July / August foodie diary

The latest South West foodie news and events for your calendar

Ace afternoon tea

Fans of both tennis and afternoon tea will want to swing by Boringdon Hall near Plymouth this summer. From July 1-16, the historic hotel will put a Wimbledon spin on its acclaimed afternoon tea in honour of the annual tennis tournament.

Blank canvas for Broomhill

Broomhill Estate in north Devon will reopen its new-look restaurant, Canvas, on July 14. Visitors to the boutique art hotel can expect an immersive dining experience, care of head chef Elio Debae, and choose from three-course and signature tasting-menu options.

Somerset trailblazers

The Somerset Food Trail returns on July 14-30 to shine a light on the county’s small-scale artisan producers. From biodynamic vineyards and apple orchards to cheese dairies and bakeries, a plethora of venues will host immersive food and drink experiences. Check the website for the full list of participating venues (190 and counting) and planned events.

Dim sum demo

Want to know how to make dim sum at home? Book a spot at Bristol’s Cooking It on July 18 and learn to craft all kinds of delicious dim sum, including steamed, fried, meaty and veggie varieties. The cookery school is BYOB, so attendees are welcome to take a bevvie or two to enjoy during the class. Course £70.

Beats and bivalves

Rock Oyster Festival returns to the banks of the Camel Estuary in Cornwall on July 27-30 with a cracking bill of chefs, live music and activities. Hugh Fearnley- Whittingstall, Mark Hix, Emily Scott and Andi Oliver are on the chef line-up, plus there’ll be funky tunes from headliners Groove Armada, Nile Rodgers & Chic and Sophie Ellis-Bextor. Weekend tickets from £135.

Family-friendly fest

For a summer’s day out the whole family can enjoy, head to Weymouth Food & Family Festival at Lodmoor Country Park on July 29-30. Highlights include cookery demos, food and drink stalls, and a chilli-eating challenge. Tickets from £3.50.

Chow down at Chew

Chew Valley Lake will become party HQ on August 3-5 when Valley Fest draws crowds of food and music lovers to the scenic spot near Bristol and Bath. Join the fun and get down to beats from Soul II Soul, The Kooks and Bananarama, and tuck into festival fodder at feasts hosted by local chefs such as Josh Eggleton and Peter Sanchez-Iglesias. Tickets from £60.

B-ready

Get your breadmaking skills up to scratch in time for Sourdough September by joining Coombeshead Farm‘s masterclass on August 5. At the guesthouse and farm in Launceston, attendees will be guided through the entire process from maintaining a sourdough starter to proving, shaping and baking a loaf. Course, including lunch, £130.

Smoking hot

For a special outdoor dining experience, don’t miss Daylesford Farm‘s Fire Pit Chef’s Table Supper on August 5. Guests can relax with drinks and nibbles in the Gloucestershire market garden as the chefs cook supper over open fire. The meal, crafted from organic ingredients, will be matched with wines from the farm’s estate in Provence. Tickets £125.

Fizz Friday

Is there a better place to spend a balmy Friday evening than a beautiful vineyard in Dorset? On August 11, Langham Wine Estate will serve a feast of succulent Portland lobster with matched drops from the winery and sea shanties from The Dorset Wrecks. Tickets £50.

Be Bude not to

Make tracks to The Castle in Bude on August 13 with an empty tote and tum, ready to fill both at Bude Food Festival. Browse food stalls from regional producers such as Exmoor Tea Co, Riverford and Freda’s Peanut Butter, then hit up the vendors for freshly cooked street food and local tipples.

Party like it’s 1999

Music and food lovers alike will want to snap up tickets for Big Feastival, which takes place at Alex James’ Cotswolds farm on August 25-27. The Blur bassist will open his gates for a weekend of eating, dancing and revelry, and has invited chefs such as Simon Stallard, James Strawbridge and Nathan Outlaw to lead the party alongside artists Sigrid, Tom Grennan and Blossoms. Tickets from £93.50.

Fresh wine find

A luxury Wine Barn, complete with indoor/outdoor dining area and artisan farm shop and deli, is set to open in Stroud this summer. Specialist wine merchant Vinotopia Wine is behind the new food and drink destination in leafy Nailsworth, which will feature over 400 varieties of vino, craft spirits and beers. Plans are also afoot for tasting events and pop-up feasts.

Keen to stay up-to-date on what’s new and get the heads-up on the best places to eat, shop and stay in the South West? Want to support independent publishing and creativity in the region? You can do both at once when you take out a subscription to the printed edition of Food Magazine. Six gorgeous issues a year, delivered to your door for just £25. Subscribe here.