Painting a picture of a vibrant Devon arts scene

East Devon is home to an exciting and growing arts scene, making it a wonderful destination for artists, collectors and anyone looking for creative inspiration in Devon. From galleries and exhibitions to open studios and craft events, the Jurassic Coastline offers a rich cultural experience.

Visitors to Sidmouth, Lyme Regis, Seaton, Beer and Honiton can explore local galleries, enjoy community arts events and discover talented artists and makers working across a wide range of disciplines, including painting, ceramics, printmaking, textiles, sculpture and jewellery.

Closest and just a short walk from The Old Bakehouse is Umborne Bridge Studio, which hosts a group of artists including Alex Boon and Anna Brewster. Alex is a nature journaling artist, who has written two books on drawing nature. He runs regular nature journaling classes in person at the studio and online. Anna is a landscape artist and tutor, who believes that art is for everyone, whether it is making it or enjoying it. She too offers classes at the studio where there is a wide selection of her work available to buy.

In Honiton, the Thelma Hulbert Gallery operates as a cultural hub, supporting communities in their health, environment and well-being through a programme of exhibitions, events and workshops.

The gallery is currently hosting a solo exhibition by post-war British landscape painter Yasmin David entitled The Nature of Light. Yasmin’s works remained hidden for decades until her death when her daughter discovered her archive. Yasmin’s paintings explore the particular light and landscape near her home on the edge of Dartmoor. The exhibition continues until October 31, 2026.

Meanwhile, head east to the Dorset border and drop in to the Malthouse Gallery, at The Mill, in Lyme Regis. This fantastic gallery attracts more than 55,000 visitors a year, showcasing a diverse artistic programme featuring established and emerging talent. Entry is free.

One of the highlights of the East Devon arts calendar is Devon Open Studios, which has been running across September and is a much-loved celebration of artists and makers from across the county. Devon Open studios gives visitors the rare opportunity to go behind the scenes, visit working studios, meet artists in person and learn more about how original art is created. For anyone interested in the creative process, it offers a far more personal experience than a traditional gallery visit. For information on studios to visit, see https://openstudios.devonartistnetwork.co.uk

These studios and galleries are just a small selection of the art waiting to be discovered when you book a stay at The Old Bakehouse.

Thelma Hulbert Gallery, Honiton