Six of the best food festivals in the UK in Autumn 2023

The Gin and Rum Festival in Brighton celebrates the rich history and flavours of these beloved spirits. Make your way to Brighton Dome where a vast selection of more than 120 of the finest gins and rums will be available for the savouring, plus samples from guest distillers - many of which are exclusive to the Festival. The event features masterclasses and cocktail-making demonstrations, and you’ll want to gather your friends as this is very much a party date for your diary with award-winning DJs and live entertainment.

Where to stay: Ockenden Manor, a stunning Elizabethan manor house nestled in the West Sussex countryside. Here, you’ll enjoy five-star culinary experiences in the hotel’s fine dining restaurant which crafts mouth-watering dishes from locally sourced ingredients.

Newtown Food Festival in Wales is a delightful celebration of local Welsh delicacies and international cuisine with an abundance of food stalls dotted across the green spaces in the centre of Newtown. It’s a magical event for foodies with interactive workshops and cooking demonstrations by renowned chefs, who offer tips on creating delicious meals at home. There’s also a lively programme of music and entertainment and the friendly vibe makes this a great festival for families.

Where to stay:  Base yourself in Bala at the superlative Palé Hall. Situated on the edge of Snowdonia, here you’ll not only enjoy a deluxe hotel stay with breathtaking country views but also fine dining — including an eight-course tasting menu and a sumptuous afternoon tea.

The York Food and Drink Festival is an annual event celebrating the vibrant culinary scene of the historic city. It features a vast selection of food and drink from local traders, as well as international flavours with street food, markets with more than 100 stalls, and special dining experiences in various locations around York. Free cookery workshops, including lessons in making bread, pasta, and vegan dips, are held in the Museum Gardens and St Crux Hall, and chef demonstrations take place on St Sampson’s Square. And there’s music events in the lively Entertainments Marquee in Parliament Street, where you’ll also find a real ale bar.

Where to stay: Arguably the best hotel in York, Middlethorpe Hall & Spa is a sophisticated historic retreat that exudes old world charm. Foodies flock here for its award-winning cuisine, served in a beautiful wood-panelled dining room with views of lovely landscaped gardens and park land.

Seeking succulent seafood? England’s Seafood Festival in South Devon is the ultimate celebration of the UK's coastal bounty with events across Brixham, Paignton and Torquay — the stretch of coast known as ‘England’s Riviera.’ The festival highlights the region's seafood heritage, with a focus on sustainability and responsible fishing. Come and enjoy a wide variety of freshly-caught delights, prepared by talented chefs and served by local vendors. The entertainments and beautiful beachside locations make this a tempting escape for food lovers.

Where to stay: Thurlestone Hotel, a peach of a hotel in Thurlestone on the South Devon Coast. Here, you can feast on seafood with chilled white wine on the terrace while lapping up the sea views —as well as enjoy fine dining at The Trevilder, and hearty roast dinners at The Village Inn, the hotel's two celebrated restaurants.