Produce markets, masterclasses, cooking demos and family-friendly entertainment all make fantastic ingredients for a day out. Discover six of the best food festivals in Mid Wales.

A

Welsh Food Festival

Welsh Food Festival in Welshpool, Mid Wales

September

This two-day festival is set in the lovely gardens of Glansevern Hall near Welshpool in Powys and features a full programme of cookery demonstrations. Bryn Williams and Luke Thomas, the talented lad who’s aiming to become the youngest ever Michelin starred chef, have taken part in the past. It won’t be held in 2013, but it will be back in 2014.

B

Brecon Beacons Food Festival

Brecon Food Festival, Mid Wales

October

On a Saturday in early October, Brecon Market Hall is transformed into an emporium of all things Welsh and delicious for this fun food event. The programme includes celebrity cook-offs, free tastings and kids’ cooking competitions. The market hall is also the venue for Brecon’s monthly farmers’ market.

C

Hay-on-Wye Food Festival

June

Hay-on-Wye knows how to throw a good party and its one-day Food Festival, held on a Saturday a few weeks after the end of the main Hay Festival, is certainly lots of fun. It’s limited to just 40 local producers to ensure the quality is the best, and there’s entertainment from local brass bands, male voice choirs and folk musicians.

D

Mid Wales Beer Festival

Mid Wales Beer Festival in Llanwrtyd Wells, Mid Wales

November

This is one of the many festivals held in the tiny town of Llanwrtyd Wells each year. It lasts a whole ten days at the end of November, giving you plenty of time to sample a good number of the many real ales on offer at the town’s friendly pubs. The hub of the action is the Neuadd Arms Hotel, home of the award-winning Heart of Wales Brewery.

E

Royal Welsh Winter Fair

Royal Welsh Winter Fair in Builth Wells, Mid Wales

December

The massive Royal Welsh Showground near Builth Wells gets festive in the run-up to Christmas with this cheery winter agricultural show. While the livestock breeders battle it out for the top prizes, you can browse the food hall for Christmas treats such as cheese, cookies and handmade artisan chocolates.

F

Brecon Beacons Summer Fayre

August

Celebrate the August Bank Holiday by sampling some delicious Welsh food and drink at this very popular three-day festival, held at the National Park Visitor Centre in Libanus, near Brecon. The organisers claim that the produce on offer travels far fewer miles to reach the event than the vast majority of visitors. Jugglers and clowns provide entertainment.