Wells’ food festival returns for another year and residents will be able to get a taste of some of the local area’s artisan food and drink producers.

Taking place on Sunday, October 13, more than 200 traders from around Somerset and the south west will come together to showcase their food, drink and homewares, a significant rise from just 30 during the event’s first outing in 2013.

Covering the medieval Market Place, Bishop’s Palace Green & Moat and Recreation Ground, the free one day event historically welcomes 15,000 visitors to enjoy the food and activities. The artisan market will also feature on High Street for the first time.

Along with the artisan market, the festival will once again feature English wines, allowing for the opportunity to taste the wines and talk to the vineyard owners about their products.

Furthermore, there is the Children’s Zone, which includes interactive activities for kids. There will also be a trail and workshops for younger visitors to enjoy.

Food for Thought also returns, allowing for a dedicated area highlighting current food-related social issues.

Charlie Bigham’s has been the headline sponsor for the event for five years running, and will be once again this year as they look to provide a day of free foodie adventures for the whole family, while celebrating Somerset’s rich farming and culinary heritage.

This year, visitors will also have the chance to take advantage of an opportunity that Charlie Bigham’s is providing.

Festival-goers will be able to purchase their very own copy of Charlie’s cookbook, and have it signed by Charlie himself on the day, just weeks after it goes on shelf. All proceeds from the sales at the festival will be donated to the Chefs in Schools organisation, which helps schools completely transform the standards of school food and food education.

Charlie Bigham says: “Over the years a lot of Charlie Bigham’s customers have suggested I write a cookbook – it’s finally happened and has turned out to be a lot of fun. I’ve included all my favourite recipes from home that have been refined over the years and have got the thumbs up from family and friends alike. Delighted to be able to share this with my local community.”

The ready meal producer began in 1996 and is now a feature of many supermarkets across the UK. They have had a kitchen site in Dulcote Quarry since 2016.