Events

On Tuesday 4th April 2023 at 2:30pm, our resident archaeologist, Abigail Gray, will lead a guided tour of Shilstone House and gardens. Guests will explore the history of the site through its surviving archaeology and rare architectural features before seeing the...

Wild Days & Medieval Knights: a History of Haccombe. An illustrated talk by Andrew Cooper on Thursday, 6th April, 2023 at 7pm in The Devon Rural Archive. Haccombe has witnessed some of Britain’s most dramatic history making for an epic tale from prehistory to the...

Picture Scanning Day at the DRA. Thursday 20th April 2023, 11am - 3pm  We would love to add your images of rural Devon, whether historic or modern, to our collection and preserve the scenes for future generations to study and enjoy. On Thursday 20th April the DRA team...

Sidmouth's Royal Connections. An illustrated talk by Dr. Nigel Hyman on Thursday, 4th May, 2023 at 7pm in The Devon Rural Archive. In the winter of 1819-20 the Duke and Duchess of Kent along with their infant daughter, the future Queen Victoria, stayed at Woolbrook...

On Tuesday 9th May 2023 at 2:30pm, our resident archaeologist, Abigail Gray, will lead a guided tour of Shilstone House and gardens. Guests will explore the history of the site through its surviving archaeology and rare architectural features before seeing the results...

An opportunity to explore the historic landscape at Shilstone with our resident archaeologist, Abigail Gray, on Monday 22nd May 2023 at 2:30pm. Shilstone House occupies a truly exceptional site, at the head of a steep sided valley containing evidence of occupation...

When the Judge shot the Doctor: Devon's Last Duel.  An illustrated talk by Prof. David Pugsley on Thursday, 1st June, 2023 at 7pm in The Devon Rural Archive. Sir John Jeffcott, Chief Justice and Judge of the Vice Admiralty Court of Sierra Leone, fatally shot the...

 On Tuesday 13th June 2023 at 2:30pm, our resident archaeologist, Abigail Gray, will lead a guided tour of Shilstone House and gardens. Guests will explore the history of the site through its surviving archaeology and rare architectural features before seeing the...

Dartmoor's Ancient Tracks.  An illustrated talk by Emma Cunis on Thursday, 6th July, 2023 at 7pm in The Devon Rural Archive. Eric Hemery, Dartmoor’s leading writer, once professed “the ancient tracks serve Dartmoor as do the blood-vessels the body - arteries...

A Short History of Salcombe.  An illustrated talk by Roger Barrett on Thursday, 3rd August, 2023 at 7pm in The Devon Rural Archive. The small harbour town of Salcombe near Devon’s southernmost point has always earned its living from the sea. Now a thriving yachting...