Food Festivals and Farmers Markets in Cheshire

The UK is becoming a hotbed of good food, well served by farmer’s markets where people with a real passion for fresh, organic produce sell some fabulous treats to discerning customers. If you’re spending time in Cheshire on a luxury cottage break, it’s time to start exploring what the county has to offer, so you can stock up your cupboards with some delicious local fare during your stay. Here are the best food festivals and farmers markets in Cheshire.

Getting the Season Off to a Flying Start

The food and drink festivals of Cheshire get off to a flying start at Easter, when the Chester Racecourse is home to the Chester Food and Drink Festival. This hugely popular event attracts around 30,000 visitors from all over the country, and is the showcase event for the county’s producers. From wines and beers, jams and chutneys to bison cheese, hand-made sausages and a huge variety of fresh vegetables, everything you can imagine is on display. Celebrity chef demonstrations show you how to make the most of your ingredients, and there’s a good selection of stands selling those essential chocolate Easter Eggs too.

Nantwich Food and Drink Festival

At the opposite end of the year Nantwich holds its own festival, making the most of fresh autumn produce and some particularly potent homemade wines. Autumn is a great time for food festivals in Cheshire, with the Chester Food Festival in September. Real foodies should definitely head to the North West Food Lovers Festival at Tatton Park in October, which is home to over 140 speciality stalls and traders.

Summer Treats

During the summer it’s time to head to the north of the region for the Wirral Food Festival, which is a great family event. Then there’s the Bolesworth International festival in June, with a much more diverse range of taste sensations, and a selection of other festivals that incorporate good food and drink as part of the events.

Farmer’s Markets

Throughout the year, dozens of farmer’s markets up and down the county are held almost every weekend, bringing together the best producers in the county. These are great opportunities to stock up on those essentials – check out your nearest town or village to find out if there’s one near your cottage. Alternatively, you can download a list of local farmer’s markets before you set off so that you can plan your grocery shopping trips when you arrive.

Something a Little Different…

Finally, why not check out the wonderful Macclesfield Treacle Market, held every month in Macclesfield and offering a massive selection of over 130 stalls? And yes, there is some home-made treacle toffee on sale…