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 | ||||
END |