage line-up from
local homegrown talent, through to
some of the UK’s most well-known
headline acts.
Shining a spotlight on local artists,
the festival will include the Pylon
Poets, an alternative rock trio from
Torquay, and Paignton-based indie
rock band The Emporiums, who
will perform on the Main Stage on
Monday, May 29.
Situated directly on the seafront
overlooking Torquay’s sandy
beaches, Torre Abbey Meadows is
a beautiful place to come together
and enjoy the region’s delicious
delicacies alongside incredible
entertainment for all the family.
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