The organisers of Valley Fest have confirmed that this year’s event is 100% going ahead, taking place beside the Chew Valley Lake from July 29th to August 1st. In addition to some incredible headline music acts, it’s a weekend that will showcase the finest produce from our region, from charcuterie to Cheddar, and cider to sausages.
Luke Hasell’s Valley Fest features some big names as well as rising stars amongst its live acts for 2021, including Texas, Deacon Blue and Sophie Ellis-Bextor as headliners, as well as acts such as The Allergies, The Snuts, Toploader, The Cuban Brothers, Beans on Toast, Eva Lazarus, Oh My God! It’s The Churchand Sub Zero B2B Audiomission ft Jakes.
From a food and drink point of view, you’ll see GBBO star Briony May Williams; The Pony & Trap’s Josh Eggleton; Rob Howell from Root Bristol; Jan Wilson of Wilson’s Restaurant, plus Olia Hercules – named Observer Food Monthly’s Rising Star of 2015.
Tom Hunt and TV’s Andy Clarke will be highlighting some incredible ethical drinks producers, while author, cookery teacher and food stylist, Jenny Chandler, will be demonstrating how kids can make easy dishes at home.
Valley Fest will also be home to open-sided feasting tipis, with dishes created by some incredible chefs from across the UK. Empirical have teamed up with Freddie Janssen of Dalston’s Snackbar for a Friday night Mexican sharing feast paired with exclusive cocktails: expect tacos, chicharrones, sharing platters, all paired with drinks from the Empirical range.
On the Saturday, Josh Eggleton and Rob Howell from Root Bristol will be making dishes from Rob’s new cookbook, while the Sunday lunch feast will be offered up by Toby Gritten of Bristol’s The Pump House. Not only will it be paired with a delicious Bloody Mary from Bloody Drinks, but every ingredient on Sunday diners’ plates will be sourced from within the Chew Valley.
New to Valley Fest this year is a live-fire stage, showcasing the best ingredients from the South West and Wales. Amongst the line-up you’ll find Sam Evans and Shauna Guinn from Hang Fire Southern Kitchen, as well as chef Henry Eldon of The Cauldron Restaurant, and eco-chef and UN World Food Programme Ambassador, Arthur Potts Dawson.
Designed to suit festival-goers of all types – including first-timers and families with kids of all ages – Valley Fest also includes poetry, storytelling and comedy sessions. Held on an organic farm, you’ll also find that Valley Fest is an ethical festival, and includes panel discussions on regenerative farming, farm tours, talks on soil health and more.
COVID-wise, Luke and his team are doing everything they can to keep visitors safe: this year features an extra field to provide even more space, and the festival will be cashless to reduce queues and queueing times. The site has also been redesigned so that there are no enclosed tented venues, and all covered areas will have plenty of ventilation.
Adult weekend tickets are currently priced at £195 (plus booking fee), including camping – click here to secure yours!