The foodie favourite that is the COWBRIDGE FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL is back with a bang again this year with a whole host of tasty treats to tempt festival goers across the end of May Bank Holiday Weekend (Sunday 26th & Monday 27th May).
As always, there is something to suit all diets, ages and interests – moreish meats, vegan varieties, curries, cheeses, chutneys; scrumptious ciders, great gins, sweet treats and so much more.
Alongside the regular favourites that festival goers love to see, we’re being promised plenty of new and exciting additions for this year.
The Drunken Sailors will be dropping anchor – converted from an old fishing boat, she is truly a one of a kind – serviced by a hearty crew and offering the very best draught beers and ciders on tap; hot vegan and vegetarian food and homemade kits will be available from Gloucester-based Slad Valley Mushrooms and coffee lovers will delight in a first appearance by Cowbridge’s own 96 degrees coffee shop.
Tetrim Teas Cymru will also be bringing a range of their nature-based teas to the festival for the first time and adding an exotic twist, the team from Welsh Saffron will be showcasing their unique product, all grown on the rolling lowland hills between Caerleon and Usk.
As well as the main festival site at the Arthur John Car Park, the Old Hall Gardens will be buzzing with lots of family-friendly activities to enjoy; willow weaving, pétanque, birds of prey and so much more.
In another fabulous festival first, the Vale Food Trail will be celebrating sustainability with a fun timetable of children’s activities and the Lemoneers will be adding extra festival fizz with their homemade lemonade!
The much-loved food demos are set to return, providing extra entertainment at the Duke of Wellington on High Street.
Due to its increased popularity, the main site will this year remain open until 6pm on Sunday 26th, allowing visitors even more time to sample, savour and soak up the festival vibe.
Speaking about this year’s event, Festival Manager Tracy James-Lieberman told us…..
“We’re gearing up for another great event this year – old favourites that we know are always a real hit but also plenty of new faces that we know our visitors are going to absolutely love.
There’ll be such a variety of amazing produce available to sample, buy and just generally enjoy; and so many other things going on to make it the perfect way to spend the Bank Holiday!
Just to add huge thank you to Arthur John & Co for allowing us to take over their car park and their continued support throughout the whole year, special thanks also to Macey Owen.
And of course to our lovely sponsors; Hensol Castle Distillery and Nathaniel Cars for their support; and all the volunteers who lend a hand to help make the event happen – Cowbridge Rotary, The Young Farmers and Cowbridge Moovers running Club – as well as all the local businesses who really embrace the festival vibe.”
The award winning Cowbridge Food and Drink Festival, sees the town at its most vibrant. It’s a weekend of culinary excellence and all round family entertainment. It’s been running since 2004 when it was set up as part of the Cowbridge Charter Trust’s 750 year celebrations, and boy has it flourished since then.
It’s grown from a one day event with 40 exhibitors and 4,000 visitors to a whole weekend attracting 150 applications for the 100+ exhibition stands and well over 10,000 visitors to the town. Along the way it’s picked up its fair share of awards, including the National Tourism Awards Wales: Best Community.
If you’ve never been through or to Cowbridge then maybe the festival is a great place to start. The bustling market town is right at the heart of the beautiful Vale of Glamorgan surrounded by stunning countryside and dramatic coastline. Just a short drive from Cardiff, it is a real contrast to the city with a variety of fantastic independent shops along the historic high street and in the delightful surrounding lanes. You can get everything from tasty and local foodie treats, the best in fashion, gifts and design, and of course, plenty of place to eat.
The COWBRIDGE FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL is definitely a date for your foodie diary. It runs over the Bank Holiday weekend, Sunday 26th, from 9:30am to 6pm and Monday 27th May between 9:30am and 5pm. For more details, go here – FESTIVAL.
Tickets:
- Day pass – £5
- Weekend pass – £8
- Children under 11 are free.
Tickets are available online in advance or on the day at the festival’s Arthur John Car Park site. you can book them HERE. Incidentally, there’s FREE park and ride from Forage Farm and Cowbridge Comprehensive School.
