Food & Drink Festival returns, celebrating 30 years of British & Irish Cheese Awards

With the Bath & West Food & Drink Festival coming back to The Bath & West Showground in Shepton Mallet on 21–22 March, organisers have announced an exciting programme for 2026 that includes the 30th anniversary edition of the British & Irish Cheese Awards.

Featuring talks, markets, demos, tours and more, the third instalment of the Food & Drink Festival will once again be staged around the British & Irish Cheese Awards judging arena, giving visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in a display of hundreds of diverse entries. Following huge demand in 2025, the Festival will also feature an expanded timetable of Guided Cheese Tours presented by this year’s judges, who will each guide cheese lovers around the main hall and introduce them to different styles of cheese from across the British Isles.

Cheese stands will surround the judging arena, offering ticketholders the chance to chat to and buy from some the country’s most respected cheesemakers. More food & drink stands will be located throughout the Festival, including an Artisan Farmers Market, showcasing the region’s best in beer, wine, cider, bread, jam, chocolate and much more. While on the Farmhouse Kitchen Stage, sponsored by Lactalis, there will be a full programme of talks, demonstrations and masterclasses – set to be revealed soon.

The popular Kids Zone will be back for 2026, with a choice of creative crafts themed around food and farming, as well as The Fun Kitchen, where free workshops will teach cooking skills to little chefs. The Bath & West Steam Railway will be running all weekend too, making sure there’s plenty for the whole family to enjoy.

The Bath & West Food & Drink Festival will take place at The Bath & West Showground near Shepton Mallet, Somerset from 21-22 March 2025. Tickets are available to purchase from www.bathandwest.com/food-and-drink-festival.

21 January 2026