Camping cooking: top-ten tantalising gastronomy spots to visit this summer

Calling all food fanatics! Are you looking for the ultimate camping experience with a gastronomic twist to tease and tempt your taste buds? Well, this summer you're spoilt for choice with an abundance of foodie events happening across the UK. Food festivals are a great way to explore the foodie history of the area and finding inspiration for your camping cooking. Pitchup.com has put together a list of the top ten camping and caravanning sites with nearby food festivals.

1. Winchester Farmers Market - Morn Hill Caravan Club Site – Winchester, Hampshire

Winchester’s farmers' market is officially the largest in the UK, featuring a staggering 95 stalls. Each stall sells the finest local produce, making the market a must-visit destination. Recently voted as the best market in the country by the prestigious Guardian Food Magazine, there is an exceptional range of produce on offer. Nearby is the Morn Hill Caravan Club Site, providing the perfect home from home when visiting Winchester. The site offers a wealth of landscapes to explore and excellent amenities. Winchester Farmers' Market takes place on the second and final Sunday of each month.

2. Ludlow Marches Food and Drink Festival - Orleton Rise Holiday Home Park – Orleton, Ludlow

Since 1995, Ludlow Marches Food Festival has celebrated the high-quality local produce sold in and around Ludlow. The selection is outstanding, from rare meats to fantastic real ales, all produced and sold by people with a passion for food and drink. Special events include the Ludlow Sausage trail, which promises a fun and unique gastronomic experience. The atmosphere is lively and friendly, owing to the festival being operated almost entirely by volunteers. Orleton Rise Holiday Park is located nearby, offering static caravans for hire and space for tourers. There is even a two-acre fishing lake to help visitors relax after a busy day at the food festival. Festival Dates 10-12 September.

3. Organic Food Festival - Baltic Wharf Caravan Club Site - Bristol

This year the Organic Food Festival is attracting one hundred and fifty organic food and drink producers along with some top celebrity chefs who will be on hand to give demos. There’s something for everyone at Bristol Harbourside, with live bands and a kids tasting experience. Just over a mile away is the charming Baltic Wharf Caravan Club Site that offers 55 pitches and great facilities including a zoo and Downs Park. Festival Dates 11-12 September.

4. York Food Festival - Castle Howard Lakeside Holiday Park - York

This year, the York Food Festival is working with Yorkshire's National Parks, the National Trust and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust to promote sustainable producers. There will be several exciting demonstrations including advice from Michelin-starred chefs Andrew Pern and James McKenzie. There is also an interactive celebration of all things made with chocolate. Many restaurants throughout York offer special menus during the festival, so watch out for excellent offers around town at the weekend. Castle Howard Lakeside Park is the perfect place to stay in York. The peaceful site is situated between the village of Conneysthorpe and Castle Howard's Great Lake. Festival Dates 17-26 September.

5. Abergavenny Food Festival - Wernddu Farm Golf Club – Abergavenny, Monmouthshire

Wernddu Farm Golf Club is situated moments away from the Abergavenny Food Festival. This year’s festival will play host to some the brightest lights of the food world. There’s a lot to offer both foodies and families, with hands on workshops, storytelling and comedy.

This Welsh campsite offers good links to public transport and a range of nearby bars and pubs for a chilled-out atmosphere. It’s situated at the heart of Abergavenny’s woodland meaning there’s plenty of hiking and country walks close by. Festival Dates 18-19 September.

6. Cornish Food and Drink festival - Rose Hill Touring Park – Truro, Cornwall, England

Now in its sixth year, the Cornish Food and Drink festival is the largest event in the world dedicated to Cornish food and drink. This year’s festival is free, with no charge for any of the professional demonstrations or activities. Cornwall is proud of its unbeatable range of world–class ingredients and welcomes guests to celebrate their gastronomic heritage. Less than a mile from Porthtowan beach, known for its superb water quality and great for surfing, is Rose Hill Touring Park - a great site to camp on, with a food shop, launderette and electric hook-up points available for tourers. Festival Dates 24-26 September.

7. Nantwich Food Festival - Seacote Park - Winsford, Cheshire

Nantwich Food Festival is primarily an impressive showcase for all that is best in Cheshire produce. However, there are many more attractions to enjoy, such as the fantastic beer festival taking place this year. If wine is more your thing, join in with all the fun and games of “Call my quaff”, an opportunity to sample some fine wines in a light-hearted and informal quiz. Just a short drive away is Seacote Park. The park has excellent facilities such as an on site food shop, a restaurant, bar and tennis courts. Festival Dates 24-26 September.

8. Stone Food and Drink Festival - The Lakeside Tavern – Stone, Staffordshire

The Stone Food and Drink Festival 2010 is set to be the best yet. There are many events to keep visitors entertained, such as the real-ale train, late-night shopping and a special two-day farmers' market. The Hairy Bikers will also be on hand to provide their usual mix of entertainment and advice. The Lakeside Tavern is just minutes away, also in the lovely Staffordshire town of Stone. The Tavern has a mixture of tent pitches, space for tourers and plots for motor homes and is close to several excellent local pubs. Festival Dates: 1-3 October.

9. Dartmouth Food Festival - Dartmouth Camping and Caravanning Club Site - Dartmouth, Devon

This year's Dartmouth food festival is set to be better than ever with a real family feel. There’s a children’s festival, a family tea party and crab festival as well as traditional Devon cream tea. There are plenty of games and events to take part in, such as the pasty-making competition, ensuring that there is never a dull moment at Dartmouth.  The Dartmouth Camping and Caravanning Club site is conveniently located just a five minute drive away from Dartmouth and is set on the beautiful South Hams coast. Festival Dates 20–24 October

10. Wimborne Food Festival - Wilksworth Farm Caravan Park – Wimborne, Dorset

This year the annual food festival at Wimborne is sponsored by Waitrose. The festival celebrates eating and drinking in Dorset and is not to be missed. There is a fantastic food market tent, plenty of tasters and a chefs’ showcase. On top of this there’s plenty of entertainment such as live music and story telling. The Wilksworth Farm Caravan Park is the perfect place to stay, steeped in history the main house, was once owned by Henry VIII and is listed in the Doomsday Book. However the site is decked out with every modern convenience providing a comfortable home from home. Festival Dates 23-24 October.

To search all campsites and holiday parks near the festivals above, try our nifty 'sites near festivals' finder . For an epicurean camping experience, try our gastronomic delight campsites.