Okehampton TIC

05/06/2026

We have Cogs and Wheels Ladies Morris Dancers and Tinners Morris joining us on Thursday 11th June from 7.45pm.

Why not pop along and enjoy some traditional Morris dancing? Maybe with a few drinks and some traditional home cooked food to make an evening of it!!

23/05/2026

Gardeners across Exeter, central and East Devon will open their garden gates and share their beautiful green spaces to support Hospiscare.

14/05/2026

12/05/2026

It’s official! Visiting museums is good for your health. What are you waiting for?

Regularly visiting museums, galleries, and exhibitions can extend your lifespan and slow the biological ageing process, according to new research from University College London (UCL) published in May 2026. Engaging in cultural activities weekly can slow biological ageing by 4%, while visiting every few months is linked to a 31% lower risk of premature death.Key Findings on Longevity and ArtsBiological Ageing: Cultural engagement affects DNA methylation patterns, effectively slowing the body's biological clock.Lifespan Increase: People who visit museums or galleries every few months have a significantly lower risk of premature death compared to those who never go.Similar to Exercise: Researchers suggest that enjoying the arts should be recognized as a health-promoting behavior similar to regular physical activity.How Museums Impact HealthReduced Stress: Museum visits are associated with lower stress hormones, lower blood pressure, and decreased heart rates.Mental & Cognitive Boost: Regular attendance improves mental health, reduces loneliness, and supports cognitive function.Social & Emotional Benefits: The experience provides mental stimulation and emotional regulation.RecommendationsEven infrequent, occasional visits are beneficial, but weekly cultural activities yield the highest results, slowing ageing by roughly 4%.The findings are particularly relevant for older adults, with studies focusing on those over 50, but the benefits apply to adults over 40.This data supports "social prescribing," where doctors refer patients to community arts activities to improve well-being.

12/05/2026

We have known Richard for sometime here at the museum but I didn’t know that this fabulous Chris Chapman photograph of a sheep shearer, was of him! So wonderful to put a name to a face and hear the story behind the photo. If you love these photos we have more around the museum and Chris has an exhibition on at Providence Chapel. Come and see both.

08/05/2026

30/04/2026

My guest on this week's episode of the Come Here! podcast is Kristy Turner, the manager and curator of The Museum of Dartmoor Life.

The museum has been open for 45 years and covers 5000 years of Dartmoor history, stretched over three floors of an old mill building in the centre of Okehampton. The collections explore the people, industries, folklore and landscapes that make Dartmoor unique.

Visitors will learn about the stone rows, hut circles and burial cairns; see how geology, flora and fauna have shaped these dramatic landscapes; explore domestic life, including local crafts and traditions; and see what working on the moor was like in the quarries, down the mines and working the land.

Find out more by listening wherever you access podcasts, or via my website at www.lizdrury.com/come-here/

02/12/2025

14/11/2025

It may seem silly to mention it, but on Pudsey day in Tavistock, cash really is king. With a pint of Jail Ale at £2 a pint & money going to the BBC Children in Need appeal, cash in hand will go a lot further than plastic in Tavi! Plenty of cash machines opposite the square. Can we beat last years record collection of £2820 in one day? We are going to try!!!

06/11/2025