England is known for its wide range of cultural influences when it comes to food. While British cuisine is often unfairly mocked online for being bland and boring, there are a huge amount of food festivals held in the UK which showcase some of the world’s best foods, right here in the UK. However, just one advantage of food festivals is that they often give you the chance to try something brand new from cuisine that you would not normally eat.
Fancy a kangaroo steak? Perhaps Korean-style fried chicken? Maybe Portuguese pastel de natas are more up your street, or you’ve got a taste for some Caribbean jerk pork. Whatever your cravings are, you can rest assured that they will be satisfied at a food festival.
Tuck into the best food festivals in England
1. Blenheim Palace Food Festival, Woodstock, Oxfordshire
Blenheim Palace was the former home of Winston Churchill and is steeped in British history. It’s also home to the Blenheim Palace Food Festival which is held annually, usually around the late May Bank Holiday weekend.
You can expect a range of different foods from different countries, from Australia to Norway and everywhere in between – there’s guaranteed to be something for everyone, from the most adventurous of foodies to the pickiest of eaters. You can also expect to see plenty of celebrity chefs offering live demonstrations, and if you’re lucky, you might even get a free sample of a freshly cooked dish from one of these celebrity chefs.
Festival dates: Saturday 24th – Monday 26th May 2025
Must-try dish: A true British classic: freshly baked steak and ale pie.
2. Seafest: The Seafood Festival, Weymouth, Dorset
Weymouth is not only a summer holiday destination favourite for Brits, but it’s also home to one of the best food festivals in England: Seafest. This annual festival celebrates all things seafood, and hundreds and hundreds of foodies travel to the south coast to sample the delights of Seafest. Dorset is already well-renowned for its incredible seafood – much of which is shipped abroad as well as enjoyed at home – but Seafest brings it to a whole new level.
Expect fish and seafood fresher than you’ve ever had before. Think crabs caught that very morning cooked for you at lunchtime or fish that were swimming in the harbour mere hours ago, coated in a golden, crispy batter and drenched in salt and vinegar. It doesn’t get much fresher, or better, than that.
Festival dates: 7th – 8th September 2024
Must-try dish: Thai-style mussels.
3. Foodies Festival, Norwich, Norfolk
We’re moving over to the east coast of England, and specifically into East Anglia. Foodies Festival has many locations around the UK (Edinburgh, Glasgow, Tunbridge Wells to name just a few), but Norwich Foodies Festival is the highlight in this article.
As the name suggests, foods from all over the world will be present here – making this a paradise for foodies of all ages. Alongside celebrity chef masterclasses, there’s a firepit where sizzling tomahawk steaks will be cooked to perfection in front of your eyes. There’s also an artisan bakery and so many street food stalls you’ll go from Norwich to Nairobi to New York to Nanjing and back in one afternoon!
And if you’re into music even better – with Sister Sledge, Scouting for Girls and Symphonic Ibiza among some of the names providing the entertainment while you eat to your heart’s content.
Festival dates: 6th – 8th September 2024
Must-try dishes: Birria beef tacos.
4. Saltburn Food Festival, Saltburn-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire
For those based in the north-east of England, one of the best food festivals to go to takes place in the quaint seaside town of Saltburn-by-the-Sea. If you’re big on local produce, then this is the festival for you. Local vendors flood the town with their wares, which involves closing down the town’s main roads where the stallholders set up.
But local doesn’t mean it’s all British food - expect to see Korean street food, Mexican favourites and plenty of other speciality foods, ranging from gourmet Scotch eggs to the famous Teesside chicken parmo: a deep-fried breaded chicken fillet, covered in bechamel sauce and cheese, and grilled to cheesy perfection.
You can also expect to find local craft beers aplenty, or freshly made cocktails and cooling wines from the town’s bars, which open all day for the festival-goers. Live music is also provided by a range of local musicians and artists.
Festival dates: Sunday 28th July 2024 (2025 date TBC)
Must-try dish: It’s got to be the Teesside speciality, a chicken parmo.
5. The Great British Food Festival, Arley Hall, Cheshire
Like the Foodies Festival, the Great British Food Festival has several locations around the country, and it combines the nation’s love of food with some of its most stunning locations. This particular one is at Arley Hall in Cheshire, a stunning Grade II listed building, originally constructed in the 19th century.
With plenty of celebrity chefs making appearances (and even more delicious food), this is one that you simply must attend if you’re in the area. You can also expect live music from bands and artists including Max Bowker, Dirty Rockin’ Scoundrels, Groovy Revolution and more to keep you entertained while you eat.
For those feeling extra brave, there’s even a “Men vs Food” tent where willing participants (women included) can take part in food challenges. There’s also lots for those with children too, including a mini zoo, arts and crafts and a bouncy castle.
Festival dates: 21st – 22nd September 2024
Must-try dish: a fried chicken and waffle cone. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it!
6. Vegfest UK, St. Jude’s, Bristol
As the name suggests, this plant-based food festival is simply unmissable for any vegetarians, flexitarians, vegans and those interested in a plant-based diet. This fully vegan festival expects to see thousands travel to the small town of St Jude’s in Bristol to sample plant-based delights from around the world.
It will easily transform the way that you think about veganism – there’s more to it than just “rabbit food”. Expect to see an array of doughnuts, cheesecakes, ice creams, burgers, pizzas and more - plenty of foods that you didn’t think could be vegan, right?
Around 30% of the festival’s attendees are non-vegan, which speaks volumes for its popularity. Running since 2003, this is one of England’s best food festivals.
Festival dates: Saturday 24th August 2024
Must-try dish: Your favourite flavour of ice cream, but the vegan version. Yum!
7. Kington Winter Food and Drink Festival, Kington, Herefordshire
While summer food festivals are a lot more common than winter ones, this does not mean that winter food festivals should be ignored. Just think how much we all love that festive food at Christmas time, seasonal produce that just doesn’t taste as good in the height of summer.
Well, you can experience that at the Kington Winter Food and Drink Festival, where approximately 100 stallholders pitch up and showcase the best foods that the Marches has to offer.
From sweet treats such as cakes, shortbread and pastries to comfort food favourites like burgers, mac and cheese, and more, this is a must-visit food festival in the winter season.
Festival dates: 7th December 2024
Must-try dish: Hot roast pork sandwich with stuffing, apple sauce and gravy – a real winter warmer!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Chester Ollivier
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