The Great British Cheese Festival which takes place annually in Cardiff Castle (September 22 and 23 – 029 20 230 130 and www.ticketlineuk.com for tickets) has been voted the second best Food Festival in the UK by the Independent newspaper, beating off competition from fellow Welsh foodie fests Abergavenny and Ludlow.
The annual pilgrimage for some 10,000 cheese lovers from across the UK (www.greatbritishcheesefestival.co.uk) came runner-up to the Galway Oyster Festival which also takes place in September, but triumphed over other big names such as Isle of Wight Garlic Festival.
Cllr Huw Thomas, Cabinet Member for Sport, Culture and Leisure for the event organiser Cardiff Council said: “This is great national acclaim for the festival, and recognition of Cardiff’s credentials for staging major national events. Cardiff Castle provides the perfect setting for the Great British Cheese Festival, and the event is a key driver for tourism to the city. It’s also wonderful to see other Welsh food events in the Top 10, enhancing the nation’s reputation for great cuisine.”
In its description of the Cardiff event, the Independent says: “There are more than 400 cheeses on offer here: some are local champions, others national winners – all are the very best around.”
The weekend of pure cheese indulgence returns in September to its spiritual home in the heart of the Welsh capital, featuring the cream of this country’s cheese industry on show in the scenic grounds of the castle. There are some 400 cheeses from around 100 cheese makers, many of them from the Specialist Cheesemakers Association, to taste and buy, delicious CAMRA selected beers in the Cardiff Arms to wash it down with, along with master classes, demonstrations, other fine foods from around the country, and the fine sports of Cheese Tossing and Cheese Skittles.
The numerous masterclasses and demonstrations give visitors the opportunity to really get under the skin of cheese making, with vouchers for these included in the advance ticket price. Visitors are advised to book these in advance, as this saves £3.50, and many masterclasses sell out in advance.
Juliet Harbutt, the First Lady of Cheese is an award-winning cheese maker herself, and on Friday September 21 she will again be running the British Cheese Awards being staged in the National Museum of Wales near the castle.
Amongst the festival attractions is the chance for visitors to enter the Hall of Champions and create their own champion cheeseboard included in the advance sale voucher price.
Prices On the Day In Advance
Adults £8.95 £8.95 plus a £3.50 discount on a masterclass at time of booking*
Concessions:
Senior citizens, Students, Children 5 – 16 £7.95 £7.95 plus a £3.50 discount on a masterclass at time of booking*
Under 5s Free Free
Family 2+ 2 £28 Only available on the day
Group Bookings 1 free ticket for every 10 (11th is free) Only in advance 1 free ticket for every 10 (11th is free)
* A discount to the value of £3.50 is given for full or part payment towards a masterclass at time of booking, subject to availability. Advance booking closes Friday 21 September
