Happy Devon Day (4 June 2024)
Although Devonians don’t need a special reason to enjoy this beautiful part of the country, the 4th June marks the official day for celebrating Devon.
Devon is celebrated on the 4th June each year as it is the feast day for St Petroc (also known as Petrock) (a 6th century British prince and Celtic saint), who up until 2019, was the Patron Saint of Devon and is to whom the Devon flag is dedicated.
In 2019, Devon’s Patron Saint was changed to St Boniface, an Anglo-Saxon missionary from Crediton (in Mid Devon). Although Devon Day remains the 4th June, St Boniface’s actual feast day is the 5th June so Devon has double celebrations instead of just one day! Boniface (originally named Wynfrith) is famous for his missionary work in Hesse, Friesland and Bavaria (what is now Germany, France and the Netherlands). While in Hesse, Boniface felled an oak tree sacred to pagans and its branches lay on the ground in the shape of a cross. In its descent, sections of the oak crushed every other tree around except for a single fir tree. Legend has it that this is the origin of the Christmas Tree.
How to Celebrate Devon Day
There are many ways you can enjoy Devon Day this year! Here are just some ideas:
Visit the hometown of St Boniface: Crediton
Follow the Boniface Heritage Trail throughout the town with 8 stained glass window statues that mark the trail. The original artwork, by local artist Charlotte Turner, comprises gentle and stylised versions of the eight stained glass windows in the parish church. They tell Wynfrith’s story.
Crediton is a buzzing town all year round with a range of independent shops, a farmers’ market and town centre park with paddling pool.
This Sunday (9 June), Crediton is celebrating its Saint with the “Big Boniface Bash”. Head to Newcombes Meadow Play Area between 10am and 4pm for the free community fun day offering:
- Food, craft, jesters and more at Ye Olde Saxon Fayre
- Live bands at the bandstand: Skaper, The Upper Hand, Chris Ostler, Better Luck Next Time, Crediton Parish Church Choir
- Carnival games and drinks marquee
- Special guests from Fulda (Germany) and Dokkum (The Netherlands), and lots of Devonshire silliness.
Enjoy Devon food and drink
Famous for its fresh, local produce, farmers’ markets and stunning quality flavours, Devon is a food lover’s heaven.
From cosy tea rooms to fine dining, Mid Devon has it all. Enjoy a pleasant walk or cycle ride and stop at one of our country pubs, micro-breweries or vineyards. We have multiple award-winning eateries where you can sample local cuisine. With a number of dog-friendly venues, you’re welcome to bring your four-legged friends.
Visit one of our many farm shops where you can pick your own strawberries, pack a picnic and enjoy lunch in the countryside (see our Farm Shop and Farmers’ Market trail to taste your way across Mid Devon!).
Remember – if you indulge in our Devonshire cream teas, the clotted cream goes first and then the jam on top!
Credit: Martin Bodman / Hemyock: bluebell walk / CC BY-SA 2.0
Explore the Devon countryside
Devon is blessed with a wealth of natural beauty. Nestled between two National Parks (Dartmoor and Exmoor), Mid Devon is ideally placed for exploring the wider landscape. With an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (Blackdown Hills), the Grand Western Canal Country Park and an abundance of patchwork fields, immerse yourself in the idyllic rolling hills and valleys keeping an eye out for the wide variety of wildlife.
Discover scenic viewpoints, country villages, verdant valleys, heathland, moors and countryside walks.
Visit Mid Devon
These are just a few suggestions to help you celebrate Devon Day this year. Follow us on Facebook @VisitMidDevon on Devon Day where we’ll be posting throughout the day with more inspiring ideas. Looking to visit Devon another time? Explore our website and plan your visit; Mid Devon has much to offer and enjoy!
Acknowledgement: Image of the Devon Flag courtesy of South West Heritage (swheritage.org.uk)
