If you’re exploring The Lake District this summer, why not add a fantastic Cumbrian food festival to your calendar? All the events in this guide are held in beautiful towns in and around the Lakes, providing the perfect opportunity to support local food suppliers and sample the artisan delights on offer. Each event is a chance to learn more about what’s available in the area, not far from our caravan holiday park near The Lake District. Celebrate Cumbria’s rich food heritage during the summer with this guide to food festivals in The Lake District.
Taste Cumbria Food Festival Whitehaven
Whitehaven is part of a series of Taste Cumbria food festivals in the Lake District and beyond. Other events on the Taste Cumbria calendar include Kirkby Lonsdale, Ulverston and Cockermouth. The Whitehaven Food Festival usually takes place in late July and continues to grow in popularity each year. Historically, Whitehaven was more well known as a port for foreign imported goods, but now the town is more widely recognised its in own right for locally produced food. This is a perfect opportunity to celebrate, sample and stock up on artisan produce from across Cumbria.
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Carlisle Foodies Fest
Carlisle Foodies Fest is an annual event held in July in the large pedestrianised area of Carlisle city centre. Not just a festival of local food and drink, International cuisine is also celebrated as part of the festival. Entry to the event is free except for the highly recommended chef demonstrations. The 2018 Carlisle Foodies Fest played host to the celebrity chef Jean-Christophe Novelli.
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Eden Food & Farming Festival (Penrith on a Plate)
The Eden Food & Farming Festival is a 7-day celebration in early August dedicated to all the food and drink produced in Eden Valley in Cumbria. The first day of the event is the ‘Penrith on a Plate’ Food Festival and Family Fun Day, a free day of fine foods and beverages which takes place in the town centre of the beautiful market town of Penrith. This firmly established annual event features so much more than just food throughout the week. Other activities include tours of the local National Trust beekeeping grounds, a Dairy Farm Tour, plus events in nearby Appleby and Brunswick provide music & entertainment.
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Holker Chilli Fest
In September, chilli lovers can come to together to attend The Holker Chilli Fest at Holker House. This 2-day event is a celebration of all-things chilli, with a chance to see cooking demonstrations and a not-to-be-missed chilli eating contest. The festival promises roughly 35 individual stalls each with a wide variety of chilli products on offer.
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Cockermouth Food Festival
Last but not least, Cockermouth Food Festival in late September boasts a sizeable market of 80 food producer stalls. The popular event attracts a large following, with around 40,000 people reported to have been in attendance at the event previously. A pop-up restaurant features demonstrations by top local chef’s and food and drink experts. Foodies visiting Cockermouth Food Festival can also enjoy a beer festival, comedy night, children’s activities and free town trails.
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