Visit Devon and indulge in the true spirit of Christmas..past and present!

Release Date: 18/10/2011

Visit Devon this Christmas and indulge in the true spirit of the festive season with a feast of festivals, Christmas markets, glittering lights, angelic carol singing and some mouth watering ideas for presents that will make Scrooge smile! www.visitdevon.co.uk

Twinkling Christmas lights are what make this time of year truly special and Clovelly in North Devon and Dartmouth in South Devon have their own unique way of banishing the gloom of winter with a spectacular show of lights.

Clovelly is a quintessential Devon fishing village with cobbled streets and where Christmas is welcomed in with a grand procession, brass band and the Torrington Male Voice Choir. The entire village and harbour is lit up and there is a hog roast, mince pies and mulled wine to keep out the winter cold. Sunday 4 December from 3-30pm-7pm. www.northdevon.com and www.clovelly.co.uk . Candlelight Dartmouth is a wonderful traditional event which brings the local community together to celebrate Christmas with a glorious procession of paper lanterns through the medieval streets of this picturesque town. Accompanied by carol singers and the local town band, Santa steals the show by leaving the reindeers behind and arriving in Dartmouth by boat! 2- 3 December www.candlelightdartmouth.co.uk

Christmas would not be complete without the sound of angelic choir-boys and girls singing Christmas Carols. Join with The Choristers and the Gentlemen of Exeter Cathedral choir in the stunning surroundings of the medieval cathedral at the heart of this lovely county town. Saturday 17 December 7. 30pm . Tickets available from the Cathedral Shop from £8-£12 Tel 01392 271354

There will also be the chance to enjoy another great musical seasonal favourite, Handel’s Messiah which will be performed by the Bournemouth Sinfonia at Exeter Cathedral 19 December at 7.30pm.

Combine a trip to Exeter Cathedral with the opportunity of some late night shopping in Exeter’s cool and contemporary Princesshay development, browse through its sixty shops, bars, restaurants and cafes which reside in the shadow of the grand cathedral and green. www.heartofdevon.com www.princesshay.com

Away from the traditional shopping malls, the delightful market town of Totnes in South Devon has become renowned for its Christmas Festival. The town has a reputation for its ethical and environmentally aware approach to trade so expect craft stalls with a socially responsible take, from rickshaw rides to fair trade goods. It’s all about entertainment and creativity rather than consumerism so pop in for a slice of Christmas, Totnes-style. The historic town’s market square will be given over to gift and food stalls with carol singing, dancing and children’s events.

The Festival will take place on 6, 13, & 20 December, from 5pm- 10pm. www.totnesinformation.co.uk or www.visitsouthdevon.co.uk

Crafts and making your own presents have become hugely popular in 2011 and it is a great way of keeping down the costs of Christmas while having fun and being creative.

For chocoholics at Castle Drogo near Dartmoor, there is a truffle-making workshop which includes a talk on the history of the truffle and then the opportunity to get really get stuck in and indulge yourself and make and taste some heavenly truffles. Truffle workshop November 17 01647 433306 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/drogo Tickets £22.50 including lunch.

Dartington Crystal in North Devon will be giving visitors the opportunity to become glass blowers for a day and to create their own unique Christmas gifts of baubles. www.dartington.co.uk/visit-us . Tel: 01805 626242,

The Devon Guild of Craftsmen will definitely have what you are looking for when searching for the ideal gift for that difficult to buy for friend or relative. The Guild will be showcasing the exquisite work of more than 50 makers from across Devon and the UK. Try your hand at making jewellery with Devon Guild member Lizzie Sanders November 26.Contemporary crafts for Christmas runs from 12 November – 2 January. The workshop on 26 November 10am-4pm and costs £40. Booking is essential - call 01626 832223.

For more information about where to stay in Devon at Christmas, from cosy cottages to historic houses and castles, please visit. www.visitdevon.co.uk

For more information about Visit Devon, contact Rosie Bates, General Manager, T/: 01392 332828 or M/: 07854 952 352 or E/: rosie@visitdevon.co.uk or go to www.visitdevon.co.uk. For further press information contact: Jane Adkins T/: 01935 813114 M/: 07960 698089 E/: jane@aheadforpr.co.uk Gail Livingstone T/: 01823 252415 M/:07767 055595 E/: gail@aheadforpr.co.uk

Notes to Editors

Visit Devon is the destination management organisation responsible for promoting Devon to the world. The organisation acts as a voice for tourism in Devon and its aim is simple - to increase the number of visitors to Devon by promoting the county as a year-round destination for business or leisure. The organization brings together, adds value to and enhances the work and activities undertaken by the six Area Tourism Partnerships across the county. Visit Devon is committed to growing the tourism sector sustainably, increasing the skills within the industry, and raising the quality of the visitor experience.

Visit Devon is a public-private partnership limited by guarantee. The not for profit company comprises nine member organizations including the six Area Tourism Partnerships (The Heart of Devon, Visit Plymouth, North Devon+, The Dartmoor Partnership, The English Riviera Tourist Board, and Visit South Devon, Devon County Council, The Devon Association of Tourist attractions (DATA), and Devon Farms. Visit Devon is the trading name of Destination Devon Ltd.