Farm café & restaurant
Organic growing
From the land to the table
Village Farm • East Portlemouth • Salcombe
“Celebration of our countryside & rural life”
16 – 19 July 2026
Festival Day: Saturday 18th July • Four Evening Events: Thu 16, Fri 17, Sat 18 & Sun 19 July
Tickets are available on this site or from Village Farm Cafe • 01548 843532
Four evening events plus a full Festival Day — poems, songs, stories, workshops, food and music deep in the Devon countryside.
Village Farm • East Portlemouth • Salcombe • Devon
Join us for a feast of natural, organic and local ingredients prepared by the skilled team at Village Farm. The evening's entertainment will be provided by Lisa Schneidau, a storyteller who has a love of nature and the land.
Book NowFriday night's music is all about presenting four Devon acts and their songs about Devon's landscapes, themes and life.
The headliner will be Saltstone, who will be performing the 2011 album 'From the Saltstone', which discusses the rich topics thrown up from living and growing up either side of the Kingsbridge Estuary.
The mercurial Sammie Avis will be putting her special twist on hit songs by Devon artists, and MC'ing the night.
King Pip, the good fun melodic rock band from near the Teign will be joining us.
Our opening act will be talented local singer songwriter, Milo Griffiths.
Food - A BBQ and a bar will be available.
Book NowPatrick Laurie is a celebrated author and freelance journalist. As well as writing and farming, he works for Soil Association Scotland on a program which supports conservation projects on farmland.
Shortlisted for The Wainwright Prize for UK Nature Writing 2020 and Times Bestseller. Native is poignant and moving book which weaves together folklore and science, tradition and progress to examine how we take what has passed and transform it for the future.
The links between people, cattle and wild birds become a central theme as Patrick begins to face the reality of life in a vanishing landscape. 'In this tender, lyrical book, Patrick Laurie considers what it means to really belong to a place.
Book NowAcclaimed historian Ian Mortimer will walk us through the world of Elizabethan England, via the medium of the time traveller, based on his excellent book, The Time Traveller's Guide: to Elizabethan England.
Dr Ian Mortimer FSA, FRHistS is a British historian and writer of historical fiction. He has been described by The Times newspaper as 'the most remarkable medieval historian of our time'. He is best known as the author of The Time Traveller's Guides: to Medieval England (2008) which became a Sunday Times bestseller in paperback in 2010; to Elizabethan England (2012); to Restoration Britain (2017); and to Regency Britain (2020). He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, and has published research in academic journals touching on every century from the twelfth to the twentieth.
Book NowNicola will talk about her book, Ghosts of the Farm, the true and haunting story of two wannabe farming women, 60-80 years apart, in the same village. Nicola rediscovers a farm diary from an incredible woman and her friends, farming in their own right in the 1940s and 50s. She compares it to her own experiences trying to farm, from the 1980s to the present and asks, what if the farmgate hadn't been shut on women after the Second World War? Expect community, cowgirls, humour among the hard work, horses, the northern lights, and life on the Homefront.
Book NowOur heritage, nature and good food all is rooted in the land: how can we inspire its recognition, reverence and guardianship?
The panel will discuss a key topic relating to the land and how it is viewed in the wider public perception. Your questions will be welcomed.
Book NowThe Bear's Den Dance Band will be performing traditional dance tunes, with a caller, to help end the day on an energetic high!
Food - A one pot supper and bar will be available
Book NowSet in Devon, a letter from Tzar Nicholas recounts the Bloody Sunday Massacre of 1905 and becomes the catalyst for an English woman's courageous rebellion against her oppressive husband.
Food - Devon pasties and scones.
Book NowHands-on activities for families, adults and children — making, tracking, foraging, growing and more. Book ahead or turn up on the day.
Village Farm Café & Artisan Centre
Nature-inspired making activities for children and families throughout the day. Drop in or book ahead — see naturemake.co.uk for prices and details.
Meet at the Hope House Marquee
Learn the ancient skill of finding wild edible plants around the abundant hedgerows and meadows of Village Farm. Collect ingredients for salad and wild teas to taste. Find out about the amazing variety of wild edible plants to be found in South Devon in summer.
The Oak House
A relaxed two-hour workshop from garden to arrangement — how to grow and dry flowers, practical tips for preserving colour and shape at home, and creating your own take-home dried flower bouquet. All materials provided, no experience needed.
Hope House Marquee
Traditional tales inspired by our connection to the land — spirits of place and our relationship with the magical landscape. Three children’s sessions and one adult session throughout the day.
Meet at the Hope House Marquee
Learn to read the signs animals leave behind — footprints, trails, feeding signs and more. Paul has 20+ years of outdoor education experience.
Meet at the Hope House Marquee
Learn traditional fire-lighting techniques using natural materials. A fundamental wilderness skill taught in Paul’s engaging, hands-on style.
Meet at the Hope House Marquee
Discover how to make strong, usable rope from natural plant fibres — one of the oldest and most practical of wilderness crafts.
Hope House Marquee
An interactive art performance where Frances invites you to erase her detailed drawing of a bee, raising awareness of endangered species and biodiversity loss. At 13:45 an introduction by Sam Durham, Chief Land Management Advisor, NFU.
Meet at the Hope House Marquee
Identify, taste and learn how to cook and preserve the abundance of fields and hedgerows. Wild food samples, wild teas and a seasonal wild food snack to enjoy along the way.
Tom O’Connor — Green Man Growing
Green Man Growing Site
A market garden tour and workshop demonstrating the work of a grower from seed to harvest. Advice on sowing, crop rotations, plant care and regenerative farming. Tickets on the day.
Village Farm Café & Artisan Centre
Discover how to create a beautiful ‘pebble’ paperweight from locally sourced raw sheep wool through the ancient craft of wet felting. All materials provided. Suitable for beginners. Not suitable for pregnant women.
Susie Wren & Michelle Werrett
Meet at Village Farm Café
A guided tour through the fields and lanes of Village Farm, set in and around the picturesque village of East Portlemouth with sea and moor views overlooking Salcombe. Tickets on the day.
Village Farm Café & Artisan Centre
A demonstration of the ancient art of fly tying — the craft of creating fishing flies by hand.
Meet at the top of Mill Bay Beach
Discover nature’s tastiest and most nutritious wild foods on a stroll along a fabulous estuary beach. Identify and sustainably harvest edible seaweeds and delicious estuary plants, then taste them as they’re cooked on the beach. Parking at Mill Bay (free to National Trust members) or 15-min walk from Village Farm.
Other events happening in East Portlemouth on 18 July — well worth combining with a visit to the festival.
East Portlemouth Church
Poets, authors, storytellers, naturalists and craftspeople — united by a love of the land.
Celebrated author and Soil Association Scotland freelance journalist. His book Native: Life in a Vanishing Landscape was shortlisted for The Wainwright Prize 2020 and became a Times Bestseller.
gallowayfarm.blog →
Author of Ghosts of the Farm — the true and haunting story of two women farming in the same village, sixty years apart. Expect community, cowgirls, humour and life on the homefront.
nicolachester.com →
FSA, FRHistS — described by The Times as 'the most remarkable medieval historian of our time'. Best known for his acclaimed Time Traveller's Guide series, Sunday Times bestsellers.
ianmortimer.com →
Henry tells traditional tales in the oral storytelling tradition — stories inspired by our connection to the land, of spirits of place and our relationship with the magical landscape. Author of Pixie Folk Tales.
henryeverett.com →
A storyteller with a deep love of nature and the land. Lisa brings the natural world to life through story, leading the Thursday Feast Night with tales from the wild landscape.
lisaschneidau.co.uk →
Founder of Survive & Revive, with 20+ years of outdoor education experience. Paul leads workshops in animal tracking, firecraft and natural cordage, and believes strongly in the cathartic power of nature for wellbeing.
surviveandrevive.org →
Firmly rooted in the rolling farmlands of South Devon, Cathryn finds joy growing and working with flowers. Her workshops offer space to play with beautiful blooms, acquire practical floristry skills and engage your inner creative.
cathryngrace.com →
Frances works with drawing and printmaking — meticulous, detailed work between scientific illustration and surrealism. Her Public Erasure performance invites the public to erase drawings of endangered species, raising awareness of the biodiversity crisis.
francesgynn.co.uk →
Founder of Green Man Growing, embracing agroecology and regenerative farming to produce and sell good food locally. Supplies Village Farm café and farm shop, and runs a fresh veg box scheme for the Kingsbridge area.
greenmangrowing.org →
Naomi runs NatureMake, offering creative nature-inspired making workshops for children and families. Available all day on Festival Saturday with a range of activities — drop in or book ahead.
naturemake.co.uk →
Moira runs Intune Holistic Therapies and teaches the ancient craft of wet felting. In her Sunday workshop, create a beautiful 'pebble' paperweight from locally sourced raw sheep wool. Beginners welcome.
intuneholistictherapies.co.uk →
Trudy and Freya Turrell are expert foragers leading walks to discover the wild edible plants, seaweeds and plants of South Devon. Three walks on offer across the festival weekend — from farm hedgerows to the seashore at Mill Bay.
trudyturrellforager.com →
Author of Song of the Streams, exploring Exmoor's rivers and comparing fishing a century ago with today. Michelle also guides farm walks and demonstrates the ancient craft of fly tying.
michellewerrettruralwriting →
Village Farm — the farm, the café team, feast night & the festival
Join us to journey through our heritage, the land and those who have lived, loved, passed this way before us. Celebrated through poems, songs, stories and music. Be part of the living and evolving heart of this festival.
Festival events will include; talks by well-known Authors, panel session, children and adult nature and bush craft workshops, demonstrations, farm walks, Cèilid dance with hot-pot supper, Film night with Devon bakes, Storytelling and feast, barbeque and Devon music bands.
Village farm is an organic livestock farm surrounded by Salcombe estuary and the sea, adjacent to the SW coastal path, with café, restaurant, farm shop, and a range of resident artisans. We have plenty of hardcore parking. The event will be held in a field marquee, the artisan centre and around the farm.
‘Conservation, country lore, heritage, sustainable farming and keeping traditions alive!
The romance of stories, poems, song and drama can lead us through our deeper memories to a familiar place of connection. Understanding of the processes that brings food to our tables can lead us to a greater reverence for the food and materials we use each day. They can become an integral part of our identity; we treasure them and will fight to preserve them. It is this passion, this identity and joy that we seek to stimulate through this festival. An event which we intend to see develop into an annual celebration here on Village farm, this year and into the future.
For the Love of the Land is a new culture and literary festival, taking place in East Portlemouth between the 16th and 19th July 2026.
There will be a programme of literary events, local music, a ceilidh evening, a feast night, a film night, making workshops, farm walks and bush craft events.
Please check the programme page for more details.
Village Farm Cafe and Artisan Centre will host workshops, the Thursday feast night and Sunday film.
Village Farm will be the venue for the farm walk, and bush craft workshops.
Sturley Hill Marquee will host the music events and Saturday's literary programme.
Yes. The festival does not affect normal working operation or hours.
Yes, many of our workshops are tailored for children, and we do sincerely hope that people of all ages can enjoy the festival.
All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Whilst dogs are welcome at the Village Farm Cafe, only trained assistance / guide dogs will be allowed into festival events or workshops.
Whilst the Marquee is located in a field, it can be accessed by car to facilitate wheelchair access. The marquee floor is coir matting.
Village Farm Cafe's ground floor is accessible and has an accessible toilet.
Should you have any accessibility needs relating to your visit please let us know at the time of booking, either via email or the 'notes' section when booking online.
If you notify us in advance our stewards will be expecting you, and we can help you to enjoy your visit.
Most of the festival's events are in covered spaces like barns or marquees, and events will occur in rain or shine.
Farm walks will take place if there is rain - please bring suitable clothing.
Yes, we will have food available at each evening event, as well as a bar.
During the day Village Farm Cafe will be open for food and drink.
Public transport options are limited, and the village does not have a bus servicing it.
However, Salcombe has bus links from Kingsbridge and Totnes railway station.
https://www.tallyhoholidays.co.uk/timetable-primrose-link
The ferry from East Portlemouth to Salcombe runs continuously in the summer, between 8:30 and 18:30. But please check before planning a journey.
https://salcombeinformation.co.uk/advertiser/salcombe-ferry-3/
For those driving, head to Village Farm Cafe (TQ8 8PE) and follow parking signs from there.
The festival does not have any camping or accommodation.
However, there are plenty of options for staying nearby.
These include:
Yes!
Tickets can be bought at the café, over the phone or on the door. To book over the phone, please phone 01548 843532.
Village Farm is tucked between the Salcombe estuary and the sea on the South Devon coast.
Tel: 07449 776198
The farm has a café, restaurant, farm shop and resident artisans. Plenty of hardcore parking is available on site — just follow the signs.