Of all the food festivals that I have been invited to in the past, this one has always been the most with the most dramatic backdrop. Spread over 60 acres this is only the formal garden acerage of this histroic palace. It also includes a staggering 750 acres of parkland.
The very first time I was invited a couple of years ago it was probably the wettest day of the year! So grateful then that this time around the weather gods decided to bless us! And thankfully so as I had my parents along wit me 🙂 It really was fun showing them around the palace and all the stalls and am so glad that my folks are so sporting and such big foodies too.
There is so much to look forward to at this festival with a large number of cool food and drink producers coming down for the weekend. There is a live music stand with local bands playing, street-food pop-up’s, Bar pop-up’s , loads of shopping to be done, tons of options for Family fun and a long list of great activities to keep the little ones entertained.
I don’t know about you but from my past not so well-planned festival visits and I have been to quite a lot of them belive me you, I think it is wise to have a game plan beforehand. Download your Hampton Court Palace Food Festival 2024 Map here
Top tips to have the best food festival experience
- I would strongly suggest that you make your way through to the food stalls that you are intrested in meeting the producers and having a little chat before you may buy something. Meanwhile, keep in mind that live Kitchen demo’s by famous chefs are also something to look forward to.
2. Buy your live-demo tickets well in time once you are inside and about 30 minutes before check out the stalls closest to the demo tent, thank me later!
3. There is a special VIP Upgrade available and is available to buy, there is an additional cost to this over and above the ticket price. Even Members need to purchase this upgrade. If you have the moolah, I would strongly suggest go for it. It gives you access to the VIP tent in addition to other perks and it does help that this VIP tent is placed near the Bandstand.
Image Courtesy: HRP Festivals
4.Coming with kids?At the food festival itself there is face-painting, art and craft events and more. Fancy a horse- ride? You can even book your little ones in for a fun ride around the grounds. Wait, it does not stop here! You also have access to the fantastic 17th century Maze made up entirely from hedges. If that isn’t enough there is a brilliant Magic Garden with lots of places for climbing , running around and really have a whale of a time. Be sure to carry their swimsuits so they can fully enoy the wet play and massive sandy play area with a huge dragon to add drama and effect. Just make sure you head to the Maze and Magic Garden so you can then bundle your tired bunnies and get them home 🙂
5. Your food festival ticket allows you entry into the Palace. Wander around this 500-year old royal palace and the home King Henry VIII.
6. Once you are done browsing and sightseeing, settle down with some yummy food from one of the food stalls and a posh cocktail from one of the cool pop-up bars. If you are going in a group you can try more than a few yummy dishes by buying from different vendors, always a huge plus. We like to settle down and enjoy the live music and just really soak in the atmosphere.
6. Keep an eye out for cool offers where you can order multiple dishes and get deals.
Make the most of the Summer Break
I think this particular food festival sort of marks the end of summer and a return to school for children too so the timing is just perfect. So if you are looking for something fun to do this Bank Holiday Weekend in August of 2024, do go ahead and book yourselves into the Hampton Court Food Festival. Members go free but needy to pre-book for Saturday and are given a time-slot for entry but can stay in as long as they like.
Facilities, Parking and other fun stuff
Another huge plus for this venue is the huge availability of parking slots. Everything is really well-organised and because the palace grounds are so mahoosive the layout of the festival food tents and food vans is so chilled with so many fab opens spaces to sit down and enjoy your food and drink while soaking up the sun!
There are lots of toilets available inside too.
Memories
This was one of those amazing memories that stayed with me during the lockdown as it was the year before the pandemic hit that so much changed for me in my life and I was really missing out on all the amazingevents, outdoor blogger-do’s and all other fun invites to events that I have enjoyed over the years.
I cannot wait to go again this weekend! Will I see you there? Let me know in your comments.
*With thanks to the PR agency for the invite. As always all opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No monetary compensation was offered. All images with my blog name watermark are clicked by me, any other images used are credited as per their source.
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