The Dales Festival of Food and Drink, Leyburn, Yorkshire (June)
The Dales Festival of Food and Drink is a celebration of Yorkshire’s finest produce. This 3-day event is held at Leyburn in the heart of Wensleydale. It’s an essential ingredient for a summer weekend break in the Yorkshire Dales.
Visit the Yorkshire Dales in June and spend a day at The Dales Festival of Food and Drink
What better way to spend an early summer weekend than a trip to this Yorkshire Dales Food and Drink Festival. Travel to Leyburn on the Wensleydale railway and then taste and drink your way through Yorkshire’s finest – ee by gum.
- Shop for local produce in the Food Hall
- Taste Yorkshire craft beers
- Watch cookery demonstrations
- Travel on the Wensleydale Railway
Browse Yorkshire’s Finest in the Food Hall
The main focal point of the festival is the 14,000 sq ft marquee which houses the Food Hall where you’ll find over eighty exhibitors. Discover Yorkshire produce such as Masons Yorkshire Gin which is produced using Harrogate water and secret botanicals; the award-winning Yorkshire rapeseed oil which makes a great alternative to cooking with olive oil; venison from Round Green Farm and vegetables from Riverford Organics on Home Farm (we love the Riverford Farm Restaurant on their farm in South Devon).
Have a Pint of Yorkshire Ale
Wander into the drinks marquee and you’ll find the Yorkshire Dales Real Ale and Cider Festival. It’s hosted by Daleside Brewery, founded in the mid 1980’s by a family with a brewing tradition stretching back more than 600 years. There are usually around twenty local real ales and ten ciders on offer.
Watch the Cookery Demonstrations
The cookery demonstrations held in the Theatre Marquee are a firm festival favourite. The line up includes a diverse and entertaining array of chefs from the local area including Swinton Park Cookery School. Live cookery demonstrations take place each day with comfortable seating for 200 (great if it’s a rainy day).
Meet The Farm Animals
In the livestock marquee, you can meet a selection of the animals typically found on farms in the Dales such as Holstein, Belgian Blue Cross dairy and beef calves, Wensleydale Sheep and Jacob Sheep.
Tips
- Travel to Leyburn the scenic way on the Wensleydale Railway, which runs from Leeming Bar and Bedale to Leyburn from the East, and from Redmire to Leyburn from the West
- Fancy some cheese tasting? Visit the Wensleydale Creamery and Cheese Museum in Hawes
Where to Stay
The Priory Bed & Breakfast in Middleham – a beautifully furnished 17th century Priory with views towards the castle. There are 5 contemporary bedrooms with luxury bathrooms. Dog-friendly too.
The Old Town Hall in Redmire – lovely Bed & Breakfast, elegantly furnished and just 4 miles from Aysgarth Falls.
Eastbrook Cottage in Leyburn – a Bed & Breakfast in a pretty cottage offering one room. Dog-friendly and a short walk from the Wensleydale Brewery.
Dogs
They tell me that I’m welcome at the festival but not in the Food Hall.
How to Find the Dales Festival of Food & Drink
The Festival Site is well signed and located on the outskirts of the town on the A684, approaching Leyburn from the east.
Website: www.dalesfestivaloffood.org
Explore
Find more Foodie Things To Do in the Yorkshire Dales. Discover more Food Festivals and Events.
The Foodie Travel Guide
Sally is the founder and editor of The Foodie Travel Guide. She travels around the UK and beyond in search of the best foodie days out, tasting experiences and delicious places to stay. She loves a glass of English sparkling wine, afternoon tea with friends and escaping London for gastronomic adventures.