10 Summer Food Festivals in the UK

It used to be that the British summer was more fleeting than an American Presidential visit, but whether it’s a consequence of climate change or fake news, summers too seem to be getting longer these days. Which is great news for those wishing to sample the ever increasing number of summer food festivals in the UK and Ireland popping up each year.

Europe, Gastronomy
 

It used to be that the British summer was more fleeting than an American Presidential visit, but whether it’s a consequence of climate change or fake news, summers too seem to be getting longer these days. Which is great news for those wishing to sample the ever increasing number of summer food festivals in the UK popping up each year.

From London to Ludlow, and Edinburgh to Abergavenny, here is our slightly haphazard selection of some of the best food festivals in the UK and Ireland this summer.

Food Festivals throughout the Summer

Great British Food Festival, Chiswick House

The Great British Food Festival is a repeat offender, with a series of fests around the UK from May to September, from Dalkeith Country Park in Scotland to Margam Park in South Wales. The series kicks off at Burton Constable in Hull on 13 to 14 May, and concludes at Arley House Cheshire on 23 to 24 September. Simply enter your postcode on the website to find the one closest to you.

Pub in the Park

Double Michelin star chef Tom Kerridge brings his Pub in the Park food festival series around the UK from May to September. The series combines top food with excellent music: Bananarama; Gabrielle; Clean Bandit; Sam Ryder;  Sugarbabes; MCFLY; Sister Sledge; Happy Mondays; Squeeze; and UB40 featuring Ali Campbell. The series concludes in St Albans from 8-10 September.

Isle of Wight Garlic Festival
Isle of Wight Garlic Festival

Food Festivals in June

Taste of London

Heading to the capital for the first of several food festivals in London this summer, Taste of London will reappear in Regent’s Park for five days from 14 to 18 June. Michelin-star chefs, food demos and workshops will showcase the best of the city’s plethora of quality restaurant.

Food Festivals in July

Edinburgh Food Festival

The only food festival in Edinburgh’s city centre, the Edinburgh Food Festival returns to the Assembly George Square Gardens from 21-30 July. Some 25,000 people are expected to discover what’s hidden in Scotland’s larder. With a strong emphasis on street food, choose between Jarvis Pickles pies, and seafood and ice cream from Alanda’s Gelato and Fish and Chips.

Rock Oyster Festival 2022 Cornwall
Rock Oyster Festival Cornwall
Top chefs will demonstrate how to use fresh ingredients at the Rock Oyster Festival

Dinham House will host the Rock Oyster Festival. Overlooking the beautiful Camel Estuary near Padstow, this year the leading UK food and music festival has teamed up with chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall. Headlining the music side of the Cornwall festival are Nile Rodgers & Chic, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Groove Armada (DJ Set) . Between 27 and 30 July 2023.

Food Festivals in August

Isle of Wight Garlic Festival

Since 1983 the town of Newchurch on the Isle of Wight has been home to the Isle of Wight Garlic Festival. With a large array of local produce as well as a beer tent and archery – hopefully not together – this year’s festival, from 19 to 20 August, promises to kick up a bigger stink than ever. At least you won’t have to fear fending off any vampires at night.

Meatopia

The second of our food festivals in London, Meatopia comes to the capital’s Tobacco Dock from 31 August to 3 September. Meaning exactly what is says on the can, Meatopia celebrates the finest of ethically-sourced meat. Top chefs listed to appear include Tom Brown from Cornerstone, Ramael Scully and Barragan Mohacho. So expect everything apart from a falafel.

Food Festivals in September

Taste East Devon Food and Drink Festival
Michael Caines and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall
Michael Caines and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall

This September will see East Devon become a foodie’s delight as the field to fork Taste East Devon Food and Drink Festival takes over the countryside. The festival will feature award-wining chefs, including Michael Caines, restaurants and producers for nine days from 9 to 24 September. From brewery open days, to farm feasts and tastings some events are free and others ticketed, but all will be full of entertainment.

The Inner Bailey of Ludlow Castle, seen from the Great Tower.
The Inner Bailey of Ludlow Castle, c. Shropshire Beyond
Ludlow Food Festival

A veteran of the UK food festival circuit, Ludlow Food Festival dates back to 1995, this year returning to the picturesque medieval market town from 8 to 10 September. Held in the market square in Ludlow Castle few, if any, food festivals can compete in terms of setting. With its famous sausage trail, food talks and demonstrations, and produce from the Welsh borders, this really is a veritable food festival. If you can’t make September, there is a spring festival in May and a walk in August.

Abergavenny Food Festival

Finishing back where we started in Wales, 16 to 17 September will see the Abergavenny Food Festival. Almost 40,000 people are expected to visit the biggest food festival in Wales. There will be a series of wild and foraged walks through the Welsh countryside, and a special Saturday Night Feast.

With so many food festivals in the UK – we have just skimmed the surface – of one thing you can be sure, you won’t be going hungry this summer.


Accommodation in the UK

If you are looking for accommodation or flights during these food festivals in the UK and Ireland, please use our comparison engine. We scan all the major hotel and flight booking sites so you don’t have to.

Click to search for hotels with Agoda

Updated 13 May 2023.

Mark Bibby Jackson

Mark Bibby Jackson

Before setting up Travel Begins at 40, Mark was the publisher of AsiaLIFE Cambodia and a freelance travel writer. When he is not packing and unpacking his travelling bag, Mark writes novels, including To Cook A Spider and Peppered Justice. He loves walking, eating, tasting beer, isolation and arthouse movies, as well as talking to strangers on planes, buses and trains whenever possible. Most at home when not at home.

Read more posts by Mark Bibby Jackson →

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