About the Festival
Celebrating local food producers and regional Dorset cuisine in historic Shaftesbury.
A Celebration of Food, Place and Community
From the steep cobbles of Gold Hill to the lively sweep of the High Street and Park Walk, the Shaftesbury Food Festival transforms this historic hilltop town into a vibrant celebration of flavour, craft and community.
Taking place on the May Bank Holiday, Sunday 3rd May 2026, the festival brings together over 100 producers, makers and street food traders, showcasing the very best of Dorset alongside flavours from further afield. It is a place to taste, discover and connect, where local provenance meets global inspiration.
At its heart sits the iconic Gold Hill Cheese Race, a test of strength and spirit on one of England's most recognisable streets, alongside MasterChefs demonstrations curated by Great Taste Awards and The Kitchen Table, live entertainment and a full programme of activity that unfolds across the town.
Run entirely by volunteers from the Shaftesbury Chamber of Commerce and supported by Shaftesbury Town Council, the festival is a true community effort. It celebrates not just food and drink, but the independent spirit, creativity and character that define Shaftesbury, one of England's most iconic market towns.
Festival Highlights
Local Producers
A variety of local food and drink producers, beverage stalls, craft producers and more.
Community Run
Organised by volunteers from Shaftesbury Chamber of Commerce.
Town Council Supported
Proudly supported by Shaftesbury Town Council.
Historic Location
Set across the high street, Park Walk and surrounding areas.
A Message from the Organisers
“We are thrilled to invite you to the Shaftesbury Food Festival 2026. This event is a true celebration of our local food producers, our incredible community, and our beautiful town. Whether you're here to race a cheese up Gold Hill, sample the finest Dorset produce, or simply enjoy a fantastic day out — we can't wait to welcome you.”
— Shaftesbury Chamber of Commerce
Explore the Full Schedule
Check out our timetable of events, chef talks, races and entertainment.
About the Festival — FAQs
The essentials about who runs the festival, where it takes place and how it runs.
Shaftesbury Food Festival is delivered by a volunteer-led team from the Shaftesbury & District Chamber of Commerce, with support from Shaftesbury Town Council and The Kitchen Table Dorset.
On Sunday, the main festival is based across:
- Gold Hill
- Shaftesbury High Street
- Park Walk
- Town centre (SP7 8LY)
On Saturday, the Food Trail extends into the surrounding Dorset countryside, connecting farms, producers and makers.
The festival takes place over three days on the early May bank holiday weekend:
- Friday 1st May 2026 — The Great Food Quiz at Sorelle (SOLD OUT)
- Saturday 2nd May 2026 — The Food Trail (new for 2026)
- Sunday 3rd May 2026 — Main town festival day (10am–5pm)
Yes, the vast majority of the festival is FREE entry.
Some experiences are:
- Ticketed via Eventbrite (by donation or booking)
- Or require advance booking for capacity management: Park & Ride
The festival takes place across historic streets, including some steep and uneven areas such as the cobblestones of Gold Hill.
Accessibility support is considered across the site, but visitors with specific needs are encouraged to plan ahead or contact the organisers for advice before attending: hello@shaftesbury-food-festival.co.uk.
