Foodie fests

Ludlow Spring Festival

Ludlow Spring Festival (14-15 May), in the grounds of Ludlow Castle, proclaims itself the UK’S original food festival, and promises a barrel of fun and feasting.

› ludlowspringfestival.co.uk

Pub in the Park

Pub in the Park returns to Marlow, Buckinghamshire, on 12-15 May. This year sees a stellar music line-up, food stalls and cooking demonstrations.

› pubintheparkuk.com/marlow

Wonderful watercress

For something a little bit different, check out the Watercress Festival in Alresford, Hampshire (15 May), where you can also witness the Watercress Eating Championships! › watercressfestival.org

Splendid seaweed

Head to Clovelly on the North Devon coast for its annual Seaweed Festival (29 May) and you can enjoy talks, craft workshops, stalls selling a range of seaweed products, and a great choice of lively street entertainment.

› clovelly.co.uk/events/ seaweed-festival-3-2

Easter in Bude

Further along the coast, Bude will be hosting a food festival on Easter Monday (18 April) in the grounds of its historic castle.

› budefoodfestival.co.uk

Champion chefs

The fabulous Foodies Festival (Brighton 30 April – 2 May, Bristol 20–22 May) welcomes Masterchef and Bake Off champions, as well as offering a great line-up of live music. › foodiesfestival.com

Vegan treats

Portsmouth Vegan Festival (14 May) promises to provide a huge array of stalls packed with tasty goods, cookery demos by the experts and a wide range of workshops.

› veganeventsuk.co.uk

Truly scrumptious

Bishop Auckland Food Festival, in County Durham (23-24 April), offers visitors a great day out, with the bonus of a special guest appearance by celebrity chef and broadcaster John Torode, and a huge variety of tempting food stalls and brilliant cookery demonstrations.

› bishopaucklandfoodfestival.co.uk