Okay, so I went to the Hampton Court Palace Food Festival this weekend, and let me tell you, it was a thing. I’ve been meaning to go for years, and finally made it happen. Here’s how it all went down.
Getting There and Getting In
First off, getting there was pretty straightforward. I drove, which, you know, can be a bit of a pain with traffic, but it wasn’t too bad on a Saturday morning. They had plenty of parking, which was a relief. I heard you can also take the train, which might be a good shout if you want a few drinks.
Once I got there, getting in was smooth. I booked my tickets online beforehand, so I just showed the QR code on my phone, and boom, I was in. No queues, no fuss. I’d definitely recommend booking in advance, though. I saw some people buying tickets on the door, and it looked a bit chaotic.
Food, Glorious Food!
Right, let’s get to the good stuff – the food! Seriously, there was SO much choice. I wandered around for ages, just taking it all in. I started with some amazing cheese samples – I think it was a cheddar with chili, or something like that. Spicy, but good!
- Tried some incredible street food – a pulled pork bun that was to die for.
- Sampled some local ciders. (Okay, maybe more than ‘sampled’…)
- Watched a cooking demo by some chef I’d never heard of, but he was pretty entertaining.
- Grabbed some artisan bread to take home – it looked too good to resist.
The Vibe
The whole atmosphere was just really chill and fun. Loads of families, couples, groups of friends… everyone just seemed to be enjoying themselves. There was live music playing, which added to the vibe. And the setting, of course, is stunning – Hampton Court Palace is a pretty epic backdrop for a food festival!
The Verdict
Would I go again? Absolutely! It’s a great day out, especially if you’re a foodie (like me!).
I spent way more than I planned to, but hey, it’s a treat, right? Just be prepared for crowds, especially if the weather’s good.
And, my advice, is to go on an empty stomach!
