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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 the 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, Burley Manor, Balmer Lawn Hotel and The Bell Inn at Bramshaw all hold 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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Fudge Tasting

Burley

Fudge Tasting Event - Call in to Burley Fudge Shop today and try our free fudge tasters. Over 30 homemade flavours to choose from including fudges for many special diets, including gluten free, dairy free, vegan and alternative sugar.

Dates

From:

13 Feb 2019to31 Dec 2019Various Opening Times

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Spring Food Pairing

New Milton

Brighter mornings, lighter evenings and a whole new selection of seasonal produce to play with in The Dining Room. In collaboration with our prestigious new house Champagne, Veuve Clicquot, we invite you to sample the delights of our special Spring...

Dates

From:

29 Apr 2019to31 May 2019Open 12:00 - 14:00

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May Flavour of the Month

Burley

Fudge Flavour of the Month for May is Lemon & Elderflower Fudge, back by popular demand. Call in for a free taster or buy online at https://www.burleyfudge.co.uk/product/flavour-of-the-month1/

Dates

From:

3 May 2019to31 May 2019Open 09:30 - 17:00

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Afternoon Tea with The Alpaca's

Marchood, Southampton

Come and enjoy an Afternoon Tea with the Alpacas. As you sip your tea, you will be able to watch the Alpacas graze close to you. A great opportunity to take photos and get to know all about Alpacas in a quiet and peaceful setting. No crowds just...

Dates

From:

6 May 2019to31 Oct 2019Open 00:00 - 00:00

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English Wine Week at Cambium

Lyndhurst Road, Brockenhurst

With over 500 vineyards across England and Wales, the UK has become a premier wine-making country and our Head Sommelier, Michael Driscoll, is a big fan.

Our flagship restaurant, Cambium, boasts one of the biggest collections of English wines in...

Dates

From:

26 May 2019to2 June 2019Open 19:00 - 21:30

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Arancini & a Bellini at The Kitchen

New Milton

There are few better ways to unwind after a long day in the office, or a day of chores, than basking in the summer sunshine with a cocktail in hand and nibbles to enjoy. The Kitchen's beautiful terrace not only has views of its flourishing Kitchen...

Dates

From:

1 June 2019to30 Sept 2019Open 17:00 - 19:00

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Peter Caddick-Adams - A New History of D-Day

New Milton

Peter Caddick - Adams account of the Allied invasion of France in June 1944 Sand and Steel gives us the background to Operation Overlord, and the lesser known Operation Dragoon - the invasion of the southern France between then arguably the greatest...

Dates

From:
3 June 2019Open 10:30 - 15:00

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World Gin Day Dinner

New Milton

Join us to celebrate World Gin Day on 8th June and enjoy a four course dinner with paired G&Ts. So gather family and friends and get ready for an evening of 'gin'spiration.
The evening hosted by Lucy Northmore from Sipsmith Gin takes place in The...

Dates

From:
8 June 2019Open 19:00 - 22:00

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Supper with Nightjars

Frogham

A picnic supper beside the stream in Latchmore, followed by a dusk walk in search of the elusive Nightjar, whose weird churring call echoes round the heathland soon after the sun sets.

Dates

From:
22 June 2019Open 19:00 -

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Hampshire Food Festival Menu - Cambium

Lyndhurst Road, Brockenhurst

Join us at Cambium to celebrate the Hampshire Food Festival with a menu featuring ingredients from some of the region's best growers and producers!
From New Forest mushrooms and Hampshire beef, to Lymington Gin and South-Coast Hake, find out...

Dates

From:

1 July 2019to14 July 2019Open 19:00 - 21:30

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Gin tasting ft. Monkey 47

Burley, New Forest

Originated from the enigmatic character of Montgomery Collins, Monkey 47 is distilled and handcrafted in the south of Lossburg and infuses British traditions, the exoticism of India and the purity of the Black Forest – In an exclusive first ever...

Dates

From:
4 July 2019Open 18:30 - 20:00

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Gin tasting ft. Winchester Distillery

Burley, New Forest

Crafting small-batch, premium spirits using traditional methods, Winchester Distillery use local botanicals sourced from our surrounding landscape to create their collection of unique flavoured gins. Hosted by Winchester Distillery, enjoy an evening...

Dates

From:
17 July 2019Open 18:30 - 20:00

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Beautiful Butterflies

Linwood

A circular walk through mixed woodland, home of the Silver-washed Fritillary and other spectacular butterflies. Followed by a home made three course picnic lunch.

Dates

From:
20 July 2019Open 13:00 -

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New Forest and Hampshire County Show 2019

Brockenhurst

Create a lifetime of memories at the New Forest and Hampshire County Show.
The New Forest Show is a three-day celebration of Farming, Food and Fun which is rated among the top agricultural shows in the country. From food and flowers, music and main...

Dates

From:

30 July 2019to1 Aug 2019Open 08:00 - 18:30

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Tea and Memories

Lymington

Join us as we explore local market gardens and nurseries. A chance for older residents to look at photographs and objects and share their memories of times gone by. Being your friends and come along for a cup of tea.

Venue

St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery, Lymington

Dates

From:
31 July 2019Open 14:00 - 16:00

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Lymington Seafood Festival

Lymington

Two days of fishy fun, delicious food and drink stalls from local artisan producers. With demonstration kitchens to feed your culinary curiosity, plus our live music stage to keep the party going, we've some great bands bringing you soul, jazz,...

Dates

From:

10 Aug 2019to11 Aug 2019Various Opening Times

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A Musical Picnic

Lyndhurst

A circular wildlife walk through glorious woodland, followed by an outdoor musical picnic, featuring Nigel, and some of his friends, playing a range of English and Celtic folk tunes.

Dates

From:
10 Aug 2019Open 13:00 -

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Fruits and Fungi

Lyndhurst

A walk through the colourful Autumn woods, looking at (but not picking) the fruit , seeds, berries and fungi. Followed by a home made three course picnic, which will include blackberries, but not wild mushrooms!

Dates

From:
7 Sept 2019Open 13:00 -

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Bron Burrell and her 1969 Austin Maxi – Puff the Magic Wagon

New Milton

Photographed by Castrol in 1970 wearing the infamous white catsuit of the World Cup Rally, Bron became known as Miss Castrol. Puff, (now 49) and Bron (now 74) are planning one last big trip – in 2020, a drive into Mexico City to complete the...

Dates

From:
9 Sept 2019Open 10:30 - 15:00

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Gyles Brandreth - 'Name Dropping'

New Milton

Ever since that memorable week in 1960 when, as a schoolboy, he found himself, within the space of seven days, being introduced to both T S Eliot and Charles de Gaulle, Gyles Brandreth has had a weakness for name-dropping. Poets, presidents,...

Dates

From:
23 Sept 2019Open 10:30 - 15:00

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