With its breathtaking coastline and awe-inspiring mountains, Cumbria is a county not only known for its spectacular landscapes but also for its thriving local food culture.
Across Cumbria and the Lake District you will find an array of food festivals and farmers markets taking place throughout the year, exhibiting produce from a variety of local food suppliers. You will find a delightful choice of goods here with Herdwick lamb, quality cheeses, chutneys, cakes and puddings all available.
Local food markets and local food festivals are a fantastic way for people to find out more about the delicious produce available in their own area and perhaps try new foods that they may not have considered buying before. From traditional Cumbrian foods to international cuisines, the local food festivals in this region offer a diverse range of culinary delights that will leave you craving for more.
In this blog, we’ll cover the very best foodie events and food festivals in the North West of England which are showcasing the finest local produce that Cumbria has to offer. Whether you’re a total foodie looking to sample some mouth watering local food or simply want to have a fun day out with friends and family, these festivals are the perfect way to experience an authentic taste of Cumbria.
So, let’s get into it.
In 2009, the Cumbrian town of Cockermouth experienced severe flooding that led to the closure of many businesses in it’s town centre. The following year, a group of local businesses worked with the CN Media group to create the Taste Cumbria Food Festival to showcase the local’s resilience and readiness for business. The first festival was held in September 2010 and it was a huge success.
Since then, Taste Cumbria has expanded across the Cumbria region with a number of food festivals and events taking place across the county each year. You can expect plenty of market stands selling delicious Cumbrian foods but more than this, each festival features celebrity chef demonstrations, talks, master classes and entertainment for the whole family.
Take a look at the list of Taste Cumbria food festival locations and dates for 2024 below to find an event near you:
Offering a tempting selection of continental and international flavours to sample, the popular Easter International Market is set to return to Carlisle city centre this Spring between 28 March and 1 April. There will be a tempting selection of cuisines to sample and a marvellous array of fresh foods such as olives, cheeses, salami, handmade breads and cakes for you to try.
More than 40 traders will be taking part in this event in Carlisle city centre including an array of talented makers and artisans. On your visit, you can also browse a variety of craft stalls including handmade jewellery, wooden furniture and carvings, garden ornaments and beautiful plants.
First held at the historic Muncaster Castle in 2015, the Cumbria Sausage Festival is now a favourite event for visitors to Cumbria and the Lake District. After a sizzling 2023 event, the Cumbria Sausage Festival is back for 2024, taking place during the 4 – 6 May bank holiday weekend.
This Cumbria food festival offers much more than sausages, with a large market selling delicious Cumbrian foods such as cakes, chutneys, artisan breads, quality meats and cheeses from local food suppliers all available to try and guaranteed to tantalise your tastebuds. Visitors can even upgrade to a Sausage Tasting ticket to take part in voting for the Sausage Champion 2024!
What’s more, with plenty of activities to keep the kids entertained, celebrity chef demonstrations and a sausage dog competition, this festival is the perfect day out for the whole family.
The popular Cumbria Vegan Fair is returning to Penrith this year on the 1 June 2024 and will be held at Penrith Rugby Club. Here, you can expect lots of tasty vegan foods, drinks, treats, clothing, gifts and cruelty-free cosmetics. Although tickets to this event are free, you are invited to make donations upon entry and all money raised goes to Farplace Animal Rescue.
For more opportunity to sample some fantastic regional produce, you might want to consider visiting a local farmer’s market. Cumbrian Farmers Markets are another great way to discover some of the great produce the region has to offer and support your local food suppliers. They are held regularly across Cumbria and the Lake District so you’re sure to find an event taking place near you.
These markets are stocked with produce that have either been grown and reared locally or have been baked and cooked locally so you can expect to find an array of delicious creations here.
Take a look at this list we have put together of the current farmer’s markets taking place across the county:
At Made In Cumbria, we recognise that farmers, growers, makers and producers are an important part of Cumbria’s economy and so we are passionate about supporting them. Our food and drink suppliers offer the best and the tastiest of the region’s locally sourced produce and locally made foods including quality meats, condiments, pies and pastries. Take a look at some of the region’s most talented food suppliers for an idea of the tasty delights you can expect to find at farmer’s markets and local food festivals in Cumbria later this year!
Cumbria Chamber of Commerce
3rd Floor
Broadacre House
16-20 Lowther Street
Carlisle
CA3 8DA
0845 226 00 40
©Cumbria Chamber of Commerce 2023 | By: We Are Digital
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