Available Events

Local historian David Carter hosts a guided walk which will be of interest to anyone who wants to know more about Appledore’s past.  

Sunday 17 September 2023 – 10am to 11.30am (SOLD OUT)
NEW DATE ADDED:
Saturday 23 September 2023 - 10am to 11.30am
Ticket: £8
 

Join Ben Hoare for a walk of discovery as he takes you on a short walk along the coast to find some of nature’s treasures - accompanied by local expert, Martin Unwin. He will show you how to look out for signs of local wildlife, reveal fascinating facts about our natural world, and encourage young minds to explore, uncover and learn about the world around us. Suitable for everyone aged 5+.
Saturday 23 September 2023 - 10.30am to 11.30am
Ticket: £4 per person (all children must be accompanied by an adult please)

In her witty and thought-provoking book Alice Sherwood argues that although our counterfeit culture is shaped by powerful forces of evolution, economics, and technology, it’s not too late to fight back and reclaim reality. You’ll never think about deception and reality in the same way again. Includes a discussion of Artificial Intelligence and its increasing presence in our lives.

Saturday 23 September 2023 - 10.45am to 11.45am
Ticket: £12
 

Come and meet some of the talented authors we have in North Devon, who are known collectively as Literary Fusion.

Participating authors:
Glenda Barnett, Hector Christie, Marcia Clayton, James Dalby, Richard Dee, Clare Finday, Four Sirens Press, Rosie Godfrey, Triona Harris, Ninette Hartley, Nicola Hedges, Johanna Jackson, N.Joy, Chloe Lake, Jan Mazzoni, Gail Morris, J.D Mortain, John Padbury, Jonathan Posner, Elizabeth Revill, Richard Small, Chris Taylor, Frances Thompson, David Watkins, Dawn Westcott, Joseph Witchall

Saturday 23 September 2023 – 11am to 5pm
FREE entry – no ticket required

Join us for the annual festival crabbing competition. Using only line and bait (no nets), your team has one hour to catch your three largest crabs. Meet on the quay opposite Johns of Appledore.
Saturday 23 September 2023 - 11.30am to 12.30pm
£4 per team (not a ticketed event – pay in person on the day)

Author and illustrator Brendan Kearney will read from his latest story featuring Finn and his dog, Skip. This charming tale introduces young children to the problems of pollution in our seas and the importance of recycling. Ideal for children aged 5 and under. 

Saturday 23 September 2023 - 12noon to 12.45pm
FREE entry – no ticket required
 

Join Luke Harding, an award-winning foreign correspondent with the Guardian, with stories from the ground during the build-up and early months of war. Author of Mafia State and co-author of WikiLeaks: Inside Julian Assange's War on Secrecy, and The Snowden Files.

Saturday 23 September 2023 - 12.30pm-1.30pm      
Ticket: £12

Academy award-winning illustrator and Dartmoor resident, Alan Lee, will give us a rare insight into his work on the books and films of J R R Tolkien, including the latest posthumously published novel, The Fall of Númenor.  
Saturday 23 September 2023 - 2.15pm to 3.15pm
Ticket: £12

We are pleased to introduce an Appledore Art Trail – featuring other artists and makers that are tucked away in the heart of the village of Appledore.  Featuring the Appledore Gallery, Appledore Craft Co., the Sandy Brown Museum & Gallery and the North Devon Art Exhibition at Blue Lights Hall

Saturday 16 thru Sunday 24 September 2023 - From 10am daily. Check individual opening times.  
FREE entry – no ticket required
 

Sunday Times bestselling authors S J Parris and Charles Cumming discuss our eternal fascination with spies and espionage, and their latest thrilling novels. Two nail-biting narratives that keep the reader gripped to the end.

Saturday 23 September 2023 - 4pm to 5pm
Ticket: £12

BAFTA award winning actress and TV writer, Ruth Jones, co-creator of BBC One’s Gavin and Stacey in which she played the incorrigible Nessa Jenkins, joins us to talk about her extraordinary career and her latest bestselling novel, Love Untold.

In conversation with Stephanie Merritt

23rd September 2023 - 6pm-7pm
Ticket: £15

 

Deborah Moggach, Libby Page and Georgina Moore
in conversation with Veronica Henry

Three leading fiction writers join us for a morning of lively, entertaining chat, with a delicious brunch included. It's the perfect chance to meet the authors, hear what inspires them, and share the joy of reading with like-minded people, all in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.

10-10.10am    Coffee and welcome
10.10-11am    Interviews with Libby & Georgina
11-12pm         Book signing with Libby & Georgina
Brunch including fruits, yoghurt, ham, cheese, bread and pastries
12-12.45pm   Interview with Deborah Moggach
12.45-1pm     Book signing with Deborah & Veronica
On leaving:    Goody Bag including a free book, and an Appledore Cup

Sunday 24 September 2023 – 10am to 1pm
Ticket: £25 includes brunch and goody bag

Traditional boat builders may call on years of expertise, but a team from the SS Freshspring, a historic steamship based in Bideford, will show you how even a first timer can create their very own clinker-built boat and oars.
Saturday 16th - 10am to 10.30am - Introductary Talk
Wednesday 20th - presented as part of the Seafaring Charities Day at the Community Hall
FREE entry – no ticket required

Richard Westcott and Chris Chapman will give an illustrated talk about their and James Ravilious' work together and the making of the book: A Photographic Friendship. The book is a must for anyone with an interest in the art and science of photography.
Sunday 24 September 2023 – 11am to 12pm
Ticket: £8

Local wildlife expert, Martin Unwin, will take you on a delightful walk to discover the exciting bird life that can be found along the Appledore coastline. 
Monday 18th September 2023 - 9.00am to 10.30am (New date added) (Starts at the Lifeboat Station and finishes at Skern)
Friday 22 September 2023 – 9.30am to 11am (SOLD OUT) (Starts and finishes at the Lifeboat Station)
Sunday 24 September 2023 - 11.30am to 1pm (SOLD OUT) (Starts and finishes at the Lifeboat Station)
Ticket: £8

Award-winning author, Manjeet Mann, helps young readers identify their feelings and embrace their own whirly twirly days.
Sunday 24 September 2023 – 12.30pm to 1pm
FREE entry – no ticket required

Current Waterstones Children’s Laureate, performance poet and author, Joseph Coelho, brings us stories of underwater worlds, demon hamsters, bears in outer space, and portals to places unknown ... all in just ten words!
Sunday 24 September 2023 - 1.30pm to 2.30pm       
Adult Ticket: £8  /  Children Under 12: Free

Join Festival Patron Nick Arnold for an all-new talk and guided walk over Northam's very own battlefield. Find out what really happened in the ultimate showdown in June 1069, then see the Norman killing fields for yourself.
Sunday 24 September 2023 - 2pm to 4.30pm
Ticket: £10

The New Atlantic Wave Art Exhibition returns to the Festival, after its very successful first year. Come to see works by over 30 local artists and makers - everything from seascapes to abstracts. 

Saturday 16 thru Sunday 24 September 2023 (excluding Thursday 21 September)
From 10am until 30 mins after each day’s last event in St Mary’s Church or Hall

FREE entry – no ticket required

Ann Cleeves, a Patron of the Festival, number one bestselling author and creator of Vera and Shetland returns with another captivating novel, set on the North Devon coast, and featuring Detective Matthew Venn.
Sunday 24 September 2023 - 3.15pm-4.15pm      
Ticket: £12

Join former Royal Marine, Major Scotty Mills, the highest-ranking black officer in the history of the Royal Marines. He blends personal experiences from his remarkable life with inspirational advice and insights that could help anyone to do better and reach their targets.

Sunday 24 September 2023 - 5.00pm to 6.00pm   
Ticket: £12

Annual membership: £25

Please note, you do not need a voucher code when purchasing a Membership.