My Planner

To build your own Itinerary, click Add to Excursion to add an item to your Itinerary basket.

Already saved an Itinerary?

Accommodation
Search
Things to Do
Search
What's On
Search
Food & Drink
Search
Shopping
Search

Accommodation Search

Things to Do Search

What's On Search

Food & Drink Search

Shopping Search

Accommodation Search

Things to Do Search

What's On Search

Food & Drink Search

Shopping Search

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 and Balmer Lawn Hotel 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!

Number of results:

Number of results: 14

Sort By: A-Z Lowest A-Z Highest

New Forest Foraging Courses

New Forest

We are very privileged to be running our foraging courses in the New Forest. It has a diverse and protected ecosystem, being one of the most important sites for fungi in Britain. There really aren't many better places around to learn about the…

Dates

From:
19 Apr 2020Open 12:00 - 15:30

More Details
Tea and Memories

Lymington

2-4pm | Drop-in | FREE
This time our subject is: SPORTING EVENTS & LOCAL REGATTAS - a fabulous collection of images to see!
A chance for older residents to look at photographs and objects and share their memories of times gone by.
Bring your…

Venue

St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery, Lymington

Dates

From:
28 Apr 2020Open 14:00 - 16:00

More Details
1940's Vintage Tea Party

Beaulieu

2020 marks 75 years since millions of people took to the streets to celebrate victory in Europe and we'll be toasting the heroes of World War II with a 1940's tea party.
Andrea Kelso of the famous 'Spitfire Sisters' will be teaming up with…

Dates

From:
8 May 2020Various Opening Times

More Details
Lunch with Head Chef Matthew Whitfield

Beaulieu

Ever wondered what goes in to creating restaurant quality food?
Here is your chance to get a behind-the-scenes experience of The Terrace Restaurant and join Head Chef Matthew Whitfield for lunch. Watch Matthew create some of his favourite dishes…

Dates

From:
12 May 2020Open 11:30 -

More Details
Highcliffe Food And Arts Festival

Christchurch

The sixth Highcliffe Food and Arts Festival is taking place on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th June 2020. The team of volunteer residents who are organisers are delighted to announce that Jean-Christophe Novelli is to take part this year. Jean…

Dates

From:
13 June 2020Open 10:00 - 17:00
From:
14 June 2020Open 10:00 - 16:00

More Details
Father's Day Gentleman's Afternoon Tea

Beaulieu

We've created a savoury alternative to the classic afternoon tea especially for father's Day. Expect homemade scotch eggs and beer cake alongside traditional scones and finger sandwiches. The perfect family outing if you are looking for a treat with…

Dates

From:
21 June 2020Open 03:30 -

More Details
Father's Day Lunch at The Terrace

Beaulieu

Bring your Father to the award-winning Terrace Restaurant for a Father's Day with a difference. Experience a delicious menu prepared by Head Chef Matthew Whitfield for a special afternoon he will cherish for years to come.
£52 per person and £25…

Dates

From:
21 June 2020Open 12:00 -

More Details
Grower Champagne Dinner

Beaulieu

Phil Weeks, Sales Director of Lea & Sandeman Wine Merchants and our Head Sommelier, Sergio Dos Santos have collabarated alongside Head Chef Matthew Whitfield for a mouth-watering 5 course menu accompanied by delectable Grower Champagne.
Grower…

Dates

From:
23 July 2020Open 19:00 -

More Details
Lymington Seafood Festival

Lymington

Two days of fishy fun, delicious food and drink stalls from local artisan producers. Taking place at Bath Road in Lymington on 8 and 9 August 2020. With demonstration kitchens to feed your culinary curiosity, plus our live music stage to keep the…

Dates

From:

8 Aug 2020to9 Aug 2020Various Opening Times

More Details
Dogstival

Burley

It’s music to a dog’s ears, Dogstival is back and gearing up for a weekend of entertainment not to be missed. The idyllic Burley Park is set to host thousands of four-legged festival goers on the 5th and 6th September.

Dates

From:

5 Sept 2020to6 Sept 2020Open 09:30 - 18:00

More Details
Ms Marbles Murder Mystery Dinner

Beaulieu

Ms Marbles, a connoisseur in crime solving will lead you through an evening of interactive Murder Mystery. Set at Midwinter Hall, Ms Marbles finds herself at a masked ball hosted by The Earl, where he plans to auction the dresses of his ex-wives.…

Dates

From:
16 Oct 2020Open 19:00 -

More Details
Make Your Own Chocolate Advent Calendar Workshop

Beaulieu

Learn how to make your own personalised chocolate truffle advent calendar to give as a gift for that special person. Your workshop will be hosted by Miss Witt, a world class chocolatier, teacher, demonstrator and judge who received a Silver and…

Dates

From:
10 Nov 2020

More Details
Burgundy Wine Tasting Dinner

Beaulieu

Phil Weeks, Sales Director of Lea & Sandeman Wine Merchants and our Head Sommelier, Sergio Dos Santos have collabarated alongside Head Chef Matthew Whitfield on a mouth-watering 5 course menu accompanied by a curated selection of Burgundy wines.…

Dates

From:
19 Nov 2020Open 19:00 -

More Details
New Forest Eats 'n' Treats

Brockenhurst

Now in its fourth year, Eats 'n' Treats 2020 attractions include a food and craft market, demonstrations, live music and a pop-up food court with bar.
We will also have Santa's Grotto, where kids can meet St Nick and pick up an early gift as well.

Dates

From:
29 Nov 2020Open 11:00 - 16:00

More Details