What's On
Ping Coombes 12pm at the Town Hall
As part of Shaftesbury Feastival 2025 The Kitchen Table presents a series of chef demos and chats starting with Ping Coombes.
Ping was a home cook who won Masterchef in 2014. More recently she won the Masterchef Champion of Champions title and has appeared as a judge when the critics took on the Masterchef challenge.
Since winning Masterchef Ping has started her own brand of homemade Malaysian ready meals which are distributed in Shaftesbury by The Kitchen Table. She'll be at Feastival sharing her love of Malaysian cookery, cooking up a storm and telling us all about what it's like to be a Masterchef.
Ping's book Malaysia will be available to buy at the event along with her chilli oil and sambal.
Due to limited seating all our demos are ticketed
Rachel de Thample from River Cottage 1.15pm at the Town Hall
As part of Shaftesbury Feastival 2025 we're delighted to offer you the chance to join writer and chef Rachel de Thample as she talks about her latest River Cottage Handbook Bees and Honey.
Rachel will guide you through a multitude of ways you can protect and attract these precious pollinators. She'll guide you through detecting different flower pollens in your honey and share recipes where this precious ingredient shines. There will also be creative ideas for using beeswax and propolis.
Philippa Davis 3pm at the Town Hall
Philippa Davis 3pm at the Town Hall
Philippa Davis is a chef and food writer. She grew up near Shaftesbury on a small farm with her extended family.
Philippa writes for BBC Food the Deepest Books series which has explored Dorset, Wilshire and Somerset and has a monthly cookery column in The Field Magazine. In 2021 she made her TV debut as the expert food judge on Channel 4’s ‘Beat The Chef’. Since then she has also appeared as the taste expert for serveral Channel 5 documentaries. In 2024 her 6 part series ‘A Taste of Dorset’ was released on Amazon Prime which champions the incredible local food and drink producers of the area.
Thrilled to be invited to appear at the Shaftesbury Feastival, Philippa will be sharing some of her favourite recipes using a selection of fabulous local produce.
The Famous Cheese Race 10 - 2 on Gold Hill
The Famous Cheese Race 10 - 2 on Gold Hill
The Famous Cheese Race 10 - 2 on Gold Hill
The legendary Gold Hill Cheese Race is back as part of this year's Feastival celebrations, on Sunday 4th May. This is your chance to race up the famously steep cobbles of Gold Hill...all while carrying a hefty round of 'cheese'.
Whether you're racing solo, teaming up with mates, or cheering on from the sidelines, it's completely free to enter, and this year, everyone who takes part gets a special Gold Hill Cheese Race medal to take home.
One of Shaftesbury's most brilliantly bonkers traditions, there are categories for all ages, with different cheese weights - from proper 25kg truckles to lightweight kids' versions.
While there is no entry fee, we encourage all participants to support two local charities, The Brace and Determined Company and Boobs - Breast Cancer Awareness by making a donation.
Exclusive merch available too - all profits go to charity.
Races take place throughout the day - sign up by clicking on the link
Maypole Dancing outside the Town Hall
The Famous Cheese Race 10 - 2 on Gold Hill
The Famous Cheese Race 10 - 2 on Gold Hill
The Maypole is up and the fabulous Steps in Time will be performing the traditional maypole dancing outside the Town Hall at 10.30 to 11 and again at 12.45 to 1.15
Charlie Greenwood at Shaftesbury Abbey 3pm
'Sounds of the Sixties' performed by Charlie Greenwood
A dynamic mix of some of the most iconic music of the 1960s, from Rat Pack, James Bond and Motown classics to Americana & Country; Roots & Folk Rock to British Invasion. Grab a drink and be transported back to the days of Woodstock, for a lazy afternoon in the beautiful setting of the Shaftesbury Abbey Gardens from 3pm - refreshments served, free admission and pass the hat!
The Byzant Walk 2pm from the Town Hall
You are cordially invited to take part in this glorious slice of Shaftesbury history - the Byzant Walk!
The Byzant tradition dates back hundreds of years - a walk from the town centre to Enmore Green to thank Gillingham for access to its springs. Over the centuries it’s been revived, retired, and reimagined… but this year, it’s back once more as part of Shaftesbury Feastival.
Join in from 2pm outside the Town Hall. Period costume is encouraged but optional! Led by Chair of Gold Hill Museum Elaine Barratt, the walk is full of curious customs and stories, including a certain mysterious object that must be carried through the streets…