South West food and drink festivals: summer 2021

Fill your diary with delicious events this summer with our roundup of South West food and drink festivals

June

Take a dive in to the world of craft beer at Bristol Craft Beer Festival from June 11-12. Discover fresh hoppy finds from a line-up of over 30 artisan breweries and tuck in to street food from local traders at the harbourside event.

The Alverton’s Summer Garden Sessions return to Truro from June 17 for more memorable moments alfresco. The regular events are a fab opportunity to bask in the natural beauty of the hotel’s verdant gardens, indulge in seasonal dishes and listen to live music.

Tom Kerridge’s Pub in the Park returns to Bath’s Royal Victoria Park from June 18-20. The park party will be a feelgood combination of live tunes (the music line-up includes Tom Walker and Sophie Ellis-Bextor) and incredible edibles from pop-up pubs including The Pony & Trap and The Mariners Public House by Paul Ainsworth.

Treat Dad to the holy trinity of surf, barbecue and craft beer at this year’s Father’s Day Festival at Lusty Glaze Beach in Newquay on June 20. The family-friendly event is free to attend and will include live music and wellbeing sessions.

Chef demos, wine tastings and cheese masterclasses collide at the 12th annual Cheltenham Food and Drink Festival. From June 25-27 foodies can enjoy a weekend of top-notch eating, drinking and heaps of live entertainment in Cheltenham’s Montpellier Gardens.

July

Devon County Show returns to Exeter from July 2-4 for its 125^th show. Browse independent makers’ stalls, feast on South West produce and fill your day with entertainment from the packed-to-bursting show programme.

Chow down on fresh produce from a plethora of talented local traders at Bath Food Festival from July 16-18. The culinary weekend will take place at Bath Recreation Ground and feature food and drink stalls and family-friendly entertainment as well as demos, talks and tastings.

Make sure Rock Oyster Festival is on your summer hit list. From July 30-August 1 festival-goers will congregate on the banks of the Camel Estuary for the food and music fest hosted by Michelin-starred chef Paul Ainsworth and friends.

Gastronauts will flock to The Pearl Stage for the chef demos where industry figures including Michael Caines MBE, Josh Eggleton, Guy Owen, Romy Gill MBE and Jude Kereama will be cooking up a storm. There’ll also be the Chef Tipi where a handful of chefs will be joining Paul Ainsworth to turn their signature restaurant dishes into tasting plates for visitors to tuck in to. Foodie thrills continue at Mussel Beach where there’ll be open-fire feasts and a selection of street food stalls. Live beats will be provided by a range of artists including Dub Pistols and Nick Mulvey.

Valley Fest returns for three days of feasting and live music on the banks of Chew Valley Lake near Bristol from July 30-August 1. Ticket holders can look forward to chef demos, live tunes from headliners Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Deacon Blue, and plenty of incredible edibles from local makers.

August

Fan of flicks and feasts? The Film & Food Fest parks up in Bristol this summer from August 5-8 for four days of open-air movie watching, local street food and live comedy on Clifton Downs.

A bounty of artisanal treats will be available at the Bude Food Festival on August 22. Swing by The Castle to gorge on hot dishes from street food stalls and pack a tote bag to stuff with craft tipples and edible goodies to enjoy at home.

Tickets for The Great Estate fest are running dangerously low, so if you want to book the family-friendly fest you better be quick if you want to avoid serious FOMO. The diverse music, comedy, theatre and art event takes place at Scorrier House in Redruth from August 27-29 and visitors can look forward to all sorts of lively shenanigans amid an abundance of food and drink.

September

Join the crustacean celebrations at Clovelly’s Lobster and Crab Feast on September 5. The historic north Devon village will be bustling with quayside kitchens, live music and cookery demonstrations.

Make tracks to Healeys Cornish Cyder Farm in Pernhallow for the Little Orchard Cider & Music Festival from September 10-12. Sample delicious ciders at tasting sessions, tuck in to delish street food and join the festival merriment going down at the silent disco and music stages.

Get stuck in to all things plant based at the Plymouth Vegan Festival on September 11. Browse stalls ranging from chocolate to clothing and check out talks and workshops.

Nyetimber Dorset Seafood Festival returns to Weymouth from September 11-12. Expect fabulous seafood, palate-pleasing wines and plenty of entertainment.

Soak up the feelgood foodie vibes at the Ottery St Mary Food & Families Festival on September 11. The whole family can enjoy a day out at this fest which shines a light on regional provenance and local entertainers.

Have a good ol’ knees up at this year’s Abbfest in Newton Abbot which celebrates food, music and beer, while also raising money for local charities and organisations. From September 16-19 attendees can browse food and craft stalls, taste locally-produced tipples and listen to live tunes.

Beach bums and gourmands will love St Ives Food and Drink Festival which takes place on Porthminster Beach from September 17-19. It’ll be street food and fresh produce galore at the fest which puts local food provenance at the heart of the action. In addition to workshops and live music, there’ll be an Asado Fire Pit where seasoned chefs will cook over fire in sizzling demonstrations.

The Great Bath Feast, taking place from September 24-26, will be a must-visit for new food experiences and insightful discussions. The line-up of chef demos includes appearances from Richard Bertinet, Ping Coombes, Chris Cleghorn and Richard Buckley.

Enjoyed our roundup of South West food and drink festivals? Discover more of the region’s new foodie events, openings and experiences here.