The full programme of events for the second ever ‘Vale Food Trail’ has now been revealed. Following a successful debut event last year, the 2024 festival features more than 25 local businesses offering farm tours, tasting events, special exhibitions, live demos – and much, much more.
Taking place between the 26th May – 4th June 2024 the Vale Food Trail is a two-week calendar of multi-location events, designed to bring people closer to food producers and businesses in the local area; it also acts as a celebration of the region’s rich gastronomic heritage and commitment to sustainable farming practices.
Visitors and locals will be able to visit a variety of producers, farms and other businesses around the area who have all signed up to offer a range of free and paid-for events which showcase food that is good for people, planet and place.
- On the 26th and 27th May, join Food Vale in Old Hall Gardens in Cowbridge where a programme of fun activities for all the family will provide opportunities to learn about food which is good for people, place and planet at Cowbridge Food & Drink Festival.
- For those with green fingers and a penchant for sustainable living, experiences such as the ‘No Dig Gardening Demo’ at Ali’s Edibles, the herb growing demo at Pugh’s Garden Centre, the horticultural farm tour at Bonvilston Edge and the ‘Forest Garden Tour & Plant Sale’ from Ediculture at Coed Hills offer insights into eco-friendly cultivation methods.
- Thirsty visitors can enjoy guided vineyard tours at St Hilary Vineyard and Glyndwr Vineyard, indulge in Welsh wine & cheese pairings at Barry Island Spirits Co, delve into the world of craft beer at Craft Republic‘s tasting event, sip on sustainable and low intervention wines from Corc, or immerse themselves in the art of gin-making at Hensol Castle Distillery. A roastery tour and tasting event is also planned at The Welsh Coffee Co in Ewenny, along with a plantation tour and tasting at the award-winning Peterston Tea.
- Cultural highlights during the two-week festival include a film screening of ‘Six Inches of Soil’ organised by Friends of Pencoedtre Woods and Vale Local Nature Partnership, and the ‘Space to Grow’ art exhibition by Urban Vertical CIC, both of which promise to stimulate thought and discussion around the topics of food, sustainability, and community.
- Whether it’s learning how to make goats milk soap with Garlic Meadow, enjoying a hog roast on the lawn at Forage Farm, learning about steak cuts from Farmer’s Pantry at Rosedew Farm, taking a guided foraging walk at Slade Farm, or simply relaxing with some live music and local street food at the Festival of the Sea, the Vale Food Trail offers something for everyone, inviting visitors to savour the flavours of the Vale of Glamorgan while supporting local businesses.
To view the full schedule of events, see dates and times, and book tickets (where required) please click here to secure your places.
The 2024 Vale Food Trail is once again being organised by partners from Food Vale, the Vale of Glamorgan’s Sustainable Food Partnership; Visit the Vale; Vale of Glamorgan Council; as well as Menter a Busnes’ business support programme Cywain. It has received funding through the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Louise Denham is the Sustainable Food Places Co-ordinator at Food Vale, and one of the festival coordinators. She said, “Last year, more than 500 visitors and locals travelled around the Vale, independently visiting producers, restaurants and other businesses for events which included farm tours, cookery workshops, tasting events, special exhibitions, live demos and more. We’re thrilled with the line-up we have pinned down for 2024 and we’re hoping to welcome many more to join us on the Vale Food Trail to support local producers whilst embracing a more sustainable way of living.”
