Frequently Asked Questions

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)

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.

• Shaftesbury town centre (High Street & Park Walk): SP7 8LY
• Park & Ride (Port Regis School): SP7 9QA

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 Food Trail (Saturday 2nd May) is a new, free, self-guided experience taking visitors beyond the town into the Dorset landscape.

It offers behind-the-scenes access to producers, including tastings, tours and conversations with makers.

Participating locations feature: Sorelle Dorset, Compton McRae, Madjeston Milk Station & Animal Park, Primrose Organic Produce, Gold Hill Organic Farm, Cann Mills (Stoate & Sons), Sprigs Co at Pythouse Kitchen Garden, Dorset Blue Vinny, Olives Et Al, and Breezy Ridge Vineyard.

Sunday features a full programme of headline events, including:

• Gold Hill Cheese Race
• MasterChefs LIVE Demos
• 100+ trader Street Market
• Live music and entertainment
• Traditional Byzantine Walk
• Food-inspired art exhibition: A Feast For The Eyes
• Family activities and trails: Ingredient’s Hunt & Children’s Art Competition

One of the festival’s most iconic features. Competitors race up the steep cobbles of Gold Hill carrying a 23kg wheel of cheese, cheered on by crowds lining the route. It’s fast, funny, and very Dorset!

Entry is FREE but must be booked via Eventbrite.

Yes. The cookery demonstrations are:

• By donation
• Ticketed via Eventbrite

…featuring live demonstrations and tastings from leading MasterChefs:

• Ping Coombes (11:30am)
• Anurag Aggarwal (1:00pm)
• Shelina Permalloo (2:30pm)

A large open-air market featuring 100+ traders across High Street and Park Walk.

Expect:

• Dorset artisan producers
• Independent makers
• Global street food
• Sweet and savoury specialities

…and a strong focus on provenance, craft and quality.

Yes. Live music and buskers run throughout the day, creating a relaxed and lively festival atmosphere across the town.

A traditional heritage procession departing from the Town Hall at 2:00pm, travelling through the town centre to the natural spring in Enmore Green.

It adds a distinctive cultural and historical thread to the day.

Yes, the festival is very family-focused. FREE activities include:

• Ingredients Hunt across local independent shops
• Children’s art competition at The Grosvenor Arms

Both are designed to be fun, interactive and exploratory.

Yes. A Feast For The Eyes is a FREE food-inspired exhibition at Shaftesbury Arts Centre.

It explores food as culture, craft and connection, featuring multiple contemporary artists and supported by The Kitchen Table Dorset.

A dedicated Park & Ride service operates from Port Regis School (SP7 9QA), running every 30 minutes. Bookable by Eventbrite. It is the easiest way to access the town during the event.

Yes. Parking is available via the Park & Ride system.

• £5 per car (advance booking recommended via Eventbrite)
• Capacity for up to 600 vehicles
• Regular shuttle service into town, every half hour

Well-behaved dogs are welcome, particularly in outdoor areas. Please be mindful of crowds and hot surfaces when planning your visit.

Dogs are also permitted on the Park & Ride minibuses, at the driver’s discretion.

All Sunday activities conclude at approximately 5pm.

Some elements are FREE but require booking, including:

• Gold Hill Cheese Race entry
• Your place in the audience for the MasterChefs LIVE demos (tickets by donation)
• Park & Ride parking

Booking in advance is via Eventbrite.

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.

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.

The festival runs in all weather conditions. Many activities are outdoors, so we recommend dressing appropriately for the British spring weather and checking the forecast in advance.

Yes. The Street Market features over 100 traders, and applications are typically managed in advance through the festival team: shaftesbury-food-festival.co.uk/trade-stands.

Yes. The Food Trail is a relaxed, exploratory experience that works beautifully for families, with farm visits, tastings and hands-on encounters with producers. As many locations are working farms, visitors are asked to take sensible care and follow on-site guidance at all times.