Located by a Creek and surrounded by Kentish orchards and farms, it's no surprise that the market town of Faversham is a popular centre for food.  To celebrate its history of traditional food and drink along with its thriving modern-day food industry, the town is holding a Food Festival from 13-15th September. To be followed by other special events with the Christmas Lights Switch On and Food Night Market on Saturday 23 November and three Sunday Christmas Markets on 8th, 15th and 22nd December. While in Faversham there are plenty of other destination attractions and food and drink options to choose from. Time to take another bite size visit to Faversham soon!

The Faversham Food Festival brings together food producers, retailers, restaurants and community groups and comprises a busy schedule of tastings, demonstrations, competitions, eating, drinking and shopping.  Activities include Faversham's Famous Sausage Trail; Fish Night on the Quay; cooking competitions, children's bread making; street food market and CAMRA ale trail along with music and street entertainment.

Faversham has a rich history of growing, producing and selling produce. Its Charter Market is one of the few mentioned in the Domesday Book and still trades three days week selling locally sourced and prepared produce.  Faversham is also home to Britain's oldest brewer Shepherd Neame, which has been brewing in Faversham for over 300 years. 

The Festival is organised by volunteers with support from Faversham Town Council.  Claire Windridge from the Council says: “Faversham is a beautiful Market Town, with its Guildhall and historic Market Place, it's the perfect setting for Faversham Food Festival.  The event will be spread throughout the town offering visitors a great flavour of both Faversham and its food and drink.”

Faversham can be easily reached by train from London and has easy access to the M2 motorway.

For more information on Faversham Food Festival visit https://favershamfoodfestival.co.uk/,

Alternatively call: Claire Windridge on 01795 503287 or Ima Rix on 07584 136706

The Shepherd Neame Brewery, is also set in the centre of this historic market town, is open to visitors who wish to discover more about this proudly independent family company and its wide range of award-winning beers.

The Visitor Centre is set in a beautifully-restored medieval hall house and from here, you can join a guided tour which will take you through the heart of this busy working brewery to see how beer is made from barley to bottle and from hop to hand-pump! Taste natural mineral water from the brewery's well, try some malted barley and smell locally-grown Kentish hops.

The tour covers all aspects of brewing from raw material to distribution. Vehicles from the brewery's historic fleet are on display, along with a recreated cooper's workshop, bygone pub signs and a collection of hop-picking memorabilia.

No trip to Faversham would not be complete without a visit to Macknade Fine Foods an Award-Winning Food Hall, Deli, Butcher & Cafe where you can experience 10,000sqft of foodie heaven in Faversham, Kent. Explore our range of local and international produce, browse over 200 varieties of cheese or stop for a bite to eat in our café. Open Monday to Saturday – 9am to 6pm – and Sunday – 10am to 4pm. For more information about Macknade Fine Foods go to: https://macknade.com/#

Another must do when in Faversham is a trip to Brogdale Farm, home to the National Fruit Collections, hosting the country's largest collection of apples, pears, cherries plums, quince, medlars and nuts.  You can visit and tour the orchards. Visit Brogdale Collections website for details of their seasonal fruit festivals (Cider Festival - 24 + 25 August, Pear Day 15 September and Apple Festival 19 + 20 October) the offer at Brogdale Market Place and The Courtyard Restaurant https://www.brogdalecollections.org/.

Faversham Market hosts a number of special events and markets each year and whilst supporting the Faversham Food Festival it will also provide the opportunity for visitors to enjoy the tastes and quality Kentish Produce at the Christmas Lights Switch On Night Food Market on the 23rd November. For those who love a Christmas Market for the special local Christmas Fayre or gift additional Christmas Markets will operate in Faversham on Sundays 8th, 15th and 22nd December.

For more information about Faversham Market visit: https://favershammarket.org/

For inspiration when exploring the Faversham area go to: https://www.visit-swale.co.uk/explore-swale/faversham/. Additional local information is available at https://www.visitfaversham.org/

Still time to catch this years' Faversham Hop Festival on 31 August and 1 September at which you will also have the opportunity to taste and experience much of the tradition and local produce. For more information about the Faversham Hop Festival go to https://www.visit-swale.co.uk/events/faversham-hop-festival-39464/

Why not spend a couple of days in the Swale area - get more inspiration at  https://www.visit-swale.co.uk/explore-swale/

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Notes to editors:

Further information on selected Faversham food and drink producers.

Hollowshore Fisheries https://www.facebook.com/HollowshoreFisheries/
Selling locally caught and freshly landed fish and shellfish by fisherman Bluey Walpole from a stall hidden away down a country lane.

Mighty Fine Things https://www.mightyfinethings.co.uk/
Faversham food producer specialising in sauces, vinegars, honey and cordials using local fruits and honey. Their fresh food arm, Wasted Kitchen, uses local produce which would have gone to waste to create dishes for shops and events. 

Cheesemakers of Canterbury http://www.cheesemakersofcanterbury.co.uk/
Don't be fooled by the name, they're located just outside Faversham. Hand-made using traditional techniques, they make a range of soft and hard cheese using local goats and cows milk.

S.W.Doughty https://swdoughty.co.uk/
Butchers based in the rural village of Doddington with abattoir and farm shop – they've butchering top quality meat from local farmers for over 100 years.

The Sportsman http://www.thesportsmanseasalter.co.uk/
Michelin-starred restaurant specialising in local produce from the sea and land, growing many ingredients themselves.  Based in Seasalter, just a few miles from Faversham.