We've been considering taking out membership again just recently, mainly because it's a lovely place, not too far away, to take Archie for a good walk. Mick was supposed to be playing cricket yesterday but the match was called off due to a waterlogged pitch so we took the opportunity to head off and get it sorted out.
As it happens, the Lotherton Hall Food & Drink Festival is being held in the grounds this weekend so we decided to have a look around whilst we were there. The admission charge for this is included in the normal entry fee, so it was included in the price we paid for our annual membership.
There were local producer and craft stalls selling all manner of delicious goodies to take home and most of the stalls were offering tasters. I was very tempted by the cupcakes but I was good, I resisted, though I doubt I'd have managed it had Eleanor been with us.
The festival bar was serving locally brewed beers as well as Pimms, Prosecco and cocktails, and live music was being played on various stages around the site.
Coffee and other non alcoholic beverages were available for those not wishing to partake.
There were lots of activities for children including kids cookery classes as well as a marquee offering free craft sessions, and even a funfair for all to enjoy.
We headed over to the Hot Food Court where street food dishes from all around the world were on offer, however, just look at the sky as we approached. We had a quick look round taking in the wonderful aromas, but decided to head back to the car sooner rather than later and just as we got there, the heavens opened.
I feel so sorry that events such as these are often caught out by the weather. The festival continues today and tomorrow, it's been rather drizzly this morning but if it dries up, we may just head back to have another look and to give Archie a nice walk. Eleanor missed out yesterday as she was at her boyfriend's, but I'm sure she'd like to come with us too. I doubt I'll resist the cupcakes this time!
That looks like a great event and visit.
ReplyDeleteWe enjoyed it, it's just a shame about the weather.
DeleteIt looks like a wonderful festival, so glad you had fun, hope you can go back with better weather today.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Meredith
We didn't make a return visit, it rained nearly all day, but we enjoyed what we did see on Saturday so we didn't miss out completely.
DeleteIt is a shame that the weather so often disrupts these events, they take so much organising. But many is the time we've sought refuge in a tea tent or plant tent somewhere or other so perhaps profits don't suffer as much as they could!
ReplyDeleteI really do feel bad for the organisers of these events when the weather doesn't play ball. I suppose people do still attend but it's always much nicer when the sun's shining.
DeleteI love events like this, nice to be able to pop back and enjoy it again for a second time today. It is such a shame when events get spoiled due to the weather.
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoyed the cupcakes!!
Lisa x
I like events like these too, always good for a day out. We didn't end up going back yesterday, it was such a drizzly day, and today isn't much better.
DeleteI do love Food Festivals and I hope you manage to return to the one at Lotherton Hall during this weekend. I'm sure you'll make good use of your renewed membership over the next year too.
ReplyDeleteWe didn't go back yesterday, the weather just wasn't up to it, but we'll get plenty of use out of the membership over the coming year. It's a lovely place for a walk with Archie and close by too.
DeleteThe wind and heavy showers have certainly taken their tole on car boot sales around here.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to believe that we're now in to May, I do wish the weather would catch up.
DeleteThis looks like so much fun...but chilly....id love to visit sometime.
ReplyDeletexxx
It was rather chilly and once those clouds burst, it was very wet too.
DeleteLooks like an interesting festival and pity about the weather, but you never know what a day will eventually be like. Hope it was a better day Sunday and you had a good weekend. You could bake 'healthy' cupcakes.(giggle) Take care.
ReplyDeleteThe weather was worse yesterday so we didn't end up going back, it's a shame as I'm sure lots of people will have been put off going. Healthy cupcakes? Where's the fun in those?
DeleteThe weather sure looks dark in your part of the world. What a shame for the food producers. The forecast is better for tomorrow, I hope you get to sample some of the foods.
ReplyDeleteThe weather's been rubbish here just lately. It was worse yesterday, it rained for most of the day and though it's dry, so far, today, it's very dull.
DeleteWe haven't been to Lotherton for ages.
ReplyDeleteIt's a couple of years since our last membership ran out so we hadn't been for a while. It's a lovely place for a walk though.
DeleteIt sounds as though you still managed to have a good time despite the weather, I suspect a lot of the bank holiday festivities will be spoilt by the weather.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad we went when we did, we managed a little time before the heavens opened. It's always a gamble organising outdoor events, even in summer the weather can't be guaranteed in the UK.
DeleteWe have similar event scheduled for the 29th May, so hopefully there is a better chance of fine weather! These events rely a huge amount on good weather. Their takings must be a lot less when it rains. No plant stalls at yours? (More tempting than cupcakes...)
ReplyDeleteI hope the weather cooperates for your event, though that's another bank holiday so I shouldn't hold your breath. There were a few craft stalls which were nothing to do with food but no plant stalls at all.
DeleteIt looks like a place well worth visiting, especially when there's an event like this on. If you went again I hope that the weather was okay and you enjoyed the cupcakes. Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteWe've always enjoyed our visits to Lotherton Hall so I'm pleased we've got round to renewing our membership, we'll make sure we make the most of it and Archie will be pleased as he loves his walks there. We didn't end up going back yesterday, the weather just wasn't up to it, but I'm sure my waistline will be thankful.
DeleteLooks like you had a great time, other than the rain bit. It's lucky you got the annual membership - I feel bad for the people that paid to get in specifically on that day only to be rained out part way through.
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame, as you say, for those who visited specifically for the festival. There were a few marquees though so I should imagine that the majority of people would have been able to shelter from the rain. There's also the house to visit.
DeleteThat sounds like a lot of fun, Jo. We used to enjoy going to an annual food festival before we had our children. We would go early and eat our way through the whole thing. It was good because you could walk off the food over the day and it was easy to feel hungry again before long. :)
ReplyDeleteI think making a day of it is the best way to approach these type of festivals, especially if the weather's fine. It looked as though many people had come for the day, it's a shame that the weather wasn't very good.
DeleteLooks like a lovely day out! Hope you keep enjoying your membership with more great visits!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure we will, it isn't very far from us so it's a good place to go just for an hour or two to give Archie a good walk.
DeleteI wondered why it looked so quiet - maybe others had noticed the clouds as well. Hopefully the weather was better for the other days! :o)
ReplyDeleteThere were quite a lot of people there but the festival was spread through most of the grounds so it was well spread out and didn't feel packed. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't very good on Sunday or Monday either so we didn't return, such a shame.
DeleteLooks like a great day out despite the weather! :)
ReplyDeleteWe had a nice time but I think we left at the right time, I'm glad we didn't get caught in the rain.
DeleteI just love events like this ...
ReplyDeleteUp and down the UK there were great events over the Bank Holiday weekend, which I feel sure many enjoyed.
Yes, of course we have the great British weather to contend with - but then I think we are used to that!!!
Hope May has started well for you and the family.
All the best Jan
These type of events are fun to go to, especially when you can make a day of it in nice surroundings. We have to get used to the weather in this country, we don't really have an option, it's a shame that many outdoor events end up spoilt because of it though.
DeleteI love food festivals but any festival is never quite the same in the rain. I think you had wetter weather than us over the bank holiday it rained all day on Sunday but the other days were dry and Saturday the sun shone! I am sending it your way ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you, it's arrived. It's lovely and sunny today, it's a shame it didn't arrive a little earlier for the bank holiday but I'm hoping that now it's here, it's here to stay.
DeleteWhat a lovely day out! I would have enjoyed that and scoffed a couple of cup cakes! Our weather does ruin so may events....it's a real shame!xxx
ReplyDeletePerhaps it was for the best that we didn't get to go back, the cupcakes were too tempting.
Delete