Contact: Wendy W
We have been going on our Away Days now for ten years! We have organised 33 visits with 27 different venues during this decade (although we only managed one visit over two years due to Covid). We have travelled as far as Cardiff, Worcester, Longleat and Minack and it seems like everywhere else in-between.
Our first trip in 2026 will be to Toby’s Garden Festival on Friday 1st May which is being held at Powderham Castle near Exeter, the 14th Century family home of the Earl and Countess of Devon. The main focus is to bring together the best nurseries from the West Country, including many well-known Chelsea medal winners, and host (two) days of gardening talks on a wide range of horticultural topics, all free to us. There will also be “top notch” arts and crafts, locally made street food to suit all tastes and free family music and entertainment.
There are various areas to explore, including the:
Artisan Barn – under cover in the riding stables area, filled with market stalls offering craft, art, house plants, hand-made edibles and lots of indoor seating.
Garden Village – home to some of the best plant nurseries selling everything from agapanthus to zantedeschia, as well as rare and unusual plants at great prices.
Feast Street – a range of street food sellers including locally reared meat, vegan, and veggie options as well as light snacks, tea, coffee and lots of cake! This is where the Country Gardener Talks Tent will host the nursery speakers and demos.
Castle and Courtyard – under a rainbow of colourful pop-up gazebos, you will find a range of food craft and nursery exhibitors.
So something for everyone, although they didn’t tell us if they had organised a warm, sunny day!
Tickets will be available from Friday 10th April strictly from 10.00am until 12.00 noon. Booking contacts are as follows:
Sally Tel: 07876 197644
Phil Tel: 07854 257358
Wendy email - wendyann2591@gmail.com
The cost, including coach, entrance fee and driver’s gratuity, will be £30 by cash or cheque, made payable to Plymstock & District u3a Social Account. If there are any tickets remaining, they will also be available at the General Meeting to be held on Friday 17th April or thereafter by email to Wendy.
The Festival is a collaboration by gardening broadcaster Toby Buckland and the magazine Country Gardener.
2026 Schedule
| Friday, 1st May. | Powderham Castle – Toby’s Garden Festival |
| Thursday, 9th July | Tiverton Canal Horse Drawn Barge and Knightshayes (National Trust) |
| Tuesday, 8th September | Widecombe Fair |
Past Away Days
October 2025
Britannia Royal Naval College and Dartmouth Food Festival
Britannia Royal Naval College Tour:
The BRNC designed by respected architect, Aston Wells, is built on land owned by the Raleigh Estate, compulsorily purchased in 1898. The budget was £220,600 and an estimated completion time of three and half years. The magnificent red brick building and contrasting pale Portland stone stands proud on the hill overlooking the River Dart. The College opened its doors to cadets in 1905.
The Chapel interior is Bath stone with beautiful Italian marble around the walls of the Sanctuary. The stained-glass window above the Altar was presented by the parents of the first cadets in 1905. There is a small circular window with an inset stone cross which provides a magical event at 16:15 on every 21 October when the sun cross rests on the head and raised hand of the central figure, Jesus Christ, at the Altar. This marks the time and date of the death of Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson at the battle of Trafalgar in 1805. It is a remarkable achievement to align this and the photographs were stunning.
The parquet floored Main Corridor located in the centre of the College runs 220 yards from the Chapel to the Senior Gunroom. There are no doors to interrupt the impressive view of its full length.
The BRNC provides training for service in the Royal Navy. Aged between 18-31 years, young men and women from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences are recruited. There are intakes three times a year, each intake has 150 recruits. Their training is intensive physically and academically. Their Maritime training is on the River Dart. The final weeklong assessment on the River Dart comprises challenges and situations they may encounter at sea.
The Passing Out Parade, attended by family and friends, is a culmination of Naval Officer training. It is an occasion of joy and pride as the young officers march up the steps of the parade ground and through the central doors of the College to the music of the Royal Marine Band.
The one and a half hour tour was led by very knowledgeable Guides. Fifty u3a members were split into two groups. We visited the Senior Gunroom, Chapel, Main Corridor and the Museum. The College is steeped in fascinating history and traditions. This review is unable to include all the interesting information that we experienced but hopefully might tempt you to visit if you have not already done so.
Food Festival:
We were dropped off in the town for the Food Festival at 12:30. Many food and drink outlets were set up along the Quayside and in the park.
With the stunning backdrop of the River Dart, the Festival is an annual event and a celebration of International and local food, drink and culinary talent. The Chefs’ Demonstration Theatre held entertaining sessions and was free to enter.
Food for all tastes was available from the trade stands. Local farm produce was showcased and on sale, including meat, cheeses, dairy produce and fruit and vegetables. Locally made wine and spirits were on offer to sample also to purchase.
This popular event was busy with people browsing and enjoying the atmosphere. The weather was a lovely Autumn Day, chilly, dry and sunny.
We departed from Dartmouth at 16:30 having enjoyed a really interesting and informative day.
August 2025
Sidmouth Folk Festival
Today was our third visit to the Annual Folk Festival and again a very successful day which fortunately turned out to be bright and sunny.
We parked in the coach park and ambled down into the town where, yet again, there were stalls and live music going on along the promenade together with several troupes of Morris men (or are they now Morris people)? Apparently hankies, along with bells and sticks, add visual interest and dynamism to the dance movements although some theories suggest that their use might have had ritualistic origins, possibly connected to fertility rites. The stalls were similar to previous years, selling clothes, jewellery, pebble pictures and doing hair-braiding.
At the end of the promenade, a huge marquee had been erected and the Sidmouth Town Brass Band was giving an excellent performance.
Different acts were scheduled throughout the day but we succumbed to the allure of the best fish and chips you could possibly want from a small caravan just outside the marquee. The whole town was busy with some form of entertainment going on in every pub where a roaring trade was in full swing.
The reason we chose to go on the Saturday this year was because there was going to be a parade from the Connaught Gardens down the hill and all along the promenade. Crowds assembled on both sides of the road which had been closed and all the Morris men, dancers and bands made a really colourful sight as they headed into town. We wandered up to the Connaught Gardens, but were surprised that there were no events taking place there this year (we later learned they were getting ready for a jazz event the following day) so we just admired the gardens and had a pit stop for refreshments and a look over the Jacob’s Ladder Beach where there had been a rock fall whilst we were there! Phil had been sitting on the beach with an ice cream when someone called out “rock fall” and he managed to get a photo of the clouds of dust that followed.
Here are a few photos taken on our trip to Sidmouth:
June 2025
Royal Cornwall Show
The Royal Cornwall Show is an annual three day event held at the Wadebridge showground, set in 95 acres and attracts 120,000 visitors. The map of the show numbers over 800 exhibitions, trade stands and sections plus the show rings. Huge crowds gathered to watch the comprehensive programme of the judging events of cattle, sheep, goats and horses. Ring events also included falconry, police dogs in action, carriage driving, duck and dog shows, motor cycling displays and so much more.
The atmosphere in the showground was busy and relaxed. Adults and children enjoying the many stands and entertainment – Titan the Robot, Punch and Judy, folk bands, drummers and dancers. There were shopping and food outlets and displays to suit all tastes. The three massive food and farming marquees showcased and sold food and drinks from a vast range of local suppliers. The farm and country zone displayed impressive modern farming equipment, machinery and vehicles.
It would be a challenge and almost impossible to view everything at the RCS in one day. The RCS offers the farming community the opportunity to present Cornwall’s agricultural and farming lifestyle and traditions, combined with a wide range of entertainment, displays and events. There is so much of interest to attract visitors of all ages. By the time we arrived back at the coach, we were tired. Lots of walking, but we all agreed it had been a most enjoyable day.
April 2025
Babbacombe Model Village, Torquay
Plant Word Gardens and Nursery, Newton Abbot
In the morning, we visited the model village which is set in a beautiful valley within four acres of landscaped gardens. They are maintained in immaculate condition by a team of gardeners. There are more than 400 models depicting eras ranging from medieval, Shakespearean, Victorian and modern times, towns, villages, building sites and stately homes and so much more. All set against a beautiful backdrop of trees, waterfalls and gentle sloping paths to view the displays.
The attention to detail is so professional. Each model is meticulously researched and brought to life. Humour and a play on words also played a part in signage and descriptions with memories recalled of childhood places visited and the variety of changes throughout the centuries. A wonderful experience.
In the afternoon, we moved on to Plant World Gardens and Nursery. The gardens include many rare and exotic plants and sell over 3,000 varieties of flower and vegetable seeds.
The first ever ‘map of the world garden’ was designed in 1986. It represents the five continents in the world and their native trees and plants with views of the surrounding area. Highly recommended for keen gardeners.
The Hilltop Café with panoramic views served light lunches and delicious cream teas, plants and seeds were available to purchase.
The two venues combined to make a very interesting and enjoyable day. The weather was sunny, blue skies….perfect!
Here are some photographs of other recent away days.
