The Journal
Seasonal Notes
Quiet dispatches from the valley — events, sightings and customs to time your visit around.
Autumn · 5 November 2026
Ottery Tar Barrels — Bonfire Night on the Otter
A centuries-old tradition where flaming barrels of tar are run through the streets of Ottery St Mary every 5th of November.
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Autumn · 4 October 2026
Cider Pressing at Bowhayes Orchards
Each October the orchards at Venn Ottery come alive with the smell of fresh pomace. A weekend at the press, with hot pies from the Field Kitchen.
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Spring · 12 May 2026
Watching for Beavers at Dusk
The Otter is the only English river with a sanctioned wild population of Eurasian beavers. Late spring evenings offer the best chance of a sighting.
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Winter · 18 January 2026
Winter Waders on the Otter Estuary
Redshank, curlew, wigeon, teal and shelduck winter on the 57-acre SSSI at the river's mouth. Best at a falling tide.
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