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Food and Drink Festivals and Events

Anyone who has a love of local food and drink will enjoy a visit to one of The New Forest’s many food and drinks events. Sample local ales and wines, buy produce fresh from the farmer or hone your culinary skills at a cookery school or food festival.

Annual food and drink events

Each year, during the month of July, the Hampshire Food Fair takes place across the county, including many parts of The New Forest. Think food and drink talks, demonstrations, cookery workshops and more and you’ll get the picture of just some of things that take place. Look out for events taking place at some of our luxury hotels such as Montagu Arms and The Pig. Other New Forest venues have included in the past Ringwood Brewery, Lyburn Cheese Farm at Landford and The Mill at Gordleton.

The Milford Sea Food Week is a fantastic chance to sample some of the local seafood at Milford on Sea. It usually takes place during late spring.

Why not try some delicious local seafood that’s on offer at one of the many stalls at Lymington Seafood Festival? Not only is this event free to enter, but you will also be entertained by musicians, bands and other activities. Plus if you don’t fancy seafood, there are plenty of places to enjoy a tipple and meat eaters and vegetarians are also well catered for.

Nearby to the New Forest, along the coastline, the Christchurch Food & Wine Festival usually takes place in May. A popular event on the south coast, this festival often features celebrity chefs, cookery demonstrations and the ever-popular festival street market and village.

Regular and special markets

An ideal place to pick up the fresh produce you need for cooking up that perfect meal, regular markets take place in the following towns and villages in The New Forest:

Hythe
Lymington
New Milton
Ringwood

Ringwood is also home to regular farmers’ markets, where you can buy food and drink directly from the farmers and local producers.

Look out for themed markets which head to Hythe and Ringwood from time to time including the popular French markets. You will also find a large food market as part of the annual New Forest and Hampshire County Show in Brockenhurst.

Cookery Schools in The New Forest

If you are looking to hone your kitchen skills then why not make a visit to one of The New Forest’s cookery schools?

You’ll find regular courses run at both Lime Wood and Chewton Glen hotels in their dedicated cookery schools.

At Lime Wood, HH&Co Backstage offers courses for all levels of budding chef in an informal and creative environment.

Chewton Glen Hotel’s cookery school, The Kitchen, is set in a beautiful setting within the hotel’s grounds. Explore the greenhouse for fresh produce and enjoy learning in this stunning setting. Courses even include celebrity chef classes run by James Martin and friends.

Within Brockenhurst, the local higher education college, Brockenhurst College, runs the New Forest Cookery School with courses ranging from beginners to more advanced cookery and is open for those who reside in and nearby the forest, as well as visitors.

There is also The Granary Kitchen Cookery School near Lymington which is headed up by Christian Rivron.

Other food events in The New Forest

Look out for cookery demonstrations and special food nights at some of our New Forest hotels. Careys Manor Hotel in Brockenhurst, Balmer Lawn Hotel holds regular food and drink events - simply check the listings below for details.

If you have a sweet tooth then we’d highly recommend that you head to Burley Fudge Shop and taste their ‘Fudge of the Month’ flavour. Call in for a free taster of what’s on offer!

Also in Burley, you can find New Forest Cider - a popular stopping point for many a visitor to the village. For one weekend in October join in with the annual apple pressing event, for your chance to see how cider is made using the traditional ways.

Look out for other pop-up food events, food talks and much more. Keep an eye on our what’s on pages and listings below for details of any forthcoming events.

Organising a food event in the New Forest?

If you are organising a food or drink event that you’d like us to feature on our website, please submit details of it here.

Also, if you would like to be kept up to date with the events taking place in the New Forest every week then make sure you sign up to our Weekly What’s On Enewsletter!

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Number of results: 24

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Lymington Market

Location:

Lymington

Lively Saturday market fills Lymington High Street every Saturday with stalls selling plants, food produce, general household goods, craft items and bric-a-brac.

Dates

From:
28 May 2022
From:
4 June 2022
From:
11 June 2022
From:
18 June 2022
From:
25 June 2022

More Details
Burley Food & Drink Festival

Location:

Burley

Burley Festival 2022 Press Release.
Burley Food & Drink Festival Camping Weekender 2022
Well, Hello Campers!!!!
We are back and extremely excited to announce, not only to return to our beautiful field for the Burley Food & Drink Festival, but we…

Dates

From:
28 May 2022Open 10:00 - 22:00
From:
29 May 2022Open 10:00 - 18:00

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Hythe Market

Location:

Hythe

Fine produce, delicatessen, flowers, all manner of quality non-foods, gifts and much more. A shopping experience to delight you!

Dates

From:
31 May 2022
From:
7 June 2022
From:
14 June 2022
From:
21 June 2022

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Street Food in the Park - June, July and August 2022

Location:

Southampton

We have invited 3 foodie partners to cater in the park throughout June, July and August. Dates are yet to be confirmed however please keep an eye on social media for more information.
Firehut offer delicious Neapolitan pizza made with hand-made…

Venue

Lepe Country Park, Hampshire

Dates

From:

1 June 2022to31 Aug 2022Open 09:00 - 17:00

More Details
Ringwood Town Market

Location:

Ringwood

Ringwood market is held every Wednesday from 8 am until 3 pm.

Dates

From:
1 June 2022
From:
8 June 2022
From:
15 June 2022
From:
22 June 2022
From:
29 June 2022

More Details
New Milton Street Market

Location:

New Milton

The New Milton street market which is held every Wednesday in Station Road is managed and operated by New Milton Town Council.

Dates

From:
1 June 2022
From:
8 June 2022
From:
15 June 2022
From:
22 June 2022
From:
29 June 2022

More Details
Jubilee Weekend

Location:

Christchurch

Thursday - BBq and Pimms on the lawn with live music from Ashley Day at 7pm
Friday - Live music in the bar from 9pm with Katie Ward and a Very British Specials board
Saturday - Tipsy Afternoon Tea (booking required)
Sunday - Traditional Sunday…

Dates

From:

2 June 2022to5 June 2022Open 10:00 - 22:30

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Jubilee Bank Holiday

Location:

Brockenhurst

Celebrate this momentous occasion with us for an afternoon tea like no other. Combining a street party ambience and live music with the eloquence of a traditional afternoon tea.
Join us on Thursday 2nd June in the Lodge Kitchen and Bar to indulge in…

Dates

From:
2 June 2022Open 14:30 - 17:30

More Details
The Jubilee Local

Location:

Southampton

Introducing the Jubilee Local! Our individual Jubilee picnic boxes will be available for purchase at The Lookout during the bank holiday weekend. Consisting of a Jake's award-winning hand cut pork pie, Dorset cheddar cheese, homemade piccalilli,…

Venue

Lepe Country Park, Hampshire

Dates

From:

2 June 2022to5 June 2022Open 09:00 - 17:00

More Details
Queen's Jubilee Beacon Lighting Event

Location:

Southampton

Join us for a relaxed evening commemorating the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, culminating in the lighting of our beacon at 9.45pm.
The New Forest Brass Band will be providing musical entertainment from 8-9pm and The Lookout will be open until 10pm.
An…

Venue

Lepe Country Park, Hampshire

Dates

From:
2 June 2022Open 18:00 - 22:00

More Details
Platinum Jubilee Afternoon Tea

Location:

New Milton

An afternoon to do our Queen proud...
Join us to celebrate Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee, with a glass of English sparkling wine and live music. Rest assured come rain or shine, this will be a memorable occasion.
As you tuck in to delectably…

Dates

From:
3 June 2022Open 12:30 - 16:30

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Dogstival

Location:

Romsey

Dogstival, The Coolest Dog Show in town is back with a special Jubilee edition on the 4th & 5th June 2022 at a stunning new venue of Broadlands Park, Romsey! The ultimate day out for you and your dog the festival is jam packed with have a go…

Dates

From:
4 June 2022Open 09:30 - 17:30
From:
5 June 2022Open 09:30 - 17:30

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The Jubilee Lunch

Location:

Fawley, Southampton

On Sunday 5th June, why not join in the Jubilee Lunch with an afternoon tea box, entertainment and a licenced bar with views across the Solent.
Tickets are £7 per adult, £5 per child or £20 for a family of four.

Dates

From:
5 June 2022Open 12:00 - 15:00

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Picnic in the Park

Location:

Lymington

Picnic in the Park to celebrate the Queens Platinum Jubilee Event. Fun fair, bands, dog show, sports day, hot & cold food, community stall - FREE TO ATTEND & FREE CAR PARKING.

Dates

From:
5 June 2022Open 11:00 - 16:00

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LIVE AT LEPE - Fiona Bevan & Adam Beattie

Location:

Southampton

LIVE AT LEPE - Fiona Bevan & Adam Beattie
DOORS OPEN AT 6:45pm - MUSIC STARTS AT 7:45pm
Join us for an intimate night full of amazing live music at The Lookout, Lepe Beach.
If you've not been to a Sound Level Show before, we offer something…

Venue

Lepe Country Park, Hampshire

Dates

From:
10 June 2022Open 18:50 - 22:00

More Details
Highcliffe Food and Arts Festival

Location:

Christchurch

The Highcliffe Food and Arts Festival returns this year and takes place on Saturday, June 11, and Sunday, June 12. The event, which started in 2015, will once again be held throughout the village centre in Lymington Road and on the Recreation Ground…

Dates

From:
11 June 2022Open 10:00 - 17:00
From:
12 June 2022Open 10:00 - 16:00

More Details
'Pop Up' Green Market Place

Location:

Lymington

'Pop Up' Green Market Place of sustainable organisations including wildlife charities, Fairweathers Garden Centre, food ideas, electric cars & bikes, artisan upcyclers and more

Dates

From:
13 June 2022Open 10:00 - 12:00

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Waterside Veterans Coffee Club

Location:

Blackfield

Open to military veterans, serving personnel, their families and dependants. We meet every 3rd Saturday of the month at Fawley Royal British Legion for a cuppa, bacon bap and banter.

Dates

From:
18 June 2022Open 10:00 - 12:00
From:
16 July 2022Open 10:00 - 12:00
From:
20 Aug 2022Open 10:00 - 12:00
From:
17 Sept 2022Open 10:00 - 12:00
From:
15 Oct 2022Open 10:00 - 12:00
From:
19 Nov 2022Open 10:00 - 12:00
From:
17 Dec 2022Open 10:00 - 12:00

More Details
Happy Cooking with Candice Brown

Location:

New Milton

We are very excited to welcome the Sunday Times columnist, author and winner of The Great British Bake Off 2016, Candice Brown to The Kitchen Cookery school.
Learn how to cook some of her favourite recipes including Banoffee praline choux buns and…

Dates

From:
21 June 2022Open 09:30 - 12:00

More Details
Lymington Seafood Festival

Location:

Lymington

A fabulous family day out jam packed with delicious food, drink & shopping from the region's top local producers.
Full schedule of live music across the weekend including UK Queen tribute on Sat 16th July or why not relax and soak up the atmosphere…

Dates

From:
15 July 2022Open 11:00 - 20:30
From:
16 July 2022Open 11:00 - 20:30
From:
18 July 2022Open 11:00 - 18:00

More Details