Ludlow Food Festival announces an exciting 2026 programme featuring Nathan Outlaw, Mallika Basu, George Egg, DJ BBQ, live-fire cooking, a brand-new Little Foodies Zone and more free experiences than ever before.

The UK’s original food festival returns to Ludlow Castle from 11–13 September, with a packed 2026 programme promising more to see, more to do and more included in the ticket price.

Now in its 32nd year, Ludlow Food Festival brings together more than 100 food and drink exhibitors, leading chefs, independent producers, live-fire cooking experts, food writers, musicians and entertainers for three days of food, drink and family fun in the spectacular surroundings of Ludlow Castle.

At the heart of this year’s festival is the brand-new Food Theatre, created in partnership with Wot’s Cooking, with a headline line-up including Michelin-starred chef Nathan Outlaw, acclaimed cook and food writer Mallika Basu, and food anarchist George Egg.

Michelin-starred cooking, global flavours, fermentation, whole food, seafood, curries, soups and food anarchy will all feature on the new Food Theatre stage, alongside TV chefs, local chefs and food experts.

The festival has significantly increased the number of experiences included within the standard admission price.

The new Castle Kitchen, located in the castle’s original kitchen, will showcase traditional and artisan skills, with morning butchery demonstrations from Anthony’s of Wellington, alongside demonstrations including charcoal making and other traditional techniques.

The spectacular Kadai Fire Stage returns to the Fire Arena, hosted by DJ BBQ, bringing some of the UK’s best live-fire cooking chefs to Ludlow. The line-up includes Shropshire Lad Adam Purnell, Murf from The Beefy Boys, Julian Brown, Marcus Bean, Nathan Outlaw, Jad Youssef, Jeremy Pang, Melissa Thomson, George Uren, James Whetlor, Sam & Shauna, Andy Stubbs, Mike Keen.

A brand-new Cookery School will offer affordable hands-on fire cooking workshops, including Millington Hall Farm’s chicken, pork, beef sessions and Game & Flames workshops with chef Mark Lloyd from Plate 8.

Castle Lodge, luxury and independent boutique Tudor hotel in Castle Square, will host award-winning photographer Danielle Acken and expert stylist Aurelia Louvet food photography workshops.

The Castle Garden Stage, in association with Netherton Foundry, will host discussion and debate with award winning writers and chefs on topics exploring food, farming, fermentation, horticulture and hospitality. Highlights include Vicky Bennison creator of Pasta Grannies, Mallika Basu on “What Makes a True Foodie?”, top horticulture expert Tamsin Westhorpe “Reinvent your Garden”, and award-winning writer Adrian Tierney-Jones on the “Future of Your Local Pub” in discussion with Gary Walters of Ludlow Brewing Company and Marc Suffolk of Hobson’s Brewery.

Families are firmly at the heart of the 2026 festival, with the launch of a brand-new Little Foodies Zone, created especially for younger festival-goers.

The Kids Kitchen will give budding chefs the chance to get hands-on in fun, interactive food workshops.

The Activity Platter will feature bite-sized dance and gymnastics sessions led by South Shropshire Gymnastics Club and Alisha-Jayne Dance Academy, while the Craft & Crumbs Tent will offer food-themed crafts, activities and plenty of opportunities to make, create and play.

The new zone means families can enjoy a full day at the festival without needing to pay extra for children’s activities.

A new Sound Bites Stage in the Outer Bailey will provide a festival soundtrack throughout the weekend, with live music and entertainment including Macy O, Willow Station, Rockspring Choir, In Steps Dance Academy, and more.

The Slow Food Garden will provide another hub for food lovers, featuring Slow Food Ludlow Marches producers, tastings, a bar and Barrel Talks & Tastings, including award-winning beer writer Laura Hadland, the Real Bread Campaign with Peter Cook, plus fascinating farming and growing challenges and insights.

Visitors can also explore more than 100 exhibitors, featuring street food vendors and artisan stalls, making the festival a major showcase for independent food and drink producers, makers and businesses.

The festival weekend kicks off with the separately ticketed Friday Night Party, featuring popular live band Call of the Kraken, DJs, street food, BBQ, pizzas and locals beers served in the Ludlow Brewery Chapel Bar.

The festival’s popular ticketed feasts also return in 2026.

Slow Food Feasts with Steve Guy – The Hungry Guy will take place on Friday and Saturday evenings in the Beacon Rooms, while Fire & Feast returns to the Inner Bailey on Saturday night, bringing together great food and spectacular fire cooking in the unique atmosphere of Ludlow Castle.

The popular Ludlow Pub Trail is returning, inviting people to explore some of Ludlow’s best pubs throughout the festival weekend, and discover the unique character of this historic town beyond the castle walls.

Festival organisers say the expanded programme has been designed to offer visitors significantly greater value while retaining the quality and character that has made Ludlow Food Festival one of the UK’s best-known food festivals.

From Michelin-starred seafood and global flavours to burgers cooked over fire, children’s cookery, artisan skills, live music and Friday night fire party, Ludlow Food Festival 2026 offers something for every generation.

With 100+ exhibitors, free demonstrations, free family activities, live music, talks, tastings, affordable workshops, fire cooking and ticketed feasts, visitors can make the most of three packed days at Ludlow Castle.

As the UK’s original food festival, Ludlow continues to champion independent producers and celebrate the region’s outstanding food and drink heritage. Every ticket sold helps support the not-for-profit festival, which is organised by volunteers and reinvests into future events.

Advance tickets are available now, offering the best value for one of the country’s most respected food festivals.

For the full programme and tickets, visit ludlowfoodfestival.co.uk