Things to Do in the South West This Summer (2025 Guide)

Summer’s here… well, almost! With longer days and the school holidays fast approaching, there’s no better time to plan a few adventures in the South West.

Whether you're keeping the kids entertained during half-term, organising a weekend with friends, or just looking to make the most of the sunshine, there’s loads to see, do and eat.

From family-friendly events and vegan food fairs to coastal walks and cultural hotspots, we’ve pulled together a list of brilliant ways to spend your summer days.

🎪 Festivals and family-friendly events

Visit a Vegan Fair near you

Our summer events are a great excuse to get out and explore your local area. All our fairs are free to attend, dog-friendly and have plenty on offer for little ones. Think tasty street food, crafts, kids' activities, plus a warm and welcoming community feel. You don’t have to be vegan to come along either, everyone is welcome – and we can promise a great day out.

Here’s what we’ve got coming up:

So, why not come along to one of our upcoming events, try something new and support your local businesses?

Other festivals worth checking out this summer:

  • Vegan Camp Out – The UK’s biggest vegan feestival

  • Vegan Kids Festival – A family-friendly weekend with workshops, activities, and talks

  • VegOut West – Community-focused vegan fun in the South West

  • Freedom Fields Festival – A grassroots event with great vegan options

  • Shambala – A fully vegetarian festival that champions sustainability

  • Burn It Down Festival – A fully vegan punk and alt music fest in Devon

  • Bristol International Balloon Fiesta – Europe’s largest hot air balloon event

  • Sidmouth Folk Festival, The Great Estate Festival, Glastonbury – if you fancy a bit of live music and festival fun

🎭 Explore local sights and cultural gems

Planning to visit one of our events? Turn it into a full day trip with these nearby attractions:

  • Cheltenham Vegan Market – Explore Sudeley Castle, a Tudor castle with stunning gardens

  • Devizes Vegan Market – Head to the Wiltshire Museum, home to fascinating Stonehenge-era artefacts

  • Carmarthen Vegan Market – Wander through the National Botanic Garden of Wales

  • Exeter Vegan Market – Hike up to Canonteign Falls, one of England’s highest waterfalls

  • Chepstow Vegan Market – Step back in time at Chepstow Castle, perched on the River Wye

If you’re visiting the region for the first time, some of the below attractions are also well worth the trip.

  • Bath – Take a dip into history at the Roman Baths, visit the Abbey, or wander through stunning Georgian streets

  • Bristol – Check out Brunel’s SS Great Britain, the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge and the city’s famous street art

  • Stonehenge & Avebury – Step into the prehistoric past with a visit to these incredible stone circles

  • Salisbury – See the Cathedral and one of the oldest copies of the Magna Carta

  • Minack Theatre – Watch a live performance on a clifftop overlooking the sea in Cornwall

  • The Eden Project – Walk through the world’s largest indoor rainforest and explore inspiring environmental exhibits

☀️ Get outside: beaches and nature spots

Fancy a breath of fresh air? The South West is home to some of the UK’s most beautiful beaches and natural landscapes:

Can you believe we have beaches like this in the UK?

  • Cornwall & Devon beaches – Pack a towel, your suncream and head for the coast

  • Dartmoor National Park – Great for hikes, wild ponies and picnic spots

  • The New Forest – Explore ancient woodland and spot wild deer

  • Cheddar Gorge – Hike the dramatic clifftops and explore underground caves

  • Kents Cavern – Visit Britain’s oldest known prehistoric home

  • Isles of Scilly – Ideal for island-hopping and boat trips

  • The New Forest – Pack your blanket and head to Rockford Sandpit, a beautiful natural spot tucked into the forest

    And while you're there, why not pack a fully vegan picnic? Stock up at one of our markets and fill your basket with:

    • Scotch Eggs from Soy Ahoy

    • Olives from MKS Food Distribution

    • Artisan Cheese from Sophie’s Delight

    • Fresh-baked Cookies from RebelRox Kitchen

🌱 Eat well: vegan-friendly cafes and restaurants

Of course, no day out is complete without great food. Luckily, the South West is full of brilliant vegan cafés and restaurants.

Here are a few of our top picks:

  • Plant.Eat.Licious in Bath - they’re one of our old traders, and we're so proud of them!

  • Koocha Mezze Bar in Bristol

  • Cafe Thrive - Southampton

  • The Little Gem in Royal Wootton Bassett

  • Lemon + Jinga in Romsey - we run a monthly vegan parent meet up here, so why not come along?

  • The Veeg Shack in Swindon

  • Karibu in Stroud - another old trader who’s taken the leap and opened a fully vegan restaurant!

  • How on Earth Deli - Exeter - why not pop in after a trip to Exeter Vegan Market?

  • Zappa's in Totnes - the perfect pit stop after a stroll around Totnes Vegan Market.

  • Tam's Kitchen in Paignton - you’ll also find them at some of our events.

  • The Queens Inn in Wales – the world's first plant-based steakhouse.

See our full list of the best favourite vegan restaurants in the South West for more. You can also chat to our traders at our events, they’ve always got great recommendations!

Plan your summer with Vegan Fairs

Whether you're after tasty food, a day out with the kids, or an excuse to explore a new town, there's plenty to get excited about this summer. Browse our full list of upcoming events and we’ll see you there. 😎

Siobhan Keeley