HORSHAM AND DISTRICT FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL
5 September to 4 October 2009
Don't miss this year's month-long, action-packed celebration of the very best in tasty, healthy and seasonal local produce that the District has to offer. And, this year, the Horsham District Food and Drink Festival running from 5 September to 4 October is huge! Starting life in 2003 and growing year on year, this year's event promises to be the biggest yet, with more businesses recognising the value of using local produce as well as growing it.
The Festival starts on Saturday 5 September and with so many attractions include beer festivals, harvest fairs, stunning guided tours of gardens and cream teas, you'll find it hard to resist taking part. There are farmers markets in abundance and dozens of restaurants, cafes and hotels are adding some extra sparkle to their menus.
The legendary 'Big Nibble', a brilliant free event for everyone takes place in Horsham Town Centre on Saturday 26 September. Celebrated chefs cooking delicious meals using local ingredients, restaurants and cafes offering delicious local produce on their menus and an open-air market with free range local meat, fish, delicious baked bread, fresh vegetables and fruit, fine local wine and beers and much more!
The Big Nibble is just one part of the celebrations. The extensive, full colour programme is crammed with a diverse range of special offers and events brought to you courtesy of the local food and drink businesses. Many of the offers are dependent on showing the programme to qualify. Programmes will be available prior to the start of the festival from District libraries, Horsham's Tourist Information Centre, Leisure Centres and other key venues. Alternatively, please call 01403 215529 for a copy.
Below are some examples of events that took place during last year's festival. Most events need to be booked in advance and some may incur a fee:
| Sat/Sun 6/7 Sept | Totally Tomato Show - West Dean Gardens |
| Sat 20 Sept | West Grinstead Ploughing Match |
| Sat/Sun 20/21 Sept | Horsham Beer Festival |
| Sat 27 Sept | Pulborough Harvest Fair |
| Sat/Sun 4/5 Oct | Weald & Downland Open Air Museum - Autumn Countryside Show |
| Sat/Sun 4/5 Oct | Autumn Show and Game Fair, South of England Show Ground |
Below are some of the smaller events that happened last year. Most events need to be booked in advance and some may incur a fee:
| Sat 13 Sept | Knepp Castle Estate - Guided Walk with Estate Manager |
| Sun 14 Sept | Parham House and Gardens - 2 for 1 Ploughman's Lunch |
| Tue 16 Sept | South Lodge Hotel - Guided Tour of Grounds |
| Fri 26 Sept | Hepworth and Company Brewers - Free samplings |
| Sun 28 Sept | High Barn Oils - Open Day with Ploughman's lunch |
| Tue 30 Sept | Christ's Hospital School - Ploughman's Lunch and Music |
| Fri 3 Oct | Weltons Brewery - Launch Party of the 'Horsham Old' |
This year's events will be posted here in due course. In addition, numerous farmers markets will be taking place, many restaurants, cafes and bistros will be holding their own local produce events and much more. The festival programme provides full details.
A copy of this year's programme will be available in due course. In the meantime, a copy of last year's programme can be viewed below.
Other Horsham Festivals
Details about other festivals and outdoor events in Horsham town centre throughout the year are available online.
Food and Drink Festival Programme - 2008
Food and Drink Festival Programme - 2008 (1,315kb)
The 2008 Food and Drink Festival programme in PDF format. Please note that you will require Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this document.