Shobdon Festival History

After 20 years of organising a tri-annual flower festival in the north Herefordshire village of Shobdon, father and son team Terry and Matt Teale thought it was time to try something different. After a glass or two of red wine, the answer seemed obvious: We’d attempt a Food & Drink Festival. The ethos was laid out there and then too – To celebrate Herefordshire gastronomy and support local producers over a weekend that the whole family could enjoy. It was also decided that any profit would be given to local charities.

Held in 2005, the first Shobdon Food & Drink Festival attracted just under a thousand visitors and around forty of the finest producers from Herefordshire and the Marches. We barely broke even but decided to give it another go in 2006. By 2007 the event had grown to accommodate around 60 of the best producers in the country as well as dozens of craftspeople, musicians, chefs, experts and most importantly over 3,000 visitors.

'A two-day birthday party to remember' is how the 2009 Shobdon Food and Drink Festival was viewed by visitors. It was our fifth event and we are now an established part of the 'foodie' calendar. Once again, the re-vamped and re-named 'Food Fest 5' took place in the idyllic grounds of Shobdon church in north Herefordshire.

Our task now is to continue to grow while maintaining the friendly family feel that we think makes our event so special. We want to retain an atmosphere of spaciousness and relaxation where visitors can sample and buy a wide variety of excellent produce, listen to live music, enjoy our stunning surroundings and slowly adapt to a more rural pace of life.