We’re always on the lookout for something new to try both near and far. I came across an advert for a festival called Pub in the Park. A new venture started in 2017 by celebrity chef Tom Kerridge.

What could be more up our street? It promised lots of food tasting, demonstrations by other celebrity chefs, wine, gin & cider tasting and music. Some of our most favourite pastimes 😂.

This year three new venues were added to the agenda, after checking dates and venues, a quick what’s app around friends, six of us were signed up for an adventure to the beautiful city of Bath.

Tickets purchased, transport and campsite booked we set off mid morning on the Friday in glorious sunshine. Taking a leisurely jaunt down and a pit stop on route, we checked into the campsite around 4ish. Immediately connecting up to the electric, the kettle was soon whistling for a lovely cuppa. Deckchairs at the ready we relaxed first with our cuppa, then maybe a gin or two in the evening sunshine before heading to a nearby pub, overlooking the River Avon for dinner.

The alcohol continued to flow as did the banter, all excited for our new adventure. We took a merry stroll “home” to continue the party before hitting the sack after a long day.

Our Pub in the Park tickets were for Saturday evening so we had most of the day to explore historic Bath, which we followed with a lovely bbq in the sunshine, a quick brush up and a stroll to the bus stop to transport us to the festival.

It was a lovely setting overlooking the city, and the main arena was on a slight hill so the stage could be seen by all.

We grabbed a glass of the local cider, chose our vantage point and marked our territory with a picnic blanket, soaking up the atmosphere, the cider and the sun.

We took turns to amble round the plentiful stalls, as we couldn’t have anyone pinching our chosen spot 🤣

Disappointingly Tom Kerridge was not attending the evening session, having done a demonstration during the afternoon. However there was a constant stream of demonstrations by other well known chefs and stalls where you could purchase small tasters of what they had prepared, although at £5 a small dish they were a little dear.

We opted for some free samples and the cheese tasting area was one of the most popular. The poor lad replenishing the dishes ran out of some of his samples quite early in the evening. Oh well we moved down to the wine tasting stall, unsurprisingly!  Very yummy they were and so to continue the experience, we have booked wine tasting evening for the six of us at one of our homes. Looking forward to booking that in the diary, but there will inevitably be a taxi home for four that night.

Glancing at the next stall, we spotted the gin. Sidling over, we were somewhat surprised to see it was run by actor Adam Woodyatt and his wife. Totally unexpected to see him there, but totally delicious gin. Simply called Neat Gin it seems he has a gin passion. His product can be purchased online and is evidently used in one of Tom Kerridges restaurants.

Having consumed a couple of glasses of very refreshing cider, some wine samples and some gin samples, and with hardly enough cheese to absorb it we moved on, perusing the wares as we went.

We found a very nice young man who wanted to tell us all about his fire pits. Although they were gorgeous, they were a tad on the expensive side, but we listened intently to his spiel as he’d offered us a seat around one of his exhibits. (Naughty ladies 😂). After accepting his hospitality, his brochures and given him our assurances we’d have a think about which one we’d like we decided it was time to find some nourishment, before the music started.

This is when we discovered Pieminister and their ingeniously named pies. Several caught our eye, such as the Hurri-Kane, the Mexicow and the Matador. Being a lover of Stilton, or in fact any blue cheese, I opted for the Moo & Blue. Wow what a fabulous deep pie. Filled to the brim with beautiful beef steak and Stilton cheese. Yum, tummy filled we were ready for the bands.

Now back at our picnic blanket, the gang all together, cider in hands we waited for the music to start. First up was Cecil. A new name to me and I was quite surprised to find it was a young lady. She had a great voice and played some fabulous music, warming up the small crowd and drawing more into the stage area. Afterwards she strolled through the crowd, whilst the next band was setting up, chatting to people. We called her over to congratulate her on her set. A lovely lady and we discovered we will see her again at Car Fest in August.

The sun was still shining down on us as the Stereo MCs took to the stage. I wasn’t sure if I’d heard their music but along with the crowd we were soon up dancing to memorable songs such as Elivate my Mind and Step it Up. I really should take more notice to the name of the band when I listen to the radio. They were fab, fast, entertaining and very interactive with the crowd. The arena was buzzing, up dancing, hugging and kissing as the sun started to go down.

All too soon, the last band of the evening, Razorlight, took to the stage. The whole crowd were now on their feet, dancing and singing along at the top of their alcohol infused voices.

Their set was only an hour long, but they squeezed in all of their most popular songs and as the clock struck 10.30, Tom Kerridge finally appeared on stage to close the precedings, thanking us for coming and sending us on our weary way home, so as not to upset too many of the local residents trying to sleep.

It was a fantastic venue, with some great stalls and fabulous music to round the evening off. I do feel however that the tickets were overpriced, compared to other events. It is a new venture, so it will get better as time passes. We had a great evening, with wonderful friends, but may wait a  few years before we attend again.