Situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on East Devon’s World Heritage Site, the Jurassic Coast, Budleigh Salterton hosts the most outstanding literary festival in South West England. As a registered charity, our mission is to celebrate books and their authors and promote the art of writing and the enjoyment of reading in our East Devon community and in our local schools. Wholeheartedly supported by the local community, who embrace the variety of events and workshops, this is a literary festival which offers delights few other festivals can match.

Why is a small seaside town in Devon home to a great music festival? The vision for the Festival came from Budleigh residents Roger and Brenda Bowen, whose inspiration to create Festivals in Budleigh Salterton caught the imagination of local people. In 2005 the Budleigh Salterton Festival of the Arts was launched. The title reflected their aim to include a variety of art forms – from art exhibitions to jazz concerts, drama, but especially classical music. Roger and Brenda’s achievement in establishing the Festival is significant as it took great energy, strength of character and foresight to set up such an operation on sound foundations.

A full production of William Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet - peforming the original text, in a new re-imagined setting, bringing to life one of Shakespeare's most famous tragic plays, with beautifully rehearsed drama, dance, and action. This show is suitable for all ages age 12 and upwards ( We have this reccomended age limit due to violent scenes and gang depictions)

1920s MURDER MYSTERY DINNER AND SHOW As part of Gala Week 2025, join us for a fabulous pre dinner cocktail and 2 course meal whilst you sleuth your way through an unfolding murder investigation. Fancy dress strongly encouraged and we will be seeking some audience members to participate! Fully stocked bar. Grand raffle. Door open at 18:45. Show starts promptly at 19:30. ADVANCE BOOKING ESSENTIAL MENU Aperitif 1920's inspired cocktail (non-alcoholic option will be available) Main course Hearty chicken casserole, with root vegetables & parsley butter potatoes ( gf, chicken on the bone, contains onion, celery ) or Vegetarian Peppers stuffed with mushroom rice topped with cheese ( gf ) Dessert Individual Raspberry sherry trifles with toasted flaked almonds (contains nuts )

William Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet Being performed on Saturday July 19th, at 7.30pm Performed as part of a national tour (& global streaming) of this classical Shakespeare drama, by a professional touring theatre company from Devon, which has previously won national and international awards for their Shakespearean productions. Caught between violently feuding families, two young lovers seek to marry, with tragic consequences, but leading to the end of the feud. This is a production performing the original text, in a re-imagined gangland setting, in a stylish, brutal and powerfully performed adaptation, with a diverse, intergenerational cast working as a close, collaborative team. This performance is part of a national tour and international streaming programme, involving public performances, full performances in schools, plus educational and literary talks & workshops for a variety of colleges, libraries and community groups, and a package of online content for students. Content advisories: Suitable for audiences age 12+. Younger audience members are welcome but please be aware of the content. Please be aware that this production contains violent scenes, narcotic references & depiction of suicide. If you have any questions about any aspect of our production, please contact us on [email protected] at any time.

Guys And Dolls A Musical Fable of Broadway Based on a Story and Characters of Damon Runyon Music and Lyrics by Book by FRANK LOESSER JO SWERLING and ABE BURROWS This amateur production is presented by arrangement with Musical Theatre International All authorised performance materials are supplied by MTI www.mtishows.co.uk Guys and Dolls has everything you could want in a musical: thrilling and melodious songs, hilarious dialogue, dancing showgirls, memorable characters and a lot of heart, all brought together to create the magical world of Broadway in the 1950s. The score includes Sit Down, Youre Rockin the Boat, LuckBe a Lady, Ive Never Been In Love Before and, of course, Guys and Dolls. We have been bringing shows to Budleigh since 1968, and can promise that our company's mixture of familiar faces, some old pros, some budding new performers as well as a top notch live band - will bring a smile to your faces.

This year, the Devonshire Association is Celebrating Devons World-Class Heritage in a project supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund which aims to raise awareness of our countys UNESCO designated natural and cultural heritage and the Devonshire Associations role in promoting that heritage over the past 163 years. The significance of the Dorset and East Devon Coast World Heritage Site will be explored in a Discovery Day on Saturday 7th June, in Budleigh Salterton Public Hall in the morning and on Budleigh Salterton beach and at Fairlynch Museum in the afternoon. Car parking is available near the Public Hall, both free and pay and display. Programme: 10.30 Welcome and introduction to the day 10.40 Malcolm Hart, Emeritus Professor of Micropalaeontology, University of Plymouth: Palaeontology and palaeontologists of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site 11.20 Coffee/tea/biscuits 11.40 David Knapman, local historian: William Buckland, the right man at the right time: how a local Devon boy, and first Oxford Professor of Geology, contributed to our enduring understanding of the Jurassic Coast and what it tells us about our world The Public Hall will remain open until 2pm when we depart for Steamer Steps and the beach, a seven-minute walk through the town. Lunch - attendees to make own arrangements. 14.00 Depart Budleigh Salterton Public Hall on foot for Steamer Steps. The significance of the geology of the Triassic cliffs will be explained on the cliff top and during a gentle walk along the beach to the west for about 250m. We will not be going close to the cliffs because of the danger of rock falls.