‘Attracts visitors from across the country’
It’s a date in the diary for the region’s gourmets and connoisseurs alike as The Taste East Devon Festival returns for its fifth year as one of the region’s most exciting culinary celebrations.
The event is running from 13th to 21st September 2025 and will see visitors enjoy a nine day festival which promises to showcase the very best of East Devon’s food, drink and hospitality.
From vineyard tours and foraging feasts to artisan tastings and family-friendly days, the festival is a packed programme of unique events hosted by some of the area’s most iconic producers, chefs and venues.
Taste East Devon brings together the region’s rich foodie heritage with fresh new flavours and unforgettable experiences.
‘We’re thrilled to be celebrating the fifth Taste East Devon Festival with another jam-packed calendar of events,’ says Michael Dart, founder of Darts Farm and co-founder of the festival.
‘It’s a joy to come together and shine a spotlight on the incredible small-scale producers and family run businesses that we have right here in East Devon.’
The programme includes a chance to step into the vines with Pebblebed Vineyardand Lily Farm Vineyard. Both are offering multiple tours throughout the festival where you can sip and stroll through some of East Devon’s most beautiful wine.
There’s a chance to enjoy an exclusive Vineyard Tour & Pool House Lunch at Lympstone Manor on 17th September. Organisers say the event will combine fine wine, food and views of the Exe Estuary in one truly luxurious experience.
‘The festival highlights East Devon’s incredible food and drink’
Adding to this landscape-led lineup is The Donkey Sanctuary’s ‘Bray Beyond Borders’ on 18th September which allows for a classic Devon cream tea experience – all set in the rolling hills of the Jurassic Coast.
The PIG-at Combe is arranging a Kitchen Garden Tour on multiple dates so you can see how this renowned venue grows the ingredients that inspire its ‘field-to-fork’ menu.
Or, if you’re looking for some toe tapping delight then enjoy an evening of tunes and tipples in the PIG’s atmospheric garden hideaway. The Folly Music Night is taking place on 19th September).
Following the beat, Coldharbour Field Kitchen offers an equally vibrant evening of live music, woodfired pizza and tapas (multiple dates).
The festival launches on 13th September with A Fungi Forager’s Feast at River Cottage. Join the team as you forage for wild mushrooms across their scenic grounds, before gathering around the table to enjoy a fungi-focused feast that celebrates the wild side of the season.
Down in the cider orchards of Courtney’s of Whimple, the ever-popular ‘Big Pick’ is returning on 20th and 21st September. It’s an immersive weekend of apple picking, pressing, live music, food and community fun – all set among ancient apple trees.
Another festival favourite, High Grange, welcomes guests to its Fire School on 18th September where you can engage in a full day of fire-cooking, food, learning and laughter set in a stunning woodland kitchen.
Fans of craft drinks and small-batch produce will have plenty to savour this year. Join the team at Bar Buoy for an expertly curated Cocktail Tasting (18th September) and get hands-on with flavour pairings and mixology.
East Devon: a ‘top foodie destination in the UK’
Beer lovers can dive into a behind-the-scenes Otter Brewery Tour & Dinner(17th September). They’ll be providing you with plenty of tastings and tales from the team.
For coffee connoisseurs, The Coffee Factory will be providing guided Coffee Tasting on the 15th & 16th. It’ll be led by their expert roasters and it’ll give you the chance to sample ethically sourced beans roasted right here in East Devon.
Also on the tasting trail is Lyme Bay Winery which is joining forces with Quicke’s Cheese for an indulgent Wine and Cheese Pairing Tasting.
The event is taking place on multiple dates and organisers say it’s a must for lovers of bold flavours and local craftsmanship.
The Farm Table at Darts Farm will be hosting a special East Devon Wine Dinner, celebrating the region’s finest wines with a thoughtfully curated menu and stories from the producers themselves.
‘The festival highlights East Devon’s incredible food and drink, and hospitality sector and focuses on seasonal and local produce of highest quality,’ says Cllr Nick Hookway, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Sport, Leisure and Tourism at East Devon District Council,
‘Now in its fifth year, we are proud to support an initiative that positions East Devon as a top foodie destination in the UK and attracts visitors from across the country to experience the best of food, drink and hospitality.’
Image: Becky Craven
Organisers explain the Taste East Devon Festival is being made possible due to the collaboration of local businesses and a passion among the community to promote the region’s seasonal and sustainable produce.
The nine day celebration is supported by founder members Darts Farm, Lympstone Manor, The PIG-at Combe, Otter Brewery, The Donkey Sanctuary and East Devon National Landscape.
Organisers are thankful to sponsors East Devon District Council, NFU Mutual Tiverton & Honiton Agencies, SunGift Solar and Goosemoor Foodservice.
Breaktime News has previously reported on The East Devon Food Festival among a roundup of events happening in the region.
