Spring 2013 UK food and drink festivals and events


Updated on 01 May 2013 | 0 Comments

We round up some of the best gatherings for food and drink lovers over the coming months.

After the lull of winter, food festivals and events will be popping up all over the UK, dishing up great local food and drink, demonstrations from top chefs and a chance to celebrate all that's good about British fare. Here's our pick of what's going on this spring. All ticket prices quoted are for advance sales; it will generally cost more to pay at the door.

Real Food Festival

What: A showcase of top small producers and street food specialists on the banks of the Thames.
When:
3rd-6th May
Where: Southbank Centre, London
Cost: Free
More info: www.realfoodfestival.co.uk

Torq-eat

What: See what they've done there? Food stalls, street entertainment and local chefs hosting a cookery theatre.
When:
4th May
Where: Torquay Harbourside
Cost: Free
More info: www.englishriviera.co.uk

Munchies On The Meadow

What: A meadow full of local producers and suppliers for you to munch your way round, plus demonstrations and talks.
When:
4th May
Where: Meadow Room, Cobham, Kent
Cost: Free
More info: www.meadowroom.org.uk

Tideswell Food Festival

What: Artisan food and drink stalls, music, dancing and more.
When:
4th May
Where: Centre of Tideswell, Buxton
Cost: Free
More info: www.tastetideswell.co.uk

The Medicine Garden Art and Food Festival

What: Demonstrations and tasting sessions plus art and crafts workshops.
When:
6th May
Where: The Medicine Garden, Cobham, Surrey
Cost: £4 donation per family
More info: www.themedicinegarden.com

Stilton Cheese Rolling

What: An historic event where teams compete to be crowned cheese rolling champions at the village festival.
When:
6th May
Where: Stilton, Leicestershire
Cost: Free
More info: www.stilton.org

Christchurch Food & Wine Festival

What: A market, demonstrations from star chefs and plenty of things for the kids to do at this family-oriented festival.
When:
10th-19th May
Where: Various venues around Christchurch
Cost: Some events free, most workshops and demonstrations ticketed
More info: www.christchurchfoodfest.co.uk

Grillstock Bristol

What: A celebration of barbeque culture, accompanied by craft beer, live music and some smokin' hot competitions (think chillis). You can see what happened at Grillstock 2012 in Andrew Webb's article.
When:
11th-12th May
Where: Lloyds Amphitheatre, Bristol
Cost: Adults from £7.50
More info: grillstock.co.uk

Ludlow Spring Food Festival

What: The organisers promise "more than beer, bangers and bread" at this festival in a very historic setting.
When:
11th-12th May
Where: Ludlow Castle
Cost: Adults from £6; children 5-13 £1.50
More info: www.springevent.org.uk

St Andrews Food Fair

What: Local produce, talks and workshops are on offer at this indoor event.
When:
12th May
Where: Byre Theatre, St Andrews
Cost: Free
More info: www.byretheatre.com

Loch Fyne Food Fair

What: Roll up for a feast of West Coast food, ale and entertainment.
When: 18th-19th May
Where: Fields next to the Loch Fyne Oyster Bar, Cairndow
Cost: Free
More info: www.lochfyne.com

Alresford Watercress Festival

What: A huge street festival in Hampshire to celebrate a local delicacy.
When:
19th May
Where: New Alresford
Cost: Free
More info: www.watercressfestival.org

RAW Artisan Wine Fair

What: Sample over 1,000 wines from artisan producers from around the globe.
When:
19th-20th May
Where: Old Truman Brewery, London
Cost: £20
More info: www.rawfair.com

VegFest UK Bristol

What: One of Europe’s biggest events for vegetarians heads outdoors with live music to complement the veggie goodness.
When:
24th-26th May
Where: Ampitheatre and Waterside Square, Bristol
Cost: Adults £2; children £1
More info: bristol.vegfest.co.uk

Bretforton Silver Band Asparagus Auction

What: Part of the British Asparagus Festival, hundreds gather in the courtyard of the pub to bid for the season's largest, freshest and greenest asparagus.
When:
26th May
Where: The Fleece Inn, Bretforton, Worcestershire
Cost: Free
More info: www.britishasparagusfestival.org

Dartington Food Fair

What: The best of South Devon's local produce plus pony rides and a cider bar.
When:
26th-27th May
Where: The Shops, Dartington
Cost: Free
More info: www.dartington.org/shops/food-fair

Know of an event we haven't listed here? Please add it to the Comments section below (no trade events please).

This article has been updated since its original publication

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