Malmesbury is preparing to tempt taste buds and showcase the best of the region’s food and drink offerings with its very first major food and drink festival, eat:Malmesbury.
The event will take place on Saturday 19th October, bringing together more than 60 stalls featuring local producers and traders from across Wiltshire and the wider West Country.
Organised by eat:Malmesbury, an award-winning not-for-profit social enterprise, this festival marks a new venture for both Malmesbury and Wiltshire, as the town steps up to host its first eat: event. Known for their success in connecting communities with local producers, eat:Malmesburyapproached Malmesbury Town Council last year with the proposal to bring the festival to the historic town.
Malmesbury Mayor, Cllr Phil Exton, expressed his excitement for the event, saying, “The team at eat:Malmesburyfelt Malmesbury would be a good first venue for them in Wiltshire, after many successful events across the West Country. We are looking forward to welcoming them and pleased that local providers will be included, as well as many other West Country food and drink producers.”
The theme of the festival, Taste Cook Grow, encourages visitors to explore new flavours, try their hand at cooking, and expand their culinary horizons. Stalls will be set up across several key locations in the town, including the High Street, Market Cross, Abbey forecourt, Birdcage Walk, and the Old School Room in the Town Hall. With free entertainment around the festival, the day promises to be a lively, family-friendly affair.
Local businesses, including cafes, pubs, and restaurants, will be open as usual, adding to the vibrant atmosphere. Visitors are encouraged to explore the entire town, from the festival sites to the food and hospitality venues at The Triangle and beyond.
Bev Milner Simonds, co-organiser from eat:Malmesbury, said, “It has been a real pleasure getting to know Malmesbury better over the past few months. There are so many great producers in Wiltshire, it’s wonderful to be able to showcase them at this new festival. Visitors can expect to find everything from traditional farmers’ market favourites like bread, ales, and cheese, to charcuterie, cakes, and street food.”
In addition to the food and drink offerings, local community groups, including the award-winning Malmesbury Community Fridge, part of the HEALS of Malmesbury charity, will also have a presence at the event.
The festival runs from 10am to 4pm, with the upper High Street closed to traffic, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all visitors. Malmesbury’s thriving food and drink scene is set to be centre stage, making this a must-visit event for locals and visitors alike.
