OUR FAMILY
So, who's coming to DevonDays 2026?
Chefs.
Kitchen Garden Somerset – The Kitchen Garden Somerset is a celebration of seasonality, provenance and craft, led by Miranda Shearer and Carol Alba, whose cooking draws on a lifetime of experience and a shared commitment championing the very best local ingredients.
The Wild Pear – Led by Georgie Everett, The Wild Pear is known for elegant, seasonal menus that seek out the very best local produce. Thoughtful, generous and quietly refined, Georgie’s cooking brings the feel of a restaurant into the warmth of shared, relaxed spaces.
Louise Lyons MacLeod – Louise Lyons MacLeod is a chef, farmer and 2024 MasterChef UK finalist, cooking from her Exmoor farm with a deep connection to the land. Louise’s menus are guided by seasonality, rare breed produce and a passion for British ingredients, creating food that is both thoughtful and rooted in place.
Artists.
fieldlily – A sister duo, bringing soulful harmonies and stripped-back acoustic performances to DevonDays. Inspired by the countryside and the stories woven through everyday life, their music creates a warm and intimate atmosphere, the perfect soundtrack to slow evenings.
Andy Doran – Andy Doran is a South West acoustic musician known for his warm, laid-back sound and effortless storytelling through music. Blending timeless classics with a relaxed countryside feel, Andy’s live sessions bring the perfect atmosphere to long-table suppers, golden-hour drinks and fire-lit evenings at DevonDays.
Sam Dowden – Sam is a Devon-based musician known for his soulful live performances, looped instrumentals and distinctive take on classic and contemporary songs. Blending rhythm, atmosphere and effortless crowd connection.
BOWREED – Bringing energy, rhythm and a brilliant sense of celebration to DevonDays, BOWREED are a folk-inspired group known for their uplifting live performances and rich acoustic sound. Blending tradition with a fresh and vibrant atmosphere, they create the kind of music that draws people together beneath open skies and onto the dance floor.
Natasha Vann-Marle – Known best for her energy and incredible voice, Natasha brings the country vibes to every event. From classics to upbeat modern music, she’ll have you singing along and tapping your feet before you know it!
Devon DJ – Global award winning DJ, Paul Radmore, is closing our festival on Saturday 1st August, with summer sunset vibes. Expect incredible music, festival tunes, and beats that’ll make even the sheep get up and dance!
WellBeing.
Jo Ellis – Pure Yoga Somerset is founded by Jo Ellis, an internationally experienced yoga teacher whose intuitive, student-led approach is shaped by a lifetime of practice. Her work creates calm, beautifully considered spaces that reconnect body, mind and creative energy.
Abi Beckingham – Abigail Beckingham creates immersive wellbeing and movement experiences that deepen connection, between people, place and self. Her work blends intuitive movement, breath and awareness to create moments that feel both grounding and quietly transformative.
Creative Minds.
Wendy Symes – ‘Flowers by Wendy’ creates natural, abundant floral arrangements inspired by the seasons and the surrounding countryside. Working with locally grown blooms, Wendy brings a relaxed, intuitive approach to floristry. At DevonDays, Wendy will be hosting a live demonstration, creating large-scale arrangements alongside a local grower.
Francesca Mack Smith
Story Tellers.
Susan George – Subject to availability, actor, conservationist and Exmoor farmer Susan George joins us, whose life and work have long been connected to the British countryside. With a career spanning film, television and charitable work, Susan brings a thoughtful and deeply personal perspective on rural life, storytelling and the changing landscape of the South West to DevonDays.
Simon Williams – Simon Williams is a local beekeeper with years of hands-on experience working with bees and the land around them. Now based at Holwell, his hives play a vital role in the life of the farm. At DevonDays, Simon will share his knowledge of beekeeping, pollination and the quiet importance of bees within our landscape.
Exmoor Game School – Founded by Darren Sherwood, The Exmoor Game School reconnects people with the origins of their food through hands-on, field-to-fork experiences. At DevonDays, Darren will lead The Origins of Our Food, an honest and informative butchery session exploring sustainability, seasonality and how we can better use what the land provides.
FWAG – FWAG South West (Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group) is a conservation charity supporting farmers to balance productive land with thriving wildlife. Having worked closely with Holwell over the years, their guidance has helped shape planting, improve biodiversity and allow nature to flourish. At DevonDays, they will host a relaxed panel discussion exploring how farming and wildlife can work hand in hand.
Hanby Horticultural – Led by Aiden Hanby, Aiden creates thoughtful, wildlife-friendly landscapes that blend beauty with the natural environment. With a deep understanding of planting, design and land management, Aiden has been instrumental in shaping the wildflower meadows at Holwell, helping the land evolve into a space that feels both natural and intentional.
Dr Karen Stead-Dexter – Dr Karen Stead-Dexter is a specialist in animal and nature-assisted wellbeing, blending science, lived experience and a deep understanding of the natural world. Her work invites a profound connection with nature, creating experiences that are both grounding and transformative
Who are we supporting through DevonDays?
Choosing a charity is never simple. There are so many meaningful causes doing important work. Over the years, time spent at Holwell has brought a real sense of joy, calm and connection to nature, and it felt only right to support a charity that offers that same experience for others.
Founded in 2022 by Dr Karen Stead-Dexter, the Centre for Animal and Nature Assisted Therapy (CANAT) is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting mental health and wellbeing through connection with animals and the natural world. Karen’s work focuses on making this type of therapy more accessible, offering support to individuals and organisations who can benefit from its restorative impact.
(CANAT), ‘Connecting People, Animals & Nature for Better Mental Health’, embodies a belief that sits closely with everything we value at Holwell. We’re so delighted to welcome Dr Karen to DevonDays Festival, and support her through the important work she does.
