Foodies, get your teeth stuck into these festivals
From fresh seafood in Scotland to sparkling wine in the south, Britain is home to an abundance of excellent food and drink. And what better way to celebrate our bountiful culinary offering than by throwing a big festival? The UK’s food festival scene is stronger than ever, with an eclectic range of events taking place throughout the year. These are an opportunity to discover interesting producers, watch chef demonstrations, take part in workshops and more – often alongside a stellar music line-up. Here are some of the buzziest food festivals to book for 2023.
UK Food Festivals: What To Book For 2023
- Daylesford Organic’s Summer Festival
- The Yorkshire Dales Food & Drink Festival
- Smoked & Uncut
- The Big Retreat
- North Norfolk Food and Drink Festival
- Porthleven Food Festival
- Marylebone Food Festival
- Pub in the Park
- The English Riviera Food and Music Festival
- Body & Soul Festival
- The Big Feastival
- Abergavenny Food Festival
- Isle of Man Food & Drink Festival
- Falmouth Oyster Festival
- Scottish Wild Food Festival
- Meatopia
Daylesford Organic’s Summer Festival
Organic food empire Daylesford, which has its own Costwolds farm plus multiple restaurants and shops dotted around the UK, is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a two-day festival. Country & Town House is delighted to be partnering with Daylesford on the event, which will take place at the farm this June, giving visitors a look behind the scenes at one of the UK’s most innovative farms. Of course there will be an abundance of great food, including samples from Daylesford’s own bakery, patisserie and creamery, pizza from Arancina Pizzeria and sweet treats from Dalton Farms Ice Cream. On the drinks front, meanwhile, festival goers can sip Daylesford’s own cider, craft beers and organic wine from Château Léoube. There will also be a whole host of activities on offer for all ages: chef demonstrations from the likes of Clodagh McKenna, banquet feasts, hot air balloon rides, floristry and craft workshops, and wellness sessions. You can also book onto exclusive chef’s table lunches, take part in puppy yoga, explore the countryside on special walking routes, and listen to expert talks. It’s set to be the farm’s biggest ever event, showcasing Daylesford’s ethos of eating in a way that nurtures the planet. Early bird tickets (£25) are on sale until 31 March, and include a free upgrade to a weekend ticket, so book yours now!
When? 17 – 18 June 2023
Where? Daylesford Farm, Cotswolds
BOOK: eventbrite.com
The Yorkshire Dales Food & Drink Festival
From James Martin to Gino D’Acampo, some of the UK’s top food names will be heading to the Yorkshire Dales this July for its annual festival. The family-friendly event attracts over 30,000 people each year, with over 250 exhibitors and the option to camp or glamp amid the picturesque setting. Chefs will be cooking up their favourite dishes in the theatre kitchen, and visitors can get involved themselves in one of the many workshops and masterclasses on offer. For children, there’s a special kid-friendly cooking school, a petting farm and a disco – plus a programme of live music which includes tribute acts from the likes of Katy Perry and the Spice Girls.
When? 21 – 23 July 2023
Where? Funkirk Farm, Skipton
BOOK: yorkshiredalesfoodanddrinkfestival.com
Smoked & Uncut
© Jennifer McCord
This popular countryside carnival celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, with two events taking place across the summer – one at Lime Wood hotel in the New Forest, the other at THE PIG-at Bridge Place in Kent. At Lime Wood, Angela Hartnett will be returning with her pop-up Field Kitchen, serving up seasonal Italian fare, alongside food stalls offering everything from crab shacks to BBQ dishes. And on the music side, guests can enjoy performances from an all-female line-up of headliners: Kelis, Gabrielle and DJ Harriet Rose are all confirmed. You can expect an abundance of great food, too, at the Kent event, where Razorlight is headlining.
When? 8 July and 12 August 2023
Where? Lime Wood, New Forest and THE PIG-at Bridge Place in Kent
BOOK: smokedanduncut.com
The Big Retreat Festival
This wellness-focused festival set in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park has plenty to offer foodies, with a focus on nourishing the body from the inside out. Catch cookery demonstrations in the Chef’s Kitchens, listen to nutritional talks on eco-conscious eating and gut health – and balance things out with a trip to one of the festival’s popular craft gin workshops. Names like Max La Manna and Ceri Jones are confirmed, and of course there is an endless stream of food to get your teeth stuck into, from vegan burgers and wood-fired pizza to Greek wraps and superfood bowls. Alongside this there’s a programme of fitness activities, such as paddleboarding, wild swimming and kickboxing.
When? 1 – 4 June 2023
Where? Pembrokeshire
BOOK: thebigretreatfestival.com
North Norfolk Food and Drink Festival
Norfolk’s biggest food festival returns to the Walled Garden at Holkham this September, with the aim of promoting small businesses, producers and chefs. Each year, over 12,000 visitors flock there to try some of the area’s finest food and drink, from pizzas to hog roasts, artisan coffee and Thai dishes. The popular Cookery Theatre will be returning, hosted by Andy Newman, with a line-up of the region’s best chefs primed to cook up a storm using local produce. While you’re there, it’s also worth having a wander round Holkham Hall, an 18th century Palladian-style mansion, and taking a trip to the beautiful Holkham beach.
When? 2 and 3 September 2023
Where? Holkham, Norfolk
BOOK: northnorfolkfoodfestival.co.uk
Porthleven Food Festival
Each spring the pretty Cornish port town of Porthleven hosts a star-studded culinary event, with this year’s line-up featuring the likes of Adam Handling and James Knappett. It’s a celebration of the abundance of top-quality produce West Cornwall has to offer, with a focus on raising awareness of environmental issues through workshops, talks and masterclasses. New for 2023 is Feast Nights, a series of intimate evening events where guest chefs cook up a three-course dinner using locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. Also not to be missed: live music in the evenings, followed by Bloody Mary’s and breakfast pasties in Ann’s Pasty Lounge the next morning.
When? 21 – 23 April 2023
Where? Porthleven, Cornwall
BOOK: porthlevenfoodfestival.com
Marylebone Food Festival
Hosted by food critic Jay Rayner alongside a handful of top London chefs, the Marylebone Food Festival will see restaurants, bars and food stores across the neighbourhood hosting special events across a five-day period. It will kick off with a highly anticipated seven course dinner (which tends to sell out quickly), followed by a series of masterclasses, supper clubs, tastings and themed nights. Proceeds from the event will go towards charity partner The Food Chain, which supports people living with HIV in London.
When? 25 – 30 April 2023
Where? Marylebone, London
BOOK: marylebonefoodfestival.com
Pub in the Park
Tom Kerridge’s Pub in the Park sees a top line-up of chefs and music artists touring around the country, all with one mission: to celebrate everything there is to love about the glorious British pub. The chef line-up for next year’s festival is yet to be announced, but you can always guarantee a great turnout – last year featured names like James Martin and Michael Roux Jr, plus pop-ups from numerous UK restaurants. Music is a big part of this one too, with performances from Sam Ryder, Clean Bandit, Tinie Tempah and The Jacksons on the cards for 2023.
When? 12 May – 10 September 2023
Where? Various locations across the country including London, Marlow and Bath
BOOK: pubintheparkuk.com
The English Riviera Food and Music Festival
A new festival coming to Devon this May will celebrate the best of the south west, set on the seafront of Torquay and showcasing the region’s culinary scene. Catch live cooking demonstrations, take part in interactive family-friendly activities and try plenty of top local produce – plus enjoy the music line-up, which features names like Scouting for Girls and The Feeling.
When? 26 – 29 May 2023
Where? Torquay, Devon
BOOK: rivierafoodmusicfest.co.uk
Body & Soul Festival
Spend the longest day of the year at a food festival in an Irish castle, and thank us later. Each year, Dublin’s hidden gem, Ballinlough Castle, hosts a three-day event to bring a fantastic culinary line-up from some of the best local innovative gourmet producers – and just to top it off, it’s all paired with champagne. The castle’s walled gardens are transformed into a feasting arena where you can eat, drink and watch live performances – expect foraged goodies, Victorian tea parties, freshly shaken cocktails and more.
When? 16 – 18 June 2023
Where? Westmeath, Ireland
BOOK: bodyandsoul.ie
Smoke and Fire
Returning to Ascot Racecourse and Promenade Park this August is Smoke and Fire, the UK’s largest BBQ festival which is now in its fifth year. A celebration of outdoor cooking, it will showcase street vendors, chefs, butchers and bakers from all over the world, taking place across two weekends in two different locations. Live demonstrations will teach guests traditional Mexican cooking techniques from Cavita, how to make the perfect jerk with Rudies London and much more, alongside pop-ups from the likes of Mediterranean restaurant Barboun and Mexican-Korean street food spot Mexican Seoul. New for 2023 is Pit Chat, where visitors will have the chance to speak with the authors of their favourite BBQ cookbooks and learn their tricks of the trade. All this can be enjoyed to the soundtrack of blues and country music, with live bands and singers performing across the weekend.
When? 5 – 6 August, and 26 – 28 August 2023
Where? Ascot Racecourse, and Promenade Park, Maldon
BOOK: smokeandfirefestival.com
The Big Feastival
c. Jenna Foxton
Always a highlight on the summer calendar is The Big Feastival, the ultimate feel-good food extravaganza which takes place on Alex James’ farm in the Cotswolds. Each year, it brings together top chefs, artists woodand producers – plus a whole bunch of hungry festival-goers – for a weekend of good food and good music. This year’s line-up has just been announced, and it’s as exciting as ever, featuring Asma Khan, Nathan Outlaw and Anna Haugh on the food side, alongside music from Sigrid, Tom Grennan and Mel C. It’s a great option for families too, with plenty of activities for little ones.
When? 25 – 27 August 2023
Where? The Cotswolds
BOOK: thebigfeastival.com
Abergavenny Food Festival
Perhaps the most high-brow festival on our list, Abergavenny Food Festival is known for bringing together chefs, food businesses, farmers and food producers who flock to the historic Welsh town to enjoy talks, demonstrations and, of course, lots of delicious food. From tutored tastings to demos from top chefs, tours and forages as well as big parties, there’s something to tickle everyone’s tastebuds.
When? 16 – 17 September 2023
Where? Abergavenny, Wales
BOOK: Tickets available from 1 April 2023, abergavennyfoodfestival.com
Isle of Man Food & Drink Festival
The excellent Manx produce is celebrated each year at the Isle of Man Food and Drink Festival, which returns this September. Over 70 producers join forces on the island, from fizz to sausages and artisan breads, alongside cookery demonstrations and live entertainment. The Manx Cookery Theatre hosts sessions on everything from preparing shellfish to Indian flavours and butchery, alongside cheese tastings and a workshop on sea salt.
When? 16 – 17 September 2023
Where? Isle of Man
BOOK: iomfoodanddrink.com
Falmouth Oyster Festival
Oyster lovers, shuck to your heart’s content at the annual Falmouth Oyster Festival, which runs every October to celebrate the start of oyster-dredging season. Taking place on the harbourside location of Church Street, it offers a mix of cookery demonstrations, live music, arts and crafts and more, with plenty of opportunities to sample top Cornish produce. Naturally, oysters are a key focus: there’s a shucking competition and a grand oyster parade, but the festival also celebrates the wider diversity of Cornish seafood, with plenty of champagne to pair it with.
When? 13 – 16 October 2023
Where? Falmouth, Cornwall
BOOK: falmouthoysterfestival.co.uk
Scottish Wild Food Festival
Set on the beautiful Cardross Estate, The Scottish Wild Food Festival is – as the name suggests – a celebration of wild food. Visitors are invited to take part in hands-on foraging, folklore walks and craft workshops, watch demonstrations from chefs and join daily long table meals packed with seasonal, foraged ingredients.
When? 2023 dates TBC
Where? Tir na nog, near Glasgow, Scotland
BOOK: Ticket release date TBC, scottishwildfoodfestival.co.uk
Meatopia
Now over 10 years old, Meatopia is a festival dedicated to meat, with a focus on quality and sustainability. Taking place in Tobacco Dock each year, the event sees over 60 of the world’s best live-fire chefs gather to cook up exclusive dishes over sustainably-sourced wood and charcoal, with previous names including Ottolenghi, Niklas Ekstedt and Francis Mallmann. All this is to be enjoyed alongside live music from roaming brass brands and DJs, plus craft beers and cocktails.
When? 2023 dates TBC
Where? Tobacco Dock, London
BOOK: meatopia.co.uk
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