THE Royal Bath and West show ground hosts the Bath & West Food & Drink Festival over the weekend 21st and 22nd March, as well as the 30th anniversary British & Irish Cheese Awards, on Friday 20th.

Featuring talks, markets, demos, tours and more, the third annual Food & Drink Festival will be staged around the British & Irish Cheese Awards judging arena, giving visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in a display of hundreds of diverse entries.

Following huge demand in 2025, the festival will also feature an expanded timetable of guided cheese tours, presented by this year’s judges, who will guide cheese lovers around the main hall and introduce them to different styles of cheese from across the British Isles.

Cheese stands will surround the judging arena, offering ticket-holders the chance to chat to and buy from some the country’s most respected cheesemakers.

More food and drink stands will be located throughout the festival area, including an artisan farmers market, showcasing the region’s best in beer, wine, cider, bread, jam, chocolate and much more.

The Farmhouse Kitchen Stage, sponsored by Lactalis, will have a full programme of talks, demonstrations and masterclasses – details will be revealed soon.

The popular Kids Zone will be back for 2026, with a choice of creative crafts themed around food and farming, as well as The Fun Kitchen, where free workshops will teach cooking skills to little chefs. The Bath & West Steam Railway will be running all weekend too, making sure there’s plenty for the whole family to enjoy.

Picture credit: Joe Breakwell © The Royal Bath & West Society