The UK’s best food festivals this summer

What’s not to love about a food festival, especially in summer? A region’s finest ingredients and culinary inventions to tuck into (often for free), famous chefs giving forth, funfairs, street food, music, masterclasses and much more. Plus, it’s the perfect opportunity to explore an area of the UK with which you’re unfamiliar. Why not turn a food festival into a mini-break – be it romantic, family-friendly or with a group of friends – and stay somewhere really special, whether it’s in the middle of nowhere or in a village or by the sea? We’ve picked five of our favourite food festivals and paired each one with a suggested place to stay, bookable through self-catering specialist holidaycottages.co.uk:

Yorkshire: Mary Berry and BBQs on the riverbank

Yorkshire Dales Food & Drink Festival (near Skipton), 20 – 21 July
So successful was this festival last year – attracting 12,000 people – that it’s back this summer, with live celebrity demos by the Hairy Bikers, Brian Turner, Mary Berry and Lisa Faulkner. As well as fascinating workshops and masterclasses, there’s a vintage funfair, a cocktail hub, crafting demonstrations and some exceptionally good street food. Stay at Elbeck Barn (sleeps five), an historic yet homely abode on the banks of the River Skirfare, situated within the very heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Use the old stone BBQ to make the most of riverside dining during the summer evenings. Arriving Friday 19 July, a three-night stay costs £207 pp (£1,035 total).

Isle of Wight: Bulb celebration and garlic beer

Garlic Festival (near Newchurch), 17 – 18 August
Garlic bread and garlic mushrooms are old school. But have you ever tried garlic ice cream, garlic scones or a garlic Bloody Mary? Here’s your chance. Situated in the glorious, rolling hills at the heart of the Isle of Wight, this is one of the world’s largest celebrations of the piquant bulb. There’s also live music, great entertainment, arts and craft stalls, a funfair, talented animals, cookery demonstrations from the best island chefs, and a great big beer tent. Stay at Two Dores Hill Cottage (sleeps two), a 200-year-old cottage with views to the Solent and a summer house (with garden furniture) surrounded by immaculate lawns. Arriving Friday 16 August, a three-night stay costs £385 pp (£770 total).

Cotswolds: Prue Leith and Peppa Pig

The Big Feastival (Chipping Norton), 23 – 25 August
Taking place over the August Bank Holiday weekend, on a farm in Chipping Norton, this is a three-day, family-friendly celebration of food and music. Ex-supermodel and ‘Celebrity MasterChef’ winner Jodie Kidd and Prue Leith, amongst many other big names in cooking, will be sharing recipes and tips, and Jess Glynne will be singing her heart out. Children won’t know where to begin with Peppa Pig and Paw Patrol stars on the loose, plus cooking workshops, a funfair, a silent disco and circus school. Stay at Stow on the Wold – The Coach House (sleeps four), a charming cottage tucked away within walking distance of this vibrant town’s market square. Arriving Friday 23 August, a three-night stay costs £270 pp (£1,078 total). One dog welcome (£20 supplement for the stay).

Dorset: Mark Hix and South West wonder

Food Rocks (Lyme Regis), 7 – 8 September
Founded by chef extraordinaire Mark Hix to celebrate the region’s fantastic produce, this event also raises much-needed funds for the RNLI. The two-day food extravaganza, curated by Mark himself, brings together the best of Dorset’s food and drink, celebrated chefs and local producers from the surrounding regions. Both days will see a programme packed with chef demonstrations, a Crab & Mackerel Supper Club, and a raffle of superb prizes from all the producers and chefs. Stay less than two miles away at Higher Holcombe Farm (sleeps six), located in a beautiful valley on the border of East Devon and West Dorset, close to Somerset and to the Jurassic Coast. Arriving Friday 6 August, a three-night stay costs £140 pp (£837 total). Two dogs welcome (£20 supplement each for the stay).

Wales: José Pizarro and stargazing from bed

Abergavenny Food Festival, 21 – 22 September
​Launched 20 years ago, this event now attracts over 30,000 visitors and prides itself on pushing the boundaries of foodie thinking. An outstanding programme of activities includes product tastings, masterclasses, hands-on cookery lessons and topical debates. Superstar Spanish chef José Pizarro will be there, following the launch of his new book, ‘Andalusia: Recipes from Seville and beyond’ (available from 30 May). Eke out the end of the summer and stay close by at Stargazing Carriage (sleeps two), a beautifully restored Victorian railway carriage with a glazed roof for bedtime Brecon Beacons stargazing, and a hammock for two within its orchard. Arriving Friday 20 September, a three-night stay costs £290 pp (£580 total). One dog welcome (£20 supplement for the stay).

For further information or to book any of these properties, please call holidaycottages.co.uk on 01237 459888 or visit www.holidaycottages.co.uk.

Note to Editors:

Holidaycottages.co.uk has offered a diverse collection of holiday homes for 30 years. Spanning England, Scotland and Wales, all properties have been personally inspected to meet the company’s high quality standards.

Renowned for its personal service and for being on hand to help its customers seven days a week, holidaycottages.co.uk is dedicated to ensuring that every guest has the very best experience.

Whether you are looking for a contemporary city-centre base in Edinburgh, a quirky cabin in the Welsh mountains, a converted World War II water tower in Norfolk, a former fire truck in the Lake District, or a cosy beach house in Cornwall for the whole family – including the dog – you are sure to find it at holidaycottages.co.uk.

Holidaycotttages.co.uk is part of the Travel Chapter, the market leader for self-catering holidays in the UK that also encompasses brands such as Big Domain (large houses and group accommodation) and Canine Cottages (dog-friendly properties across the UK).

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