Five Brilliant British Festivals

This year I am travelling fields and festivals all over the UK, running cooking classes and doing talks, as well as attending a few for fun. I love being outside and I’m very excited to have my first summer as a party of three. I thought I’d share a bit about my favourite festivals here – some food focused, some full of talks, and some all about the joys of being outside.

Port Eliot 28th-31st July, Cornwall

This is going to be an absolutely magical weekend. It’s held in the exquisite gardens of Port Eliot house, and both the grounds and building are Grade I listed. I’ll be on the Flower and Fodder stage on the Friday, with the brilliant Rose Prince.

What the organisers say:

‘Whether you’re swimming in the estuary, picnicking under a 300 year old tree, rocking out at the Park Stage, canoeing on the river, catching an intimate gig in the church, watching a cooking demo in the Big Kitchen or dancing ‘till the wee hours in the Boogie Round – our home is yours for the weekend.’

Big Feastival 26th-28th August, The Cotswolds

A brilliant mixture of food and music – this annual festival takes place on Alex James’ idyllic farm and includes Tom Kerridge, Gizzie Erskine and Tomasina Myers, as well as Mark Ronson and The Proclaimers on the line-up.

What the organisers say:

‘A feel good festival of food and music for all the family.’

Festival No 6 1st-4th September, North Wales

A lot of festivals bill themselves as ‘like no other.’ This one looks like it delivers on its promise if only for the location: an Italianate village on the edge of cliffs in North Wales. Acres of woods and beaches, and some world-class acts. Not one to miss, and I’m looking forward to going as a visitor.

What the organisers say:

‘Spend the weekend discovering an award-winning eclectic mix of screenings, readings, performance art, installations, intimate talks and conversations and so much more. A festival which is a scene but not a herd, which inspires the artists as much as the audience, giving them the opportunity to present new work in unique intimate venues and allowing everyone the chance to put reality on hold for a few days.’

Aldeburgh Food Festival 24th-25th September, Suffolk

An annual fixture on my calendar, Aldeburgh festival is a place for real food-lovers. Looking forward to doing a demo of dishes from A Modern Way to Cook.

What the organisers say:

‘The Aldeburgh Food and Drink Festival was started in 2006 to celebrate and publicise the abundance of our local produce and also to help people reconnect with the countryside and the food it provides. One of the objectives of the festival is to demonstrate the strong connection between food and the market towns, the villages, the countryside, the rivers and the sea.’

The Good Life Experience, 16-18th September, North Wales

Started by musician and writer Cerys Matthews, record industry and arts consultant Steve Abbott and retailers, farmers and authors Charlie and Caroline Gladstone, this is pretty much what it says on the tin: a weekend return to the simpler pleasures of outdoor life.

What the organisers say:

‘There will be axe throwing, archery, tree climbing, leather-working, knot tying, bushcraft, proper barbers, great food and drink, dancing and loads more.’