Tickets have gone on sale for the Bath & West Food & Drink Festival, returning to the Bath & West Showground near Shepton Mallet on Saturday 21 March and Sunday 22 March 2026.

The two-day indoor event will showcase artisan producers from across the South West alongside demonstrations, tasting workshops and the British & Irish Cheese Awards, which organisers say will be a central attraction for visitors.

Judging for the cheese awards will take place on Friday 20 March 2026, although that day is not open to the public.

Visitors attending over the weekend will be able to browse food and drink stands, watch cooking demonstrations, attend tasting sessions and enjoy family activities across several pavilions at the showground.

Ticket prices and opening times

Advance tickets are currently available online.

Prices are:

• Adult advance ticket: £6
• Special offer: two tickets for £10
• On-the-gate price: £8 per adult
• Children aged 15 and under: free entry

Opening hours are:

• Saturday 21 March: 10am – 4pm
• Sunday 22 March: 10am – 4pm

Car parks open from 9.30am each day, with parking located in the Yellow Car Park via the Blue Gate on the A371.

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British & Irish Cheese Awards at the festival

The British & Irish Cheese Awards will be showcased during the festival weekend, with visitors able to see and taste cheeses recognised in the national competition.

A dedicated session will also give visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the judging process.

The discussion will feature:

• Julius Longman – chairman of the awards
• Simon O'Brien – Barber's Cheesemakers and awards committee member

The talk will be hosted by broadcaster and food writer Nigel Barden, who will also host sessions across the festival's demonstration stage.

Farmhouse Kitchen talks and live demos

The Farmhouse Kitchen Stage will host talks, tastings and cooking demonstrations throughout the weekend.

Sessions announced so far include:

• Andy Clarke – The Perfect Pour, sharing cocktail techniques using ingredients from festival exhibitors
• Big Nath's BBQ, cooking bavette steak with chocolate mole butter
• Eva Humphries – The Case for Cheese as a Superfood, exploring the nutritional benefits of British cheeses
• Barbers Cocoa, presenting a bean-to-bar chocolate talk with a hot chocolate tasting

Organisers say further guest appearances and sessions will be confirmed closer to the festival.

Cocktail masterclasses and spirit tastings

Visitors can also book additional tasting experiences during the festival.

Cider Cocktail Masterclasses, sponsored by Thatchers, will explore how Somerset cider can be used in cocktails, teaching participants how to mix cider-based drinks with a twist on classic recipes.

Meanwhile, Spirit Tasting Workshops hosted by Somerset Spirit Company will guide visitors through the aromas, flavours and distillation techniques behind a curated selection of spirits.

Both experiences cost £12 per session.

Family activities and kids zone

A Kids Zone will run throughout the weekend in the Sedgemoor Pavilion, offering activities aimed at younger visitors.

These include:

• Fun Kitchen cooking workshops for children
• Food and farming themed crafts
• Rides on the Bath & West Steam Railway

Organisers say there will be five free 45-minute workshops each day designed to teach children simple cooking skills.

Food stalls, shopping and live entertainment

Alongside demonstrations and tastings, visitors will be able to browse a wide range of artisan food and drink stalls from across the region.

Live entertainment is also planned during the event, including performances from solo vocalists and choirs such as the Somerset and Wiltshire Rock Choir.

Accessibility and visitor information

The festival will take place indoors across the Showering, Mendip and Sedgemoor Pavilions, which are located close together and are wheelchair accessible.

Disabled parking will be available at the front of the Yellow car park.

Because the event is indoors and food-focused, organisers say dogs are not recommended, except for assistance dogs.

Further details and ticket bookings are available via the festival website.

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