Brixham Pirate Festival: what to expect

Brixham’s annual Pirate Festival is the bay’s biggest free outdoor event – typically the May bank holiday weekend, three days, around 15,000 visitors. Yes it’s touristy. Yes it’s genuinely fun.

What happens: the whole harbour turns into a 17th-century theme park. Re-enactment groups in full costume, mock battles on the quayside, a children’s parade, live music on three stages, a Saturday-night firework display fired from the breakwater.

Where to be: arrive by 11am Saturday to find parking – the harbour fills by lunchtime. The fish market becomes a craft market for the weekend. The Golden Hind plays its part with deck tours and rope-trick demonstrations.

What to eat: the festival food stalls are good but the regular pubs do bumper trade and queue. Book the Maritime Inn for Saturday evening if you want a sit-down meal.

For families: the parade Saturday lunchtime is the must-see. Dress your kids up (eyepatches and stripes work) and you’ll be in. Free face-painting station at the Quay end.