Folk dance clubs in Devon + useful links (needs updating!)

Dance teaching for small and large groups - or individual instruction - my new venture for 2022 and subsequently.

Gittisham Folk Dance Club - in Gittisham (near Honiton) - most Wednesdays but nothing like as good as it once was.

Willand Folk Dance Club - Thursday club nights and some Saturdays - arguably the best folk dance venue in Devon.

Sidford Folk Dance Club - Details: call Helen on (01395) 514161 One of many local clubs that has declined over the last ten years.

Exeter Ceilidhs - a new venture by Jeremy Child. As of 2026 it is in its fifth year. Occasional Saturdays. Often lively and with some competent dancers. Occasional Contra dance teaching evenings also.

A song written by Pete Mac about the Napoli - beached at Branscombe, January 2007.

English Country dancing (folk dance) basics - learn some of the terminology. Includes diagrams for difficult moves.

Tips for what clothes to wear for dancing - just my own opinion!

How to teach the buzz step (pivot) swing used in English Folk dancing - ask me for a free lesson!


Some local and 'difficult to find' halls used to be occasionally for folk dances. Bad weather could restrict access to some of the venues. Nowadays (post pandemic) the problem is more one of a lack of dancers - so most of these venues have not been used for years.

Branscombe Village Hall  EX12 3DB  maps and routes

Broadclyst Victory Hall  Postcode EX5 3EE  maps and routes

Clyst St Mary Village Hall  maps and routes

Colyton Town Hall. Only one route is recommended in bad weather  maps and routes

Combe Raleigh Village Hall  EX14 4TQ  maps parking and routes

Exwick Parish Hall  EX4 2AB  maps and routes

Farway Village Hall. EX24 6DQ  maps and routes

Gittisham Village Hall EX14 3AF  maps and routes

Northleigh Village Hall. EX24 6BJ  map and routes

Ottery St Mary, The Institute. EX11 1HD  maps routes and parking - click here


Other folk dance and ceilidh websites

Exeter Great Western's ceilidhs used to be regular events in Exeter (sadly no more). A new series of Exeter ceilidhs now exists out at The Kenn Centre. (se above)

Devon folk - a listing of most folk events - music, dance, etc held throughout Devon. Find the page 'Diary Dates'.

Ceilidh calling - start here if you fancy your chances as a caller (or want to learn some simple dances)

Folk festivals in the UK - a definitive listing

Set and turn single - a web-based listing service for folk events nationwide, used to have a printed magazine but sadly - no longer!

Folk Dance venues - a list of Devon venues with map links and postcodes, part of Harberton Folk.


SeeRed folk festival section - mainly about the Sidmouth International Festival (as was!). Also all about its replacement, FolkWeek.