A Guide to Food Festivals in Chichester, Portsmouth & Southsea

As well as cooking up a storm in the kitchen at breakfast time for our lovely luxury bed and breakfast guests, the Quay Quarters crew loves a bit of locally-sourced grub. And what better way is there to explore what’s hot from West Sussex and Hampshire producers than at the many food festivals, fairs and markets that happen in and around nearby Chichester and Portsmouth? This is our taste bud tingling ultimate guide to local food festivals for all our foodie friends.

28-30 June

Portsmouth Seafood Festival – Gunwharf Quays

A relative newbie to the foodie scene, Portsmouth Seafood Festival has been going for the last two years and returns at the end of June with some fantastically fishy tales to tell. This free three-day event is all about paying homage to seafood from around the world as well as an opportunity to see local chefs in action showcasing the best of the Solent and the south east’s surrounding waters. With jazz and swing bands, champagne and craft beers to really get the party started and stalls selling everything from soft shell crab to native oysters to fabulous fillets of fish, this is an awesome day out in a lovely location (19 miles from Quay Quarters)

12-14 July

Food Festival with Rhythm & Blues – Priory Park, Chichester

New for this year, this looks to be a full-on fiesta offering all your street food favourites you can wrap your chops around there and then as well as grocery stalls where you can pick up ingredients so you can have a go at home (or while staying in one of our luxury self-catering cottages). There will also be an array of beverages, from real ale and cider to gin and prosecco, for enjoyment in the alfresco dining area to the chilled beats of live local music. Taking place mid-July with tickets available in advance and on the gate, this promises to be Toe Tappin’, Finger Lickin’ Family-Focused Fun!

20-21 July

Southsea food Festival – Southsea Town Centre

Held in the town centre and offering myriad market stalls brimming with some of the finest local food and drink, Southsea Food Festival is set for 20-21 July. Alongside all the usual street food and live entertainment from local talent, Sunday will bring a farmers’ market offering a flavour of Hampshire. there will be an array of gastronome gorgeousness available all over the weekend, including plenty of options for veggies, vegans and those with food intolerances.

27-28 July

Southsea Thai Festival – Castle Field, Southsea

Offering quirky authenic Thai entertainment including shows from lady boys and traditional martial arts performers, this is a true taste of Thailand. Though this event is at Castle Field, Southsea, it has previously taken place (and may do again) at Oaklands Park, Chichester. Look out for plentiful street market stalls selling favourites from pad Thai and massam curry to Thai fishcakes and spring rolls. Fancy something sweet? Don’t miss the refreshing green tea ice cream, cooling tamarind drink, tongue-popping bubble tea, or sensational sticky coconut rice with fresh mango. You’ll also find traditional Thai ingredients from herbs and spices to unusual veggies. If all that Thai tang leaves you exhausted, you can usually get a Thai massage to finish the day.

9-11 August

Chilli Fiesta – West Dean

One of the most popular local foodie events, included in The Telegraph’s top 20 UK food festivals for 2019 and renowned far and wide for its fiery festival flavour, the Chilli Fiesta at West Dean Gardens is one not to miss. At the Uk’s largest chilli festival, you can not only sample sizzling savouries at some of the 140+ stalls and watch cookery stars creating culinary masterpieces but you can also get your groove on to live Latin beats; you might even see Strictly Come Dancing’s Graziano Di Prima dancing live with his partner Giada Lini! There’s plenty to see and do for all the family with circus skills workshops, a vintage funfair, outdoor cinema performances and various children’s activities in the programme – all set in one of the most impressive local gardens. Also this year, wildlife expert Kate Bradbury will be on hand with hints and tips and there will be plenty of plants and seeds on sale so you can take away some chilli cool.

21-23 November

Goodwood Christmas Market (The Rare Brands Market) – Goodwood Racecourse

Not strictly a food festival, this lovely events offers a smorgasbord of gifts from independent retailers all under one roof on top of the Sussex Downs with glorious Goodwood racecourse as its backdrop. Taking place in the Charlton stand with more than 3000 visitors a year, this is one of the most stylish Christmas markets on the south coast. You’ll find an assortment of unique gift choices on offer, including artisan chocolates, charming chutneys and fabulously flavoured vodka liqueurs.

22-24 November

Christmas Market – Weald & Downland Living Museum

Are you looking for a good old traditional Christmas market with lots of foodie offerings? Look no further than the Weald & Downland Museum. Nestled among the historic buildings are more than 150 stands selling tantalising treats, cookware and tasty tipples that are sure to see you through the festive season with joy. What’s more, the admission price is cheaper that usual (£8.00), meaning you can enjoy everything the museum has to offer and more at a fraction of the price!

Next year’s food festivals

Other tasty treasure chests to look out for

Chichester Farmer’s Market – Held on the 1st and 3rd Friday of every month from 9.00 – 14.00, this is your opportunity to shop local produce in Chichester’s city centre (less than 3 miles from Quay Quarters). At this award-winning market (Farmer’s Market of the year at the Sussex Food and Drink Awards 2019) find everything from home-grown pak choi and Isle Wight tomatoes to Southbourne honey and plant-based superfood cakes made in Westbourne for a healthy yet delicious treat.

Yum Saturdays – On the 4th Saturday of every month at Draper’s Yard, The Hornet, Chichester you’ll find a medley of local produce on sale as part of a charming little independent parade. There’s an array of foodie folk making up the regular “shequarters” resident too.

Tuppenny Barn Shop – Open on Thursdays (9.00-17.00) and Fridays  (9.00-16.00), here you can buy fresh organic produce grown on site, honey from their hives, homemade cakes and bakes as well as locally caught fish Fresh from the Boat on a Thursday (10am-12.00). All this on our doorstep (only 6.5 miles from Quay Quarters)!

Stansted Park Farm Shop – With the finest food and drink from more than 90 Sussex and Hampshire producers on its shelves, a butchery featuring local meat (including Standsted’s own venison) and a deli brimming with Goodwood cheese, this farm shop’s well worth a visit. Located less than 10 miles from Quay Quarters, they even serve seasonal lunches Wednesday to Sunday and hold regular supper clubs and taster events.

Quality’s always on the menu at Quay Quarters

At Quay Quarters you can be wrapped in a soft duvet and set down on a bed of crisp white sheets with a sprinkle of aromatics from our sun-drenched rose gardens.. why wait to tuck in? Book a stay at one of our Sussex holiday cottages (and shop locally for delicious delights) or luxury B&B (where you can appreciate the fine flavours of a slap-up Sussex full English or Chichester continental) today!