Visit Exmoor this summer and enjoy a mix of festivals, fairs and fun

Visitors to Exmoor this summer can look forward to a host of events encompassing all kinds of festivals, fairs and fun together with a mix of entertaining and quirky days out that are totally unique to the area.
 
Where else can you spend a day exploring and celebrating bogs and wetlands? Head for Simonsbath and Blackpitts on 17 August and enjoy  Bogtastic offering a range of all-weather activities including a bog safari, stream dipping, dam building, bioblitz, undercover exhibitions including historic artefacts, sawmill tours and guided walks; games and stalls selling crafts and local produce.
 
To get the summer off to a great start, visitors should head for Minehead. Heralding the start of Minehead's annual Harbour Festival will be a very special visitor in the form of Tall Ship, Irene of Bridgwater, which will be sailing in to town on 11 July to celebrate the unveiling of seven Minehead Heritage plaques on its harbour wall together with a dedicated book that will tell the story of Minehead's maritime history. More activities to follow at this year's Harbour Festival on 12 July including pirate treasure trails, the RNLI Open Day and a colourful market - a great celebration of everything Minehead has to offer as both a seaside resort and gateway to Exmoor National Park.
 
Castle Hill, on the North Devon border, has a number of different cultural events going on to keep music mad visitors entertained, with the brand new Somersault Festival from 17 – 21 July offering a five day summer camp of music, adventure and outdoor living with Jack Johnson and Ben Howard headlining, weekend tickets are £129.50. somersaultfestival.com  Later on in the summer, 7 August, Castle Hill is putting on an outdoor theatre production called The Pantaloons present the History of Britain- Theatre tickets available from The Plough Arts Centre Tel: 01805 624624. And for fans of classic cars, there is the unmissable Castle Hill Car Festival. This is a fabulous family weekend featuring classic cars, supercars, the Track Sprint Challenge, arena events, food and drink pavilion and the amazing Abarth Stunt Plane.  For more info about Castle Hill events check out: castlehilldevon.co.uk/what-s-on
 
For children of all ages, a spot of Roald Dahl always hits the spot and at Lynmouth on 29 July there will be a chance to enjoy an open air theatre performance of George's Marvellous Medicinewhile indulging in a fish and chip supper, a delicious picnic or just some delicious ice cream in the sunshine. visit-exmoor.co.uk/must-see-and-do/events/georges-marvellous-medicine
 
Entertaining the children in the summer holidays can prove very expensive, but there are plenty of free events on Exmoor.  On 31 July visitors can head to Heddon's Mouth to help celebrate National Parks Week and 60 years of Exmoor's status as a National Park. There will be family games and events lasting all day. exmoornationalpark.gov.uk
 
There is another free day out for families who visit Minehead Summer Festival on 13 August when there will be a fantastic display by the Red Arrows and the chance to ride in a simulator to experience what it's like to fly the skies. There will also be a street market featuring local arts, crafts and food producers. More details: minehead.co.uk
 
And there is a free day of Big Adventures at North Hill on 23 August where there will be games and activities as well as guided walks with local experts. For further details, visit exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk.
 
There are some who say summer isn't summer without a traditional Country Fair and Dunster Country Fair certainly has all the right ingredients.  Held on 30 July on the picturesque setting of Dunster Castle Lawns, it delivers everything a country fair should with dog shows, equestrian events,  clay pigeon shooting, an archery display and of course a funfair and plenty of food and liquid refreshment on offer, with luncheon in the marquee always proving very popular. dunstercountryfair.co.uk. If livestock and agricultural pursuits float your boat then there is also the Dunster Show on 15 August.  The show provides a unique opportunity to see the best of Somerset farming and livestock. It also has some of the best entertainment in West Somerset and is a fun filled day out for all the family. thedunstershow.co.uk
 
Just as Exmoor has a reputation for delivering fabulous events based on traditional country values, it is also known for the animals and wild life that have been part of the landscape for centuries. This year the Exmoor Pony Festival takes place from 9 – 17 August and looks set to be better than ever with safaris, pony shows, rides, walks and special herd open days – with something on each day it's the ideal way to discover the unique Exmoor Pony breed and those famous free-running herds in their native landscape, Exmoor National Park.
 
The Festival is timed to coincide with the Exmoor Pony Society's annual Breed Show on Wednesday 13 August at the Exford Show, which this year has HOYS qualifiers (Horse of the Year Show) and features a Moorland Herds Exhibition Area. More details:visit-exmoor.co.uk/must-see-and-do/events/exmoor-pony-festival
 
For those who prefer their summers to be filled with the sound of music, the Watchet Live Music Festival from 22 – 24 August is West Somerset's largest outdoor performing art and music festival.  For more details visit:  watchetfestival.co.uk .  Visitors not quite up to four days of music can try a mini music festival and visit the intriguingly named Rock the Ghosties Festival on 9 August offering free camping and tickets at just £15 (under 11s free). It will take place at The Poltimore Arms (Yarde Down) near Brayford and features the “The Kast off Kinks” for those seeking a Waterloo Sunset.
 
The above is not an exhaustive list of events; check the Visit Exmoor website for more information: visit-exmoor.co.uk