Somerset Food Festival 15th – 24th July

This year a wonderful return to the calendar is the Somerset Food Trail Festival a celebration of sustainable food and farming and a unique opportunity to lift the lid on the farms, landscapes, people and places behind Somerset’s most flavourful and nature friendly food.

It is based on the “open studio” model and the ten-day festival is an open farm and farm to fork showcase that puts the spotlight on Somerset’s smaller-scale, more regenerative farmers and artisan producers.

Glastonbury benefits from a strong food and tourism reputation, bolstered by the festival economy and the visitors. A weekly market sells produce from local farms, and the town’s High Street and back streets are filled with independent shops, including a butcher, and eco-friendly grocer, as well as an eclectic range of cafés, pubs and restaurants.

On the fringes of the town, a range of regenerative food growing enterprises flourish, and several social enterprises provide for those unable to afford to buy food. Most recently Glastonbury is set to receive £23 million from the Government, towards regenerating the town through twelve projects, three of which will have a focus on sustainable local food.

For more information on the festival please visit the Somerset Food Trail website.

During the festival, on Sunday 17^th, here in Glastonbury Town Hall we are holding a Food Fair with lots of talks, tastings and opportunities to buy direct from the makers. Please come and visit us on the day and we have a surprise in our lovely garden for you!

Here is a small selection of the wonderful restaurants and cafés in, and just outside Glastonbury, taking part in the ten-day festival, which also serves as a great list of places to eat when you are visiting the area.

The Sheppey Inn

Awesome food, fantastic wines, a fine selection of local ales and ciders and great music- that’s what the Sheppey Inn promises. Lying out on the beautiful wilds of the Somerset Levels, surrounded by peat moors, dairy farms and natural wildlife reserves, it attracts people from miles around.

Lower Godney, Wells BA15 1RZ

www.thesheppey.co.uk

Queen of Cups

Celebrating the best of West Country produce with modern Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavours, the Queen of Cups prides itself on local seasonal produce. It’s offering a “Best of Local” set menu during the festival and on Monday 18th Chef Ayesha will demonstrate three ways to prepare local fish.

10-12 Northload Street, Glastonbury BA6 9JJ

www.queenofcups.co.uk

Heaphy’s Café

Popular independent coffee shop and café in the centre of Glastonbury who aim to source our produce as locally as possible, including organic milk and veg. Great choice for Vegans too.

16 Market Place, Glastonbury, BA6 9EU

Benedict Street Kitchen Café

Café serving organic coffee, breakfast, lunch and an abundance of baked goods and locally produced home made food. Vegan and gluten free friendly, with a lovely outside garden. Open Tuesday to Saturday.

The Old Police Court, Benedict St, Glastonbury BA6 9EX

The Old Tannery

Relaxed informal restaurant and bar run by an award-winning chef delivering exceptional food with an emphasis on fresh, seasonal and creative dishes. They pride themselves on championing local producers and suppliers and aim to be as sustainable as they can. Vegan and vegetarian friendly.

The Old Tannery, Red Brick Building, Moreland Road, Glastonbury BA6 9FT

theoldtanneryglastonbury.co.uk

My Fine Deli

Both a deli and a café they are very proud of the fine selection of cheeses and meats sourced from the local area. They also deliver beautiful vegan and vegetarian cakes and muffins and oat, almond and soy milks for their excellent teas and coffees.

22 High Street, Glastonbury BA6 9DU

www.myfinedeli.com

100 Monkeys Café

Independent restaurant, café and bar serving a truly seasonal menu using local and organic produce and supporting an environmentally sustainable local food economy. They will be serving a “Food Trail specials” menu showcasing the best of their small-scale local producers and suppliers.

52 High Street, Glastonbury BA6 9DY

www.hundredmonkeyscafe.com

Middlewick Farm Shop and Café

There’s been a Middlewick Farm at the base of Glastonbury Tor since the early 1600’s. Now set up as holiday cottages, its popular farm shop stocks and sells a wide range of local meat, dairy and produce.

Pick up some food to take home or enjoy a coffee and cake in the gardens before walking up Glastonbury Tor.

Middlewick, Wick, Glastonbury BA6 8JW

www.middlewickcottages.co.uk