Visitors to one of the region’s most popular food festivals are being encouraged to plan their journey in advance, with an additional park and ride site now making it even easier to join in the fun.
Seaham Food Festival is set to transform the County Durham seaside town into a food lover’s paradise this weekend, with more than 100 traders selling a vast array of tempting treats, and cookery demonstration from some of the nation’s favourite chefs.
The free Durham County Council event will also serve up a fun-filled family entertainment programme of live music, theatre, crafts and comedy, when it returns on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 August.
As always, the open-air cookery theatre will be the place to be, and this year’s chefs hope to inspire everyone to reach for their aprons when they get home.
Saturday’s line-up includes television chefs and social media cooking stars Dean Edwards and Chris Baber, and standout Channel 4 Great British Bake Off contestant Nelly Ghaffar. And on Sunday, visitors can look forward to demonstrations from world-renowned chocolatier Paul A Young, reigning Great British Bake Off champion Georgie Grasso, and MasterChef Champion of Champions Ping Coombes.
They will be joined by festival favourite Chris Bavin who is hosting the cookery theatre across the two days.
Watching so many exciting recipes being brought to life is sure to whet the appetites of festivalgoers. Luckily, there will be a vast selection of street food on offer throughout the weekend from some of the region’s best independent traders.
From loaded fries, mac and cheese, burgers and warming curries, to sweet and savoury crepes, gourmet cupcakes and gooey brownies – all tastes are catered for. Visitors can also stock up on high quality spices, condiments and other ingredients to create their own culinary masterpieces at home.
Cllr Lyndsey Fox, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: “Seaham Food Festival is fast approaching, and we’re all set for two days of fantastic food and entertainment. As well as boosting the economy by attracting thousands of visitors into County Durham, events like this create a sense of togetherness, and we’re really looking forward to seeing everyone enjoying themselves over the weekend.
“We are expecting the event to be busy and so we are reminding people to plan their travel arrangements in advance so they can enjoy the festivities to the full.”
Park and ride buses will operate between the festival site and Spectrum Business Park (SR7 7TT) as well as a new pick-up location at the Seaham Car Boot Sale site, located on the B1287 Ryhope to Seaham Road (SR7 7AG).
Spectrum Business Park is an accessible site and will have accessible buses operating. Visitors without accessibility needs are therefore encouraged to park at the Seaham Car Boot Sale site to ensure there are enough accessible spaces and buses at Spectrum for those who need them.
Buses will depart from Spectrum Business Park and Seaham Car Boot Sale site from 9.30am on Saturday and Sunday. Return buses will set off from the same location visitors are dropped off at, which will be the top of Harbour Road for Spectrum Business Park buses and opposite the Masonic Temple in North Road for Seaham Car Boot Sale buses. The last returning buses will depart at 5.30pm on Saturday and 4.30pm on Sunday.
Return tickets cost £2.50 for adults, 50 pence for children aged five to 15 years old, and are free for those under five. Passengers can pay by cash and card at Spectrum and by card only at the car boot sale site.
Town centre car parks will be open, but they are expected to be busy, and visitors are being advised to use the park and ride service or public transport where possible.
Drivers are also being asked to be mindful of diversions due to road closures for the event.
North Terrace (B1287) from the Tempest Road junction to the Marquess Point junction will be closed on Saturday 2 August from 5am to 8pm and on Sunday 3 August from 5am to 11pm.
Terrace Green Car Park will also be closed from midnight on Thursday 31 July to Monday 4 August 2024.
Diversions will be in place and will be signposted.
A full list of road closures and traffic information is available at https://www.durham.gov.uk/SeahamFoodFestivalTravel
