The UK’s foodie scene seems to get bigger every year, and so does our obsession with it! This is evident in the array of food festivals that now take place across the country come summertime, where people can get together and enjoy incredible street food and restaurant pop-ups alongside top-notch entertainment. Here, we’ve rounded up a few of the best gastronomic gatherings taking place over the next few months…
Blenheim Palace Food Festival
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This year will mark the tenth anniversary of Blenheim Palace Food Festival, so visitors can expect a scrumptious smorgasbord of culinary delights, from artisan food stalls to live demos and even Q&As with celebrity chefs. While you’re there, you can pop into the new ‘Icons of British Fashion exhibition’ too, where designers including Zandra Rhodes and Stella McCartney have taken over different rooms of the building with their visionary creations…
Entry to the Food Festival is included with an Annual or Privilege Pass, or a Palace Park and Gardens or Park and Gardens day ticket, 25–27 May, Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
The Yorkshire Dales Food and Drink Festival
What is apparently the UK’s biggest food festival (and family-owned too!), will return to a farm just outside of Skipton this summer. With weekend tickets available, you can really make a trip of it if you wish and camp, glamp, or book into a nearby hotel. In addition to the foodie experiences — including appearances by James Martin and Si King — there’ll be music and entertainment from Blue, Heather Small and Gok Wan, as well as endless craft workshops and kid-friendly experiences.
From £20, 19–21 July, Funkirk Farm, Yorkshire
Tom Kerridge’s Pub in the Park
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This year, celebrity chef Tom Kerridge’s gastronomic celebration will tour four locations, beginning in Marlow in May before heading to Chiswick, Reigate and St Albans in the months that follow. The extensive line-up features culinary legends like Michel Roux Jnr, Rick Stein, Mary Berry, Simon Rimmer and Jose Pizarro. There’ll also be pop-up versions of some of the best restaurants around at the moment, including Temper and The Hand & Flowers. Festivalgoers will also be entertained by some impressive musical acts, including Van Morrison, Paloma Faith, De La Soul, Busted and Jools Holland!
From £33, Multiple dates and locations
The Big Feastival
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Blur bassist turned cheese producer Alex James is behind this extravaganza of music and food, so you can expect high quality acts in both arenas! Artists including Becky Hill, Snow Patrol and Johnny Marr will entertain from the stage, while the foodie line-up features the likes of Raymond Blanc, Andi and Miquita Oliver and Jack Stein. Meanwhile, you can sample a range of delights at street food stalls from Acme Fire Cult, Temper, Chick ‘n’ Sours and Alex James’ Cheese Hub, of course!
From £93.50, 23–25 August, The Cotswolds
Taste of London Festival
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This year will mark the 20th anniversary of the capital’s Taste of London festival in Regent’s Park, so as you can imagine, the menu is more tempting than ever! Featured restaurants include Norma, Roka and Roti King, plus you’ll find cookery schools, artisan markets, live DJs and plenty of fun-filled areas that have been taken over by sponsors, including Piper-Heidsieck Champagne and El Jimador tequila.
From £20.70, 12-16 June, Regent’s Park
Foodies Festival
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The three-day Foodies Festival travels all over the country, from Edinburgh to Brighton, all throughout the Great British summer. This year’s tasty tour will feature appearances by Great British Bake Off winners and favourites in the Cake & Bake Theatre as well as music sensations Sister Sledge, Example and Blue. Meanwhile, the chef’s theatre will host a huge array of local, celebrity and Michelin-starred chefs, including MasterChef: The Professionals champion Alex Webb.
From £4, multiple dates and locations
