The Hampton Court Palace Food Festival is an annual summer event that transforms the historic gardens of Hampton Court Palace into a bustling food-lovers’ paradise. Held each late-August Bank Holiday weekend, this beloved festival features over 150 food and drink stalls under the shadow of the Tudor palace. Visitors can sample a vast array of dishes – from sweet churros and crepes to hearty British classics like gourmet sausage rolls, scotch eggs and meat pies. In addition to the eats, the festival offers live cooking demonstrations by top chefs, flowing craft beers and wines, plus family-friendly entertainment (music on the bandstand, traditional games, face-painting, arts and crafts) – truly “something here for everyone,” as one guide notes. Running for over a decade, it draws thousands each year as a lively, all-ages culinary celebration.
The gardens of Hampton Court Palace provide a majestic historic backdrop for the festival. The 500-year-old red-brick palace – once home to Henry VIII – and its beautiful formal gardens frame the event. You can admire sights like the palace’s famous 17th-century hedge maze and the world’s oldest grapevine while strolling from stall to stall. In fact, the palace’s 60 acres of formal gardens and 750 acres of parkland mean there’s plenty of space to explore between tastings. Many guests picnic on the lawns or by fountains, soaking up the sunshine and scenery along with their food. This mix of culinary adventure and royal history makes the festival unique – as one event photographer noted, Hampton Court was once “home of one of the most notorious foodies, King Henry VIII,” making the setting a “feast fit for a king”.
What’s on the Menu: Food & Drink
The festival’s street food and artisan stalls serve an incredible variety of global flavours. You might discover vendors roasting spicy kebabs, grilling smoky barbecue, or frying crisp goujons – the choices are endless. For example, you could try:
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Street food and snacks – items like fresh churros with chocolate, pillowy crepes (both sweet and savoury), gourmet burgers, crispy fried chicken or fish and chips, and even international treats like Turkish gözleme or Korean fried chicken.
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Hearty British classics – artisanal sausage rolls, golden Scotch eggs, rich stew or pie made by award-winning pie-makers, and cheese toasties. These comfort foods give a local twist to the world cuisines.
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World cuisines – stalls from around the globe bring dishes from Lebanon, India, Italy, Scandinavia, Australia and more. You’ll find Lebanese wraps and mezze, Indian curries and samosas, Italian arancini or gelato, Swedish meatballs, Aussie meat pies, Japanese sushi or ramen – all side by side. The diversity is part of the fun.
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Sweet treats & desserts – cakes, brownies, doughnuts, gourmet ice-creams and puddings to satisfy any sweet tooth. Popular vendors whip up cinnamon doughnuts or creamy panacotta, while others offer exotic sweets like meringue nests or Turkish delight.
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Drinks – don’t forget the beverages! Local craft beers, ciders and ales flow freely, alongside crisp wines and small-batch spirits. There are also fruit sodas, refreshing iced teas and fun mocktails or specialty soft drinks for kids and non-drinkers. Even special ginger tonics and sparkling herbal drinks reflect current trends.
Each year new artisan producers join the line-up, so there’s always a chance to try the latest food trends. One reviewer noted unusual finds like “families’ homemade honey from cherry orchards” or fermented kombuchas – it’s a great place to discover new flavors. (Many stalls are small family or craft businesses, so you can chat with the makers themselves.)
Entertainment & Activities for All Ages
Beyond the food, the festival schedule is packed with fun activities and entertainment. Highlights include:
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Live Cooking Demonstrations – Watch top chefs and food personalities cook on stage. There are usually demo kitchens where you can learn new recipes or pick up tips. The festival even bills these as sessions with “renowned chefs” and interactive cooking classes. It’s a chance to see professionals at work and sample their creations.
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Live Music – The bandstand hosts regular performances across genres. Past line-ups have included 1940s swing bands, Beatles or ABBA tribute groups, folk duos and pop/rock covers. You might dance or simply relax on the grass listening to live tunes while enjoying your meal.
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Family Fun Zone – There’s plenty for kids (and kids at heart). Little ones can get face-painted, take part in craft workshops, and join classic garden games like sack races or a wheelbarrow dash. A highlight is often a huge LEGO® Creation Station or similar activity corner (one year even had a “Bluey” kids’ zone). Children can also ride on a gentle horse-drawn cart around the grounds or explore the Adventure Playground (“Magic Garden”) in the maze. Most families bring blankets and let kids run and play between stalls.
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Garden Games & Activities – Try your hand at vintage fair games like croquet, skittles or hoop-throwing, set out on the lawn. Circus skill workshops (juggling, hula-hoop) have been popular, and even free dance or fitness demos (like MOVE IT academy classes) sometimes take place. All ages seem to enjoy sampling these activities.
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Shopping for treats – In addition to ready-to-eat food, there’s a marketplace of artisan producers. You can browse and buy cheeses, breads, preserves, sauces, and more to take home. Historic Royal Palaces notes that this festival is a great place to “discover your new favourite foodie products”. Many visitors leave with baskets of oils, sweets or cured meats as souvenirs of the day.
Thanks to the historic setting, even a break from the festival feels special. Between bites, families often stroll into the palace, visit the famous hedge maze or admire the sculptured fountains. The mix of food, fun and history creates a relaxed, picnic-like atmosphere, as people spread out on picnic blankets and sample treats under the sun. One reviewer even noted chequered blankets dotted the lawns as attendees happily tried dozens of different dishes. Whether you wander 17th-century gardens or tap your feet to live music, the vibe is casual and joyful.
Conclusion
The Hampton Court Palace Food Festival is not just about eating – it’s a cultural and culinary day out. You’ll leave with a happy belly and a few new food discoveries. As one attendee put it, with a mix of “good food and drink and live music… what’s not to love?” For anyone who loves food, family fun, and a touch of history, this festival delivers a unique feast for all the senses.
