Spring 2015 UK food and drink festivals and events
Spring is back, and with it comes a host of foodie festivals and events.
Looking for something to do over the coming weekends? Why not stock up on ingredients and knowledge at one of these food and drink events?
All details listed below are correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of writing. You may find events are more expensive if you pay on the door. If you'd like to recommend other events, feel free to share them in the Comments below but no trade events please.
Find your nearest event using the map below and then locate the event in the list below for further information.
Some outdoor festivals may be called off in poor weather, so you'd be wise to check they are going ahead before travelling.
England (north to south)
The Food Festival at Lowry Outlet
What: Paul Hollywood and Gok Wan are the star guests at this event. There will be cookery demos, kids activities and more, but the line-up changes depending on which day you go, so be sure to check and find your preference.
When: 2nd-4th May
Where: Lowry Outlet, Manchester
Cost: TBA
More info: www.lowryoutlet.co.uk
Chorley Food Festival
What: Local exhibitors, entertainment and a cook-off.
When: 9th-10th May
Where: Chorley, Lancashire
Cost: Free
More info: www.chorleyfoodfestival.co.uk
Leeds Feast
What: Street food, drink, music, film, art and family entertainment.
When: 22nd-23rd May
Where: The Tetley, Leeds
Cost: £2
More info: www.leedsfeast.com
Malton Food Lovers Festival
What: Food stalls, music, cookery demos.
When: 23rd-24th May
Where: Malton, Yorkshire
Cost: Free
More info: www.maltonyorkshire.co.uk
Great British Food Festival @ Harewood Hall
What: Chef demos, artisan talks and tastings, live music, children's entertainment.
When: 23rd-25th May
Where: Harewood House, Leeds
Cost: Adults £7.50, Children £3.50, Family £20
More info: www.greatbritishfoodfestival.com
Great British Food Festival @ Hardwick Hall
What: Chef demos, artisan talks and tastings, live music, children's entertainment.
When: 2nd-4th May
Where: Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire
Cost: Adults £7.50, Children £3.50, Family £20
More info: www.greatbritishfoodfestival.com
Artisan Cheese Fair
What: The UK's largest cheese fair, featuring some of the rarest cheeses in the country.
When: 2nd-3rd May
Where: Cattle Market, Melton Mowbray
Cost: Free
More info: www.artisancheesefair.co.uk
Witney Festival of Food & Drink
What: Stalls, Skills Tent, cookery demos, local entertainment and various bars.
When: 16th May
Where: St Mary's Church Green, Witney
Cost: Free
More info: www.witneyfoodfestival.co.uk
Blenheim Palace Food Festival
What: Local and regional produce, cookery demos, children's workshops, stalls and talks.
When: 23rd-25th May
Where: Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
Cost: Admission included in the £13.50 ticket price to the park and gardens.
More info: www.blenheimpalace.com
London Coffee Festival
What: 'Coffee Masters' competition, loads of different coffees to try, coffee 'lab', artisan café, coffee art and more.
When: 30th April-3rd May
Where: Old Truman Brewery, London
Cost: Adults £11.50, Children £4.50 (under 10s go free)
More info: www.londoncoffeefestival.com
RAW Artisan Wine Festival
What: Taste and discover wines from 160 producers from around the world.
When: 17th May
Where: Old Truman Brewery, London
Cost: £30
More info: www.rawfair.com
Munchies Festival
What: Local food, craft beer, producers and suppliers.
When: 2nd May
Where: Cobham, Kent
Cost: Free
More info: www.munchiesfestival.com
Devizes Food & Drink Festival
What: Exhibitors will be announced at the Grand Market Fair.
When: 16th-24th May
Where: Devizes, Wiltshire
Cost: Free
More info: www.devizesfoodanddrinkfestival.info
Brighton & Hove Food & Drink Festival
What: Events, awards, bus tours and a huge market to finish.
When: 20th May-1st June
Where: Brighton
Cost: Varies, but free to Sussex & The World Market 30th-31st May
More info: www.brightonfoodfestival.com
Cake, Bake & Food Festival
What: Cookery classes and demonstrations, celebrity book signings, live music, grow your own advice, and more.
When: 22nd-25th May
Where: Gosport, Hampshire
Cost: Adults £12, Children £5
More info: www.cakebakefood.com
Burnham-on-Sea Food & Drink Festival
What: Bake off and brew off, over 90 traders, plus competitions and demos.
When: 23rd May
Where: Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset
Cost: Free
More info: www.burnhamonseafoodfestival.org.uk
St Ives Food and Drink Festival
What: Celebrity chef demos, local food, producers' market, set by the sea.
When: 16th-17th May
Where: Porthminster Beach, St Ives
Cost: £2, under 12s go free.
More info: www.stivesfoodanddrinkfestival.co.uk
Wales
Really Wild Food & Countryside Festival
What: Eating, cooking, and learning about the countryside.
When: 23rd-24th May
Where: St Davids, Pembrokeshire
Cost: Free
More info: www.reallywildfestival.co.uk
Scotland
Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival
What: Lots of whisky events through the region of Speyside
When: 30th April-4th May
Where: Speyside region, Scotland
Cost: Depends which events you attend
More info: www.spiritofspeyside.com
Create:Eat:Whisky
What: Multi-sensory whisky tasting experience served alongside locally sourced food.
When: 14th-17th May
Where: Gayfield Creative Spaces, Edinburgh
Cost: TBA
More info: www.eventscotland.org
Loch Fyne Food Fair
What: Food tent, seafood stands, wine bar and ales, plus entertainment and fair-goers can try their hand at making bread, cake decorating and other activities under the guidance of local experts.
When: 16th May-17th May
Where: Fields next to Loch Fyne Oyster Bar, Cairndow
Cost: Free
More info: www.lochfyne.com/.../loch-fyne-food-fair/
Wigtown & Bladnoch Food Festival
What: Showcasing a variety of skilled food producers from Scotland and the North of England.
When: 23rd-24th May
Where: Wigtown County Buildings, Wigtown
Cost: Free entry, but you have to pay to attend the cooking demos or cheese and ale tastings.
More info: www.wigtownandbladnochfoodfest.uk
Northern Ireland
Armagh Apple Blossom Fair
What: Food and crafft stalls, guided orchard tours, cookery demos, live music and barbecued food, plus family fun and more.
When: 4th May
Where: Loughgall, Armagh, Northern Ireland
Cost: £4, under 4s go free
More info: www.armagh.co.uk
Got any more food festivals to tell us about? Share information in the Comments below.
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