If you're looking for everything you need to know about Wells Food Festival 2024, you've come to the right place.

This year's festival will be held on Sunday, 13 October from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm, and promises to be a fantastic day out for food lovers, families, and visitors from across the South West. With over 200 artisan food and drink producers, street food, English wine tastings, and activities for all ages, it's no wonder this annual event is one of Somerset's most anticipated food festivals.

What is Wells Food Festival?

Wells Food Festival is an annual celebration of local produce and culinary talent from Somerset and the South West, featuring a diverse mix of artisan food and drink, interactive workshops, and live entertainment. This year, the event will be bigger than ever, with stalls and activities spread across multiple locations in the city, including the Market Place, Town Hall, Bishop's Palace Green, the recreation ground, and, for the first time, Wells High Street, which will be closed to traffic for the day.

What can you expect at Wells Food Festival 2024?

With more than 200 local producers showcasing their products, visitors can expect a wide variety of delicious treats, including cheeses, homemade pies, baked goods, chocolates, jams, and much more. There will also be a selection of locally produced drinks, including craft beers, ciders, gins, and award-winning English wines. This year, visitors will have the unique opportunity to meet vineyard owners and sample their wines in the English Wine Marquee on Palace Green, one of the festival's most popular features.

The festival's renowned street food market will also be in full swing, offering everything from authentic Thai dishes and gourmet burgers to wood-fired pizzas and traditional Somerset fare. Popular street food names returning to Wells include Ah-Ma's Dumplings, Passion & Smoke barbecue, and Soul Dough wood-fired pizza.

Family-friendly fun and activities

Wells Food Festival is a fantastic day out for families. The Children's Zone in the recreation ground will be packed with activities to keep younger visitors entertained, including interactive crafts, kiddie-sized street food, and the ever-popular Fun Kitchen cookery workshops. Led by Simon Gray and his team, the Fun Kitchen will offer four free cooking sessions for children aged 3 and up, where young chefs can make their own Apple Cinnamon Swirls.

Families can also take part in the Children's Trail, an interactive scavenger hunt around the festival. Trail maps are available from the Children's Zone and information stands, and kids who complete the trail can collect a small prize.

Food for Thought: Addressing food issues in the community

Beyond the culinary delights, the Wells Food Festival 2024 is also about tackling important food-related issues. The Food for Thought Marquee will return to the recreation ground, focusing on topics such as food poverty, food waste, and healthy eating. Local organisations like the Wells Foodbank, Shepton Mallet Community Fridge, and Root Connections will be there to share information about their initiatives and how people can get involved.

Live music and entertainment

Adding to the festival atmosphere, there will be live music performances throughout the day. Festival favourites, the Harlem Rhythm Cats, will be swinging classics from the bandstand, while local musicians from Wells Cathedral School will be popping up around the festival grounds to entertain visitors.

In the morning, pupils from Millfield School will perform, followed by the PRP Contemporary Voices choir and their guests, Anthem Voices, in the afternoon. Over at Palace Green, local musician Sam Evans will blend swing, soul, folk, and blues to keep the party going near the English Wine Marquee.

Practical information: Parking and road closures

With thousands of visitors expected, parking in Wells will be at a premium, so it's a good idea to plan ahead and arrive early.

Here are the best places to park:

• South Street Car Park: BA5 1SL
• Union Street Car Park: BA5 2PU
• Princes Road Car Park: BA5 2DT
• Priory Road Car Park: BA5 1SY
• Tucker Street Car Park: BA5 2DZ
• Whiting Way (Waitrose) Car Park: BA5 2PJ
• Palace Fields Car Park: BA5 1AA (access via Silver Street)

Accessibility parking will also be available in the city's main car parks and at Cathedral Green.

Important road closures to be aware of:

To make room for all the stalls and ensure pedestrian safety, several roads in Wells will be closed to vehicles from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm on Sunday, 13 October:

• Sadler Street
• High Street (from its junction with Sadler Street to its junction with Broad Street)
• Market Place
• Townhall Buildings

Parking will be suspended in these areas during the closure period, so please use the designated parking zones listed above. We kindly ask all visitors to be considerate and avoid parking irresponsibly or blocking driveways. Let's ensure the day runs smoothly for everyone.

Final tips for a great day out at Wells Food Festival 2024

• Arrive early to make the most of the day and secure parking.
• Wear comfortable shoes—there's a lot of ground to cover.
• Bring a reusable shopping bag for all your goodies and purchases.
• Visit the Fun Kitchen early to book your slot, as spaces fill up fast.

Whether you're coming for the food, the family activities, or just to soak up the atmosphere, the Wells Food Festival 2024 promises to be an unmissable day of fun, flavour, and community spirit. See you there!