Drawn to the Valley’s annual Open Studios is a wonderful opportunity to visit artists and makers in their own studios or other special venues over a period of nine days.

Right across the Tamar Valley in Devon and Cornwall more than 60 artists will welcome visitors, providing unique opportunities to watch them at work, to learn about their techniques and their inspirations, to see their creations, and sometimes even to have a go themselves.

Many artists will be in their own studios, some of them in breathtaking locations, others joining forces with friends, and some will be in joint venues which this year, for the first time, includes the National Trust property Cotehele where six artists will be using two rooms within the house to show and demonstrate their work.

The range of work is wide, including those working in wood, ceramics, fabrics and all the many painting and drawing media. Open Studios runs from Saturday 26th August to Sunday 3rd September.

A beautiful brochure features all the artists alongside details of the venues and maps to make it easy to find any of the studios. The brochure is available in libraries, galleries and many other locations, as well as online here

The South Devon Railway’s annual spring Rails & Ales beer festival returns to Staverton station over the August Bank Holiday weekend, from Friday 25th to Monday 28th August.

Steam and diesel trains are running throughout every day and into the evenings from Buckfastleigh and Totnes Riverside stations, as there is no car parking at Staverton. The popular festival starts at 11.00am every day, finishing at 9.30pm, and 6.00pm on Monday.

The main bar, which is located in the former goods shed on the station, will be serving a thirst-quenching selection of over 40 real ales. A selection of ciders, eight craft beers, gin, wine, Pimm’s and prosecco as well as hot and cold food will also be on offer each day.

There is extra fun in the evenings, with live music from the Traps on Friday evening, rock ‘n’ rollers Strydes on Saturday and a traditional pub quiz on Sunday evening.

Free parking is available at Buckfastleigh station. If you are travelling by train, the South Devon Railway’s station at Totnes is a 450m walk from Totnes main line station. There is no parking at Staverton.

Entry to the festival is by train ticket only.