We are open Tuesdays to Fridays 10am-5pm and Saturdays 10am-4pm. Public tours Wednesdays 1pm-4pm.
Contact us:
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]

Lifelong learning and community programme

Join in with our programme of events and workshops for all ages in October, November and December 2023

To view our full programme of events and workshops for all ages, please see the outline below, or click here to see our full brochure: What’s On at the DEI Oct-Dec 2023

For bookable events, please click here: webcollect.org.uk/dei , which will take you to our bookings page. 

If you are having difficulty, please contact the office by email [email protected] or phone 01392 274727

October Day Event Times Additional Info
Table-top book display – Myths and monsters An exhibition exploring the imaginative vistas which opened up around fossils and prehistoric material in the 19th century, and considers how these discoveries lent themselves to speculative stories of myths and monsters (free and open to all / drop in to view during opening hours in October and November)
4th Wednesday Free tours of the Institution – find out what’s happening with our exciting building conservation and renovation programme this week 1pm-4pm Drop in
5th Thursday Green Shoots Gardening Group – Volunteers drop in session 10am-2pm Free / Open to new members
7th Saturday Felt bobble making – family fun stay and play session 10.30am-12 noon Free / For children aged 5+ / Drop in
10th Tuesday Book Group – A Game of Hide and Seek by Elizabeth Taylor 2.30pm-4pm Members’ group
11th Wednesday Free tours of the Institution – find out what’s happening with our exciting building conservation and renovation programme this week 1pm-4pm Drop in
14th Saturday Nature journaling – Autumn 10.30am-12 noon Free / For adults and young people aged 16+ / Booking essential
18th Wednesday Project café – give feedback and hear the latest from the project team 10.30am-12 noon Drop in
18th Wednesday Free tours of the Institution – find out what’s happening with our exciting building conservation and renovation programme this week 1pm-4pm Drop in
18th Wednesday Cinema Club – Big Night (1996) Doors 6pm / Film 6.30pm Members’ group
19th Thursday Green Shoots Gardening Group – Volunteers drop in session 10am-2pm Free / Open to new members
21st Saturday Bookworms Junior Members’ Club – Make spooky pom-pom creatures 10.30am-12 noon Taster session free / For children aged 5-8 years / Booking essential / See website for joining information
25th Wednesday Free tours of the Institution – find out what’s happening with our exciting building conservation and renovation programme this week 1pm-4pm Drop in
26th Thursday Skull drawing workshop 5.30pm-6.30pm Free / For adults and young people aged 16+ / Booking essential
28th Saturday Making Monsters – Creative Writing session 10.30am-12noon Free / For children 7+ / Booking essential
November Day Event Times Additional Info
Deck the Halls – It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Help us dress the Institution for the season, using traditional and natural Christmas decorations. Enjoy a mince pies and a glass of mulled wine in the special atmosphere at the Institution at this time of year. Christmas cards and gift memberships will be available to purchase and make the perfect Christmas present (Members’ drop in event)
1st Wednesday Free tours of the Institution – find out what’s happening with our exciting building conservation and renovation programme this week 1pm-4pm Drop in
2nd Thursday Green Shoots Gardening Volunteers – drop in session 10am-2pm Open to new members
2nd Thursday Evening Lecture – ‘Transformations and Change Makers’ series Dr Julia Neville “Creating Opportunities for Changing Lives in Devon in the 1920s” Drinks reception 6pm / Lecture 6.30pm Tickets £10 / Booking essential
4th Saturday Design a Christmas jar lantern – family fun stay and play session 10.30am-12 noon Free / For children aged 5+ / Drop in
8th Wednesday Free tours of the Institution – find out what’s happening with our exciting building conservation and renovation programme this week 1pm-4pm Drop in
14th Tuesday Book Group – Golden Hill by Francis Spufford 2.30pm-4pm Members’ group
15th Wednesday Project café – give feedback or hear the latest from the project team 10.30am-12 noon Drop in
15th Wednesday Free tours of the Institution – find out what’s happening with our exciting building conservation and renovation programme this week 1pm-4pm Drop in
15th Wednesday Cinema Club – Mary, Queen of Scots (1971) Doors 6pm / Film 6.30pm Members’ group
16th Thursday Green Shoots Gardening Volunteers – drop in session 10am-2pm Open to new members
18th Saturday Bookworms Junior Members’ Club – Craft an Advent Calendar Tree 10.30am-12 noon Taster session free / For children aged 5-8 years / Booking essential /
21st Tuesday Get the Most from the DEI Catalogue 2pm-3pm Free / One to one session / Booking essential
22nd Wednesday Free tours of the Institution – find out what’s happening with our exciting building conservation and renovation programme this week 1pm-4pm Drop in
25th Saturday Second-hand book and historical map sale 11am-3pm Free and open to all / Drop in
28th Tuesday Deck the Halls – help us dress the Institution for Christmas 2pm-4pm Members’ drop in
29th Wednesday Free tours of the Institution – find out what’s happening with our exciting building conservation and renovation programme this week 1pm-4pm Drop in
December Day Event Times Additional Info
Table-top book display – Throughout the Years: Characters and Tales of the Devon & Exeter Institution A special exhibition for the season of reflection, this book display explores the Institution’s rich history through the people who lived, worked, and studied within its walls. Take a journey from the DEI’s foundation to the present day through a range of collection items that connect to its most vibrant characters and noteworthy events (free and open to all / drop in to view during opening hours throughout the month).
2nd Saturday Make clove and orange Pomanders – family fun stay and play session 10.30am-12 noon Free / For children aged 7+ / Drop in
6th Wednesday Free tours of the Institution – find out what’s happening with our exciting building conservation and renovation programme this week 1pm-4pm Drop in
7th Thursday Green Shoots Gardening Volunteers – drop in session 10am-2pm Open to new members
7th Thursday Evening Lecture – ‘Transformations and Change Makers’ series Richard Dennis “George Gissing and Exeter: a transformative writer at a transformative time in his own life” Drinks reception 6pm / Lecture 6.30pm Tickets £10 / Booking essential
Friday 8th and Saturday 9th After Dark Experience Tour 5.30pm-6.30pm and 7pm-8pm All funds raised will support our Light on the Green Appeal. Tickets £15 / Booking essential
9th Saturday Make a Gift Box – family fun stay and play session 10.30am-12 noon Free / For children aged 5+ with accompanying adults / Booking essential
12th Tuesday Book Group – Mudlarking by Lara Maiklem 2.30pm-4pm Members’ group
13th Wednesday Free tours of the Institution – find out what’s happening with our exciting building conservation and renovation programme this week 1pm-4pm Drop in
14th Thursday Members’ Christmas Party – join us for drinks, canapes, entertainment and conviviality, as we celebrate another year 6pm-9pm Tickets £15 / Booking essential
16th Saturday Bookworms Junior Members’ Club – Create Gingerbread people 10.30am-12 noon Taster session free / For children aged 5-8 years / Booking essential / See website for joining information
20th Wednesday Project café – give feedback or hear the latest from the project team 10.30am-12 noon Drop in
20th Wednesday Cinema Club -– Singing in The Rain (1952) Christmas matinée – Doors 2pm / Film 2.30pm Members’ group
Closing: Wednesday 20th December at 5pm  
Opening: Thursday 4th January at 10am
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