Thousands of visitors are expected to descend on Corfe Castle in Dorset, as the popular food and drink festival returns for its biggest event yet, bringing together almost 30 producers from across the county.
The third annual Corfe Castle Food and Drink Festival takes place on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th July 2026, with organisers promising a packed weekend of local produce, international street food, artisan drinks and live music.
Set in the keep of Corfe Castle, the festival is growing bigger every year
Expected to attract record crowds
Organised by Love It Local in association with the National Trust, and set against the spectacular backdrop of one of Dorset’s most famous landmarks, the festival has grown rapidly since it was launched and is expected to attract record crowds this year.
The festival will officially be opened on Saturday morning by James Weld of the Lulworth Estate and Deputy Lieutenant of Dorset.
With a weekend of perfect weather forecast, organisers are hoping to build on the success in 2025 when some 3,000 people attended the two day event.
Dorset based Indian food specialists Angithi will be back by popular demand in 2026
Cuisine from around the world
Visitors will be able to sample cuisine from around the world, with everything from Indian curries to Thai dishes and Greek gyros to Italian macaroni cheese.
Purbeck produce will include a full menu from Swanage based Crabapple Catering, as well as Jurassic Coast burgers, steaks and sausages from local beef and pork, and burgers and koftas from Dorset reared lamb.
Alongside the street food will be an extensive range of local producers selling artisan bread, handmade preserves, local honey, chilli sauces, fudge, Turkish delight and Purbeck ice cream.
The festival itself is free, although normal National Trust admission fees to Corfe Castle still apply.
Purbeck’s Salt Pig was one of many local food producers who took part in the 2025 festival
Supporting local business
Malcolm Lewis-Fry, director of Love It Local said:
“The festival is getting nicely established now. We have more stalls than we have ever had – 29 food and drink stalls, which is literally the limit we can have in the castle keep, plus one or two charity stalls on the slope too.
“Supporting local businesses has always been at the heart of what we do at Love It Local, and this festival is a wonderful showcase of the quality of food and drink produced across Purbeck and Dorset.
“At least half of the exhibitors insist on coming back year after year, but we do try to get some new stalls to add to the experience, and this year the drinks side is getting stronger.
“As a beer drinker I’m looking forward to Sandbanks Brewery joining our festival this year, along with gins, rum, spirits, tequila, cider and frozen limoncello, which should go down very well!”
Horty’s Honey, of Sandford, will be back at the 2026 festival
Dorset folk band State of Undress will be performing a song written in honour of the heroine of Corfe Castle, Lady Mary Bankes
“Farm to fork philosophy”
Live entertainment will run throughout both days, featuring local musicians including Bob Carter, Angharad and Simon performing as Final Offer, and blues guitarist Jono.
Dorset folk band State of Undress, who will also be appearing, have written a song about the heroine of Corfe Castle, Lady Bankes, and feel it is fitting to sing it in the castle grounds.
Malcolm Lewis-Fry added:
“Corfe Castle is the perfect place to host incredible food and drink produce from across the Isle of Purbeck – what could be better than a great atmosphere, fantastic food, lively music and brilliant views?
“There’s nothing better than eating and drinking good local produce. It’s the farm to fork philosophy, keeping that distance as short as possible to support local producers and keep road miles down.
“We are very fortunate that there are so many amazing local farmers and food companies in Purbeck and South Dorset and we look forward to welcoming them to Corfe Castle.
“And we are looking forward to a perfect weekend of weather for it – the last two festivals were not too bad, it was a bit rainy at times in our debut year and perhaps a touch too warm last year, but 2026 should be just right at about 29 degrees for the weekend.”
Purbeck Ice Cream will be on hand to help visitors stay cool in the sunshine
Concert nights at the castle
Love It Local will also be bringing musicians from Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO) to perform at Corfe Castle for the first time, across three evenings on Friday 24th, Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th July 2026.
The concerts will see ensembles from the BSO take audiences on a series of musical journeys, from the greatest music of the stage and screen, to an 80s spectacular, and a symphonic adventure through the natural world.
All three concerts take place in the outer bailey of Corfe Castle and tickets, priced from £30, are already selling quickly.
Swanage Railway will be running additional evening services from Swanage and Norden on BSO concert nights to help audiences travel to and from the castle.
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra brings three open air concerts to Corfe Castle later in July 2026
BSO On Your Doorstep
BSO chief executive Dougie Scarfe said:
“There’s nothing like an open-air concert – it’s such a lovely way to make memories with friends and family, and bringing this live music to Corfe Castle will be unique.
“Our conductor Pete Harrison will lead singers and BSO string players through a programme including the music of George Michael, Bonnie Tyler, Elton John, Ultravox, Toto, David Bowie, Madonna and many more, all set against a light show on the castle walls.”
Further information
- Full details of the food and drink festival are on the Love It Local website
- Tickets for Summer Nights at the Castle concerts can be booked online
