The summer music festival season may have come to an end, but the good news for festival lovers is that food festivals in the Cotswolds are still in full swing. Whilst the Cotswolds is generally known for its great dining experiences, there are also some great food festivals to enjoy. There are some great Cotswold foody events still to come in 2016 and some returning favourites to look forward to in 2017, including great events that all the family can enjoy.
Food Festivals in the Cotswolds 2016
The Great Bath Feast 1st 9th October
What better time to visit the glorious city of Bath than in October for the Great Bath Feast? A beautiful autumn scene forms the backdrop for this much-loved festival, which attracts people from all over. With a big focus on local produce and suppliers, theres plenty to take in during this week of events. Gastro pubs, wine, celebrity chefs, champagne bars and more provide plenty of things to see and do for all palates. 2016 also sees the addition of the Bath Bites Food & Drink Fair, with a great selection of vendors serving up tasty treats throughout the week - a great choice for those of you looking to experience one of the best food festivals in the Cotswolds.
Where to stay: Why not pair your visit to Bath with a stay in Tetbury? The 50 minute drive takes you ona lovely route of theCotswolds, and is a great way to take in some stunning views of the countryside. New Church Cottage is a beautiful bijou Georgian townhouse, sleeping 4 and providing a welcome retreat after a day of exploring.
Tewkesbury Fine Food & Arts Street Market 22nd October
For one Saturday in October, Tewkesbury High Street closes to cars and other vehicles to make way for this delectable street market. An array of food and craft stalls selling plenty of local produce and other products from the local area makes for a great day out in this historic market town. It's a great event which brings together locals and visitors from further afield, and is a great opportunity to sample a taste of the Cotswolds.
Where to stay: Elgin is located in Gretton Fields near Winchcombe, approximately a 15 minute drive to Tewkesbury. It's a stylish barn conversion which sleeps 4 and has some beautiful views to make for a relaxing weekend.
The Cotswolds Food & Drink Fayre 22nd- 23rd October
Taking place at Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railways Toddington Station, this is one of the most popular food festivals in the Cotswolds, providing plenty of delicious goods to sample. It's also a great opportunity to make a start on your Christmas shopping, as well as watch demonstrations from some of the Cotswolds most famous celebrity chefs. Theres plenty to take in and take home, including plenty of locally produced food such as cheese, chutneys, jams, etc to fresh fruit, veg and a selection of specialist foods. You can beat the queues on the day by making sure you book your tickets in advance.
Where to stay: Top Cottage is a classic Broadway cottage which is just a short drive from the Food & Drink Fayre. Sleeping 4, it has charming features that make for an enjoyable escape for families or small groups.
Food Festivals in the Cotswolds 2017
The Cheltenham Food and Drink Festival - 9th 11th June 2017
The Cheltenham Food and Drink Festival is a great place to enjoy top food and drink and generally have a good time. There are plenty of activities to take part in including wine tasting, food tasting, demonstrations and masterclasses as well as some appearances from top chefs, including Mr Masterchef himself, Greg Wallace. With live music, activities for children as well as plenty more to be confirmed, next years festival looks set to be the best yet.
Where to stay: Why not stay at Watery Park Barn and enjoy the sights of Chipping Campden? A great base for exploring much of the Cotswolds, it sleeps 14 to make a great home from home for groups and families. About an hour's drive from Cheltenham, there's plenty of things to see and do in-between for a packed Cotswolds getaway.
Gloucester Quays Food Festival TBC (July 2017)
The Gloucester Quays Food Festival is a great foody event which takes place every July, attracting over 120 stalls. It's also one of the better food festivals in the Cotswolds for large groups and families as entry is free. In 2016, there were appearances from Levi Roots, Saturday Kitchens Tom Kerridge and last years Great British Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain. There are many different elements to the festival, including the market area, live music, demonstrations and some great free cooking lessons for children. Whilst dates for next year are still being confirmed, keep an eye on the website for announcements coming soon.
Where to stay: If you want to enjoy countryside views and ambience, a stay at Park Cottage in Minchinhampton is a great location for up to 4 people. It's within driving distance to Gloucester, and allows you to explore some of the other Cotswolds towns and villages during your visit.
The Blenheim Palace Food Festival TBC (Spring Bank Holiday 2017)
Forming part of the Fantastic British Food Festivals season, the Blenheim Palace Food Festival is one of the biggest food festivals in the Cotswolds. An annual event that attracts all kinds of food and drink lovers, It has even made it on to the list of top 10 food festivals in the world! The 2016 festival attracted a staggering 22,000 visitors and with more than 120 different food and drink producers offering all sorts of culinary delights, its easy to see why. Whatever your preference be it champagne and truffles or funky street food, theres something to suit everyone. Theres also a great selection of demonstrations, classes and food talks to enjoy, as well as music and entertainment to add to the festival atmosphere. Details for 2017 are still TBC but you can be assured after a great year this year, next years will be even better.
Where to Stay: Gardener's Cottage in Shipton-under-Wychwood is a great cottage for exploring Blenheim Palace and other nearby sights. It sleeps 6 and has some gorgeous features to make you feel right at home.
Foodies Festival, Oxford TBC
The Foodies Festivals are a season of festivals which take place in various locations across the UK, and each summer the festival pops up in Oxford, attracting well-known chefs, the Cake and Bake Theatre, the Chefs Theatre and more to provide an exciting weekend of food and food-related fun. Ideal for children and families, theres plenty to see and do, and is a must if youre planning on visiting Oxford over the summer months.
Where to stay: Snipe Barn in Chimney, near Bampton is a large barn conversion which sleeps 12. Offering plenty of space and modern facilities, it's an excellent choice for a getaway to the Oxfordshire Cotswolds.
The Big Feastival (25th-27th August 2017)
The Big Feastival is run by none other than Jamie Oliver and Alex James, with the festival taking place at James Cotswolds farm. Described as a feel good festival of food and music for all the family, there is plenty to see and do as well as a great musical line up to enjoy. Whether you go for the whole weekend or just for the day, youll have a memorable time sampling some delicious foods. The musical line up is always worth paying attention to, with a number of current and classic artists taking to the stage to make for an unforgettable food festival in the Cotswolds.
Where to stay: We have a number of properties in nearby Kingham and if you're looking for a great cosy cottage for 4 people, then Little Garth has just what you need to enjoy a rest after a busy day at the festival.
Dont forget that the 17th of September marks the start of British Food Fortnight. So if you love Bake Off and dining out, celebrate British Food Fortnight by indulging in some great British dishes. Its also Organic September and as we're right in the middle of harvest season, it's the perfect time to try some organic produce, grown right her in the Cotswolds. As well as all the food festivals in the Cotswolds, there are also plenty of other great Cotswolds food experiences to enjoy near our properties. Why not take a look at some of our recommendations for dining out and book a stay at a Jigsaw Holiday cottage?