Tuck into these 2022 food festivals

A must-do for any foodie, this epic food festival in Manchester serves up immersive drink experiences, supper clubs and cookery masterclasses. Mix gourmet street food with a gin festival and tours of the city’s Northern Quarter, and you have the perfect recipe for an unmissable urban food fest. (15 - 26 September)

Every autumn the West Sussex market town of Steyning and its surrounding villages come alive with a busy programme of food and drink events. Festivities start with the popular farmers market and then gather pace with special events such as vineyard open days, chocolate and coffee tastings and the Great Steyning Bake-Off competition. Be sure to bag a bargain as many of the local shops and delis for the duration of the festival. (3 September - 1 October)

Join fellow food lovers to celebrate one of the most anticipated events in the foodie calendar – the Ludlow Food Festival. Over 180 exhibitors and hot and cold food vendors, primarily from Ludlow and the Welsh Marches, set up shop in the stunning surroundings of Ludlow Castle showcasing tasty, top-quality produce, from local charcuterie to hand-raised pies. And with tastings, talks and free chef demos galore, there’s plenty to keep you busy. (9 - 11 September)

Granted a Protected Geographical Indication for its delicious delicacy, Leicestershire’s town of Melton Mowbray hails its eponymous pork pie in a food and drink festival of its own. The rural foodie capital bustles with a swath of stalls filled with the freshest countryside produce. Chomp on Melton Mowbray Pork Pies and Stilton cheese and try exotic delicacies too, including ostrich burgers and Persian dishes – a nod to the area’s multicultural community. (1 - 2 October)

Sink your teeth into everything from gourmet chocolate to Yorkshire salami from the markets sprawled over Parliament Street and Shambles Market at this 10-day foodie spectacular. Book yourself on one of the taste trails, join an edible art workshop or sip and savour some delectable wines. (23 September - 2 October)

Taste some of Cumbria’s finest produce at the county’s flagship food festival. Explore tons of stalls, a hot food court and cooking demonstrations. Don’t miss the street party at Market Place, or the chance to try local spirits at the Taste of the Lakes Distillery Spirit Tasting Evening. Add in comedy shows, barbecues, cocktail masterclasses and a prosecco bar and it's shaping up to be a good weekend all round. (24 - 25 September)

The Dartmouth Food Festival is back to celebrate the best food, drink and cookery skills from the South West. With an exciting mix of delicious regional food and drink, chef demonstrations, workshops and lively food debates, it’s a true foodie’s heaven.

Its packed programme of events has more than 100 local producers (with the majority from Devon itself!) serving up their most mouth-watering produce. Wander the cobblestone alleyways of this beautiful harbour town, nibble between the stalls, and brush up on your culinary skills at cookery demonstrations by big-name chefs. (21 - 23 October)

Held in the grounds of one of the most attractive stately homes in the North West, The Great British Food Festival is one of the most iconic events in the Cheshire calendar. From live cooking demos to foraging walks and kids’ cookery lessons, there’s enough to keep the whole foodie family busy. Be sure to check out the artisan market brimming with local and national goodies you won’t find in a supermarket, before tucking into hand-crafted dishes from the array of street food vendors. Bon appetite! (24- 25 September)

Truro Food Festival is a testament to Cornwall’s culinary standing, with the free city-wide event celebrating the very best of Cornish food and drink. Rock up to a chef demo to watch the experts in action and savour speciality products exclusive to the South West. (1 - 3 October)

One of London’s best-known food festivals, Meatopia – originally founded in the US – is adored by fire-cooking lovers. Each year, more than 60 of the world’s best live-fire chefs gather from around the world to cook an array of exclusive dishes over sustainably sourced wood and charcoal. Wash your meats down with thirst-quenching beverages on offer in the TAPtopia and dance along to the live musicians, DJs and soul singers that can be found in every corner of the festival. (2 - 4 September)

Head east to celebrate Suffolk’s thriving food and drink scene at Aldeburgh Food & Drink Festival. Sample the county’s best produce – from sourdough to hearty street food – from over 100 vendors, and watch local and visiting chefs do what they do best at the two demonstration stages (in past years, the festival has hosted the likes of Thomasina Miers – founder of Mexican chain, Wahaca – and Sabrina Ghayour). The kids won’t be bored either as they can get stuck into hands-on cookery workshops or play games in the Family Meadow. (24 - 25 September)

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This tasty seafood festival brings The Barbican and Sutton Harbour to life with entertainment, activities and a variety of fishy dishes to celebrate the city’s seafood heritage. Peruse an array of traders, learn a trick or two at the chef's stage and watch the sun set over the sea as you indulge in champagne and oysters. (17 - 18 September)

Get a taste of all the superb seafood available off our southern shores at this award-winning festival in Weymouth. Munch on fresh seafood dishes from an abundance of stalls within the seafood village, join in with hands-on cookery sessions or simply sip a bottle of Nyetimber English Sparkling Wine and enjoy the atmosphere. (10 - 11 October)