Five autumn food festivals
Are you looking for inspiration for a new place to visit in the next few weeks? We’ve found five lovely spots around the country that are holding autumn food festivals, so you could combine a visit with sampling local (and not so local) foods before walking it off in the countryside nearby.
York food festival is taking place from 21-30 September. There are a range of free and ticketed events, taking in local food and drinks, as well as a new taste trail. You can purchase a booklet for the taste trail online and then visit a number of independent traders around York, trying canapés, cheese, chocolate and drinks as you go. There are also discount vouchers in the booklet for each retailer – it sounds the perfect way to combine walking and food.
If you’re a cheese lover, then you should head to Cardiff Castle on 22-23 September for the Great British Cheese Festival. You can book tickets in advance or turn up on the day to enjoy the masterclasses, demonstration, tastings etc.
The Cumbria Food Festival takes place in Cockermouth on 29-30 September. There’s a mixture of free and ticketed events in the packed planner for the festival. From pop-up restaurants to demonstartions and masterclasses to tastings, there’s something for everyone. Cockermouth has close links with its French twin town, Marjevols and there will be a market of French traders sharing their local produce at the event. If none of that tempts you – perhaps the champagne bar or beer festival will!
For a taste of Staffordshire, try the Stone Food Festival, 5-7 October. Known as Staffordshire’s biggest celebration of all things gastronomic, you’ll find a range of themed marquees, demonstrations by top chefs and evening events. Tickets are available in advance or on the day and to combine local produce with stretching your legs, you could try out the real ale trail.
If you’re familiar with Arundel, you may well have experienced the lovely Saturday market with local food and produce. The Arundel Food Festival is on from 20-28 October with a whole host of events building on their community-led ethos. If you’d like to combine the festival with a stroll around the picturesque (and hilly) little town, there’s a treasure hunt which could hit the spot.
All of these events take place in gorgeous location around Great Britain. If you’d like to tie a food festival visit in with a walk – try one of the walks of the week from our blog. Or look on OS getamap to find a route near the events.
Themocracy
There is a food festival in Stratford upon Avon this weekend too. I shall be there on Saturday.