Planning your foodie trips for the coming year? If you’re a food lover visiting the area, it’s always worth finding out what delicious food and drink events there are on our doorstep in Monmouthshire and the surrounding counties.
In fact, there are many mouthwatering reasons to visit us during 2024!
- The biggest food festival in the area by far is the Abergavenny Food Festival held in September. This year, the event will be held on September 21st and 22nd. Tens of thousands of people come from across the UK and abroad to visit its more than 150 producer stalls from across Wales, the Marches, and beyond. There are also chef demonstrations, talks, and special events like foraging walks. The event celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2023. Last year, Simon created special dishes from ingredients foraged on the morning of his chef demonstration. Renowned chefs who have been featured in the festival include Angela Hartnett, Cyrus Todiwala, Andi Oliver, Valentine Warner, and Raymond Blanc. Alongside the main event in September, the festival also runs a day-long pre-Christmas food fair in December.
- The Forest Showcase Food Festival will be held on October 4th in Speech House, Coleford. It brings together independent food producers from all over the Forest of Dean. The event has been run since 2000 and includes talks, tastings, live music, cooking by the fire, and cooking classes for children. There are also demonstrations in the cookery theatre with expert tips from chefs.
- Newport Food Festival is a weekend-long free event in October. The city’s streets are lined with food producer and street food stalls alongside chef demonstrations, live music, street entertainment, and workshops. There is also a pre-festival supper which is ticketed. The event has attracted top-flight Welsh chefs like Bryn Williams and James Sommerin.
- The Welsh Perry and Cider Festival is a four-day event held at Caldicot Castle in May. It showcases delicious and refreshing craft ciders and perries from Wales and beyond. There’s also live music and family entertainment and the chance to explore the castle’s medieval towers and 55-acre country park. The event attracts 3000 people.
- In Caerphilly, the Big Cheese is a free weekend-long festival that takes place in the town centre in September. It has many food and drink stalls, music workshops, live music, craft sessions and funfair rides.
- Hereford Food Festival takes place in September. It attracts thousands of over its two days. There are dozens of stalls in the farmer’s market and a lively street food area with foods from around the world. There’s also live music and drink stalls from local and national breweries and distilleries.
If you’re coming to this area in 2024 and need somewhere as a base, take a look at our AA five-star rated rooms.
