Our events archive - return to current events listing 
FREE EVENT 
Bat Detecting Evening 
Thurs 12th Sept 2019 
6.30-8.30pm 
“Join this fun event at Avon Mill Garden Centre for a talk about bats, followed by a simple soup/bread supper and finally bat detecting in the surrounding fields.” 
 
To book your place please email 
 
bats@devonwildlifetrust.org 
Theatre @ avon Mill........ 
Fashion Show 
Wednesday 12th September 
6pm - 8pm 
@ the Garden Centre 
 
In aid of Kingsbridge and Saltstone Caring 
 
Featuring Threads Boutique 
Tickets £10 - includes first glass of Prosecco & light bites!. 
'Old Herbaceous' 
Theatre @ Avon Mill 
Friday 10th & saturday 11th August 2018 
7.30pm 
Tickets £14 available from the Garden centre 
 
The humorous love story of a single-minded yet gentle man with a passion for plants, Old Herbaceous is a charming one man show which has entranced audiences around the country. 
 
An acute and sometimes hilarious observation of relationships between the classes in a simpler age, 
 
As Old Herbaceous, Giles Shenton truly lives the part, inviting you to feel included in a private chat from a bygone, comforting age. Keeping you engrossed, amused and emotionally engaged from start to finish. 
Apple Pressing Day at Avon Mill 
Sat 8th October 2016 
 
'Bring a bag of apples and containers, help press them in the beautiful oak press then take home your fresh apple juice' 
Avon Valley Hibernation Hike 
Sun 17th April 10am - noon 
South Devon AONB & the Devon Greater Horseshoe Bat Project 
Arts Trail 
17th -25th October 
 
Avon Mill was host to 3 groups of artist, during the 'South Hams Arts Forum' Arts trail. We had fabulous art in the mill building, our glasshouse and in the Gallery Project....... 
Art under Glass 
17th October to 1st November 2015 
 
Now an annual event at avon Mill. 
7 local artists show their work in our glasshouse.  
Apple Pressing weekend 
10th & 11th October 
Bring along your apples, press them and take home delicious freash juice..... 
Oak apple press * Mulled Cider Appley treats in the cafe & Deli  
Art @ Avon Mill 
Pressgang Printmakers 
28th March - 28th May 2015 
 
 
 
 
 
Art @ Avon Mill 
Maggie Rowe 
Exhibition 
27th March - 22nd April 2015 
 
 
 
 
Art @ avon Mill 
 
'Stockpile'  
Recent and retrospective work 
by Nick Bremer 
Marine & landscapes  
in watercolours and oils 
Preview 30th January 2015 
 
Art under glass  
18th October -  
1st November 2014 
Now an annual event - seven different artists display their work in the glasshouse. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Late Summer Collection 
8th august - 31st Oct 2014 
Lisa Class 
Liz Malling 
Fi Wallace- Velarde 
 
 
 
 
Emma Carter 2014 collection. 
7th June - 8th August 
1st Floor gallery 
 
 
 
 
Devon Greater Horseshoe Bat Project 
Discover the Bats in your area - Get involved in our volunteer bat survey! 
 
When: Wednesday 30th July 
Where: Avon Mill Garden Centre, Loddiswell (first floor above the café) 
Time: There are two sessions either 5.30-7pm and 7-8.30pm 
 
Can you help to monitor one of Britain’s rarest bats? 
We’re inviting people who live near important roosting areas to join our bat survey. Come along to our volunteer event and we’ll show you what to do. No experience is required. We will identify suitable locations and show you how to use a bat detector device. Then during the following week you simply need to place the detector box in an arranged location and collect it 5-6 days later. This information will help us find out where bats forage and what their needs are. Data will be analysed at Exeter University and the results sent to you. 
 
Please get in touch if you would like to come to this free event or be added to our mailing list for future events/ information about the project. 
Helen Parr, Community Engagement Officer, Devon Greater Horseshoe Bat Project 
hparr@devonwildlifetrust.org or telephone 01392 279244 
 
Tapas evening 
Friday 25th July  
with sangria and sharing platters!  
Loddiswell to Vietnam 2015 
Raffle tickets on sale in the Cafe 
 
Avon Mill are lending their support to a group of teenagers from Loddiswell and Woodleigh who are following their dream to go on the expedition of a lifetime in Vietnam. 
 
Calling themselves “Loddiswell to Vietnam 2015”, the six friends have planned various fund-raising activities over the coming months. The first one is a Grand Prize Draw, in which the first prize is an iPhone 5s worth £549 and the total value of all of the prizes is over £1,400. Raffle tickets will be on sale in the cafe at Avon Mill. 
 
Photo: Lilly Ross, Josh Cook, Jacob Seldon, Dan Ridgell, Elysia Jones and Rhianna Jones. 
 
 
Seafood Supper 
in the Cafe 
27th June 2014 
 
Art @ Avon Mill 
Graham Fish  
Exhibition 
4th April - 6th June 2014 
 
 
Art at Avon Mill talks - 
Join Graham Fish as he reflects on Painting, surfing and God.... 
 
7th May at 2pm 
first floor of the Cafe. 
All welcome. 
River Avon Discovery Day 
Sat 3rd May anytime between 10am – 4pm 
South Devon AONB 
Have you ever stopped to think what is at the end of your plughole?! Come along to meet and learn more about some of the locals that live at the end of the line - in the River Avon! We’ll have some microscopes set up so that you can get up close to some of the special critters that live in the river and hopefully get out in the water with some nets! Explore some of their clever adaptations to survive their watery world and learn how their presence or absence can tell us so much about the health of the river and our big footprint on it. 
Meet at Avon Mill garden centre, Loddiswell. TQ7 4DD 
Free Garden Design Talk  
by Sam Westcott 
10 ways to dramatically improve your garden 
6th March@ 11am 
1st Floor of the Mill 
Planting & designing with herbaceous perennials 
drop in session with Jo Stopher, landscape designer 
10am-2pm, Saturday 9 June 2012, with Jo Stopher, landscape designer 
 
Discover the flowers and foliage of herbaceous plants - plants for your garden that last year on year. Flowers for almost every month of the year too! Herbaceous plants are not just pretty, but add architectural interest, giving shape and form along with trees and shrubs. 
 
Think every colour of the spectrum, and every shape and every size. Think exotic as well as quintessentially English. Think fragrance as well as texture. Think seasonal blooms and a plant for just about every soil type and aspect. Think plants for the garden, containers and for cutting for the house.And of course, lots of hands on advice and information for selecting, growing, maintaining and propagating your plants. 
 
Jo is here to answer all your questions. Do bring a photo of your plants or garden, if it helps! We'll also have plant displays and, of course, lots of lovely herbaceous plants for you to buy. 
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Creating a coastal garden 
Talk from Jo Stopher, landscape designer & coastal gardens expert 
11am-12 noon, Tuesday 7th August 2012, at the First Floor, above the Cafe 
free entry, but please pre-book, as limited places 
 
If you live close to the coast your garden will be exposed to the full influences of our maritime climate - wind, salt and rain, as well as drying out. And the inevitable coastal loving and plant nibbling bunnies! It also means milder temperatures, which foster earlier leaf and flower, and support tender plants which would not flourish elsewhere. If you are lucky, you might also have a stunning seaview. As ever in life, both good and bad! 
 
Jo will look at the environment and how to make the best of your plot and its aspect, to create a robust and striking coastal garden. Coastal gardens lend themselves to contemporary design, for a more modern edge. And even if your garden is not close to the coast, you can still be inspired to give your garden a beachside makeover... 
 
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Rethinking your garden - design principles 
Talk by Jo Stopher, landscape designer 
11am-12 noon, Tuesday 6 November, at the First Floor, above the Cafe 
free entry, but please pre-book, as limited places 
 
Autumn is a great time to think about your garden and how you would like it to develop. Come along and listen to Jo's practical advice and 'must do' tips to consider, before embarking on your plans. She will cover aspect and soils, as well as structure and form and what you want from your garden, who is going to be using it and, of course, the all important planting. 
 
Formal or informal garden, traditional or contemporary, stylised or naturalised planting, woodland or coastal, cottage or courtyard. Ornamental or productive. Lawns, hedges, walls, water features, pergolas, arches, pathways, summer houses, garden furniture, children's play area, containers, some or all of these might feature in your new look garden. 
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Great food & gorgeous flowers 
Two evening workshop events with Avon Mill's Deli Manager, Sarah Pope, & Emma Vowles, of Emma Vowles Flowers 
 
17 March 2011 Spring flowers & food & 7 April 2011 Easter flowers & food 6-8pm 
 
More creative ideas for gorgeous flowers and delicious canapes for spring time entertaining. You get to taste Sarah's food and take away the recipes to recreate at home. Emma will inspire you with her stylish ways with her fabulous flowers. Treat yourself and bring a friend! 
 
Tickets £17.50 per person, per event, non refundable. 
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A winter's wonderland - Christmas at Avon Mill 2010 
Everything here is looking beautiful and tasting delicious, so come and join us for one of our fabulous festive events... 
Late night shopping & alpine suppers 
Thursday evenings, 5.30-8.30pm, December 2nd, 9th & 16th 
 
Our Garden Centre, Garden Shop and Deli, as well as Emma Vowles' flower and lifestyle shop open for you to do your Christmas shopping in the peace and tranquility of Avon Mill. 
 
Shopping at Avon Mill is not just for gardeners and plant lovers, although we have plenty of great gift ideas for them. We have presents for all tastes and prefrences, from fabulous chocolates, sloe gin, wines, cookery books, cookware, toiletries, children's garden tools, ceramics and homeware to clothing accessories, jewellery, contemporary artwork and a whole lot more. 
 
Whilst you are here, visit the Deli to place your special order for your Christmas entertaining. The Deli can also take your bespoke gift order, your personal gift selection. You decide how much you wish to spend and choose the items, the Deli does the rest, to create a beautifully presented, personalised gift.  
 
We have everything that you need to dress your house for the festive season....Christmas trees, tree lights, decorations and baubles, candles, holly, mistletoe, Christmas garlands, gorgeous cut flowers, poinsettias and cyclamen. And Christmas cards too. 
 
Don't miss a visit to our 'Ski Lodge' for something deliciously alpine to keep you warm and nourished. Our cafe is open exclusively for the late nights when we will whisk you off to an alpine ski lodge, without even having to board a plane! 
 
So come and dip your bread into a cheese fondue or pop a marshmallow into a chocolate one. Enjoy bratwurst, meatballs, smorgasboard, crepes, gingerbread, stollen, goulash, biere, schnapps, gluewein and hot chocolate. Drop in on the night or call the Ski Lodge to reserve a table on 01548 550066. Open until 9pm. Bon appetit. 
 
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Everything to dress your house at Christmas... 
christmas tree weekends 
Sat 4 & Sun 5 December and Sat 11 & Sun 12 December 
 
Come and choose your Christmas tree from our fantastic selection. We have trees in every shape and size, well more or less! From Fraser Firs to traditional Norway Spruce. It's a family tradition that you cannot miss and there's nothing like the smell of a fresh fir tree in your house. Enjoy roasted chestnuts and complimentary mulled wine. Keep your little ones amused at our 'festive activity table'. 
 
We'll also have tree stands, tree lights, tree decorations, poinsettias, cyclamen, Christmas wreaths and garlands, holly, mistletoe and a whole lot more. 
 
Our Cafe is open for mince pies and more mulled wine, and other festive treats, as well as its usual menu. Why not have a lazy lie-in on Sunday and then come for brunch? 
 
 
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Festive Food & Flowers 
Thursday 25 November & Thursday 7 December, 6.30-8.30pm 
 
An evening of festive inspiration. Delicious canapes and drinks in the Deli, followed by a demonstratrion of stunning, seasonal flowers from Emma Vowles, in her flower and lifestyle shop. Both shops are open for you to make purchases whilst you are here. You get to take away the canape recipes to recreate at home. 
 
Tickets £15.00 pp. Call Sarah Pope at the Deli on 01548 559187.  
 
 
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Gardening with the experts: 
'Garden pests & diseases. How to deal with them' 
with Jenny & Ali, Avon Mill's own expert team 27 June, 10-5pm 
 
Our own garden centre experts are on hand all day long to help diagnose your garden pests and diseases. So bring your specimens along, contained if mobile, and find out how to deal with them!  
 
We will have some examples on display, together with the appropriate remedy, so come and see if you can spot the source, and cure, for your offending garden intruder or unwelcome guest and return your plants to glowing health.  
 
 
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Gardening with the experts: 
'Irrigation systems made simple' with Dean Franklin 
5 July , 2-4pm 
 
Claber, ' the masters of water', are here to demystify the 'ins and outs' of garden irrigation systems. So, your plants can be watered, without waste, and at the optimum time, even if you are not around. 
 
Perfect for greenhouses, hanging baskets, pots, containers, vegetable plots and allotments. Ideal for garden lovers who are away from home and for use in second/holiday homes. 
 
Come along, talk to an expert, see the systems being demonstrated and find out all you ever wanted to know about garden watering systems! 
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Gardening with the experts: 
'Coastal Gardening' with Jo Stopher 
Tues 3 August, 11am - 2pm 
 
Located close to the coast, our garden centre has always offered a range of trees, shrubs and plants to cope with local maritime weather and coastal soil conditions. We've linked up today with landscape designer Jo Stopher, of Stopher Design Partnership, who will be here to inspire you with ideas for your own seaside garden and to answer your questions about coastal gardening. And of course offer some solutions to help protect your garden from wind, salt and sand! 
 
Designer of fabulous coastal gardens along the South Hams coast, Jo will motivate you with her knowledge and enthusiasm. We will also have available a range of plants and other products to give your garden that distinctive coastal feel. 
 
Jo will be around the Cafe throughout the lunchtime period too, so do feel free to go up and chat to her. Why not stay on and have lunch whilst you are here? May be some tasty, coastal crab sandwiches? 
 
If you have young children in tow, don't worry, we'll have some supervised activities to occupy them whilst you are here. Or may be another family member will take them on a walk through the nearby Avon Valley woods or for a picnic in the lovely grounds of Avon Mill, by the river. 
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Dogs on show at Avon Mill 
Sunday 8 August 2010 2 pm - register from 12 noon 
 
Following the success of last autumn's family dog show at Avon Mill Garden Centre, we're hosting a 'Companion Dog Show' in aid of Animals in Distress, Ipplepen, here on the afternoon of Sunday 8th August 2010. Judging by expert Liz Roe (Pirospont). 
 
For those not in the know, a 'Companion Dog Show' is registered by the Kennel Club and held under its rules and regulations, but anyone can enter their dog and there are all the usual show and fun classes. Entry is on the day and with show schedules available from this site in July 2010. 
 
So make a diary note and come along and have a look around our beautiful garden centre and then have lunch in our cafe, to settle your stomach before the show! Or stop for one of our famous Devon cream teas before heading for home.  
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Autumn Festival 
The 2nd weekend in October 
 
October, season of mists and mellow fruitfulness. Time to celebrate all things autumnal. So come along to our ever popular Autumn Festiva. Apples, pumpkins, cider making, willow weaving, vintage tractors, steam engines, crafts, story telling and much more. 
 
Food tastings in the Deli, seasonal flowers and gifts in Emma Vowles’ flower shop, bulbs and autumn bedding in the Garden Centre and a heart warming lunch in the Café. 
 
Innundated with apples? Then bring these along to the apple-press, with a container, and take away your own, freshly squeezed apple juice. Sunday only. 
 
Bring the children along on Sunday to listen to Clive Fairweather's magical story-telling. 
Feeling creative? Then try your hand at willow weaving on Saturday with Angela Holland. Fun for children and adults alike. 
 
Food tastings include Quickes Cheese, Curworthy Cheese, Salcombe Dairy, Midfields Granola, Devon Juicer, Devon Honey, Kays Cakes (gluten free), Curry Tree spices, Curry Leaves' ready made curries and Sampford Courtney Cider. 
 
May be walk the dog along the river amidst the falling leaves in nearby Loddiswell Woods. Then, once exercised, entertained and fed, head for home and a well deserved rest by the fire. Bliss! Free admission. Dogs welcome. Click here for more autumn festival fun. 
 
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Avon Mill Garden Centre . Woodleigh Road . Loddiswell . Kingsbridge . South Devon . TQ7 4DD  
www.avonmill.com . Tel Garden Centre 01548 550338 Cafe 01548 550066 / Privacy 
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