Where Is The Yorkshire Dales Cheese Festival And What Local Food Is Available?

A massive celebration of all things cheese is making its return to the stunning landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales. From Friday 10th to Sunday 19th October 2025, the Yorkshire Dales Cheese Festival is set to be a huge event for anyone who gets excited about good food.

It's not just about cheese, though. This is a chance to explore all the amazing local produce the region has to offer, bringing together loads of independent businesses and producers for a ten-day foodie adventure. It's a festival that promises delicious food and drink against the backdrop of some of Britain's most beautiful scenery.

What's all the fuss about?

So, what exactly is a cheese festival that's spread across an entire National Park? Well, instead of being held in a single field, this event is a giant, sprawling affair involving more than 50 local businesses. Pubs, cafes, restaurants, farm shops, and dairies throughout the Yorkshire Dales will be hosting their own special events. It's a brilliant way to see the whole area.

People can expect everything from cheesy tasting menus created by talented chefs to hands-on workshops where they can learn about the craft from the producers themselves. This is a true celebration of the people behind the food. The festival gives visitors a chance to meet the farmers and artisans who create the incredible produce. It's one thing to buy cheese from a supermarket, but it's another thing entirely to chat with the person who made it, learning about their process and their passion. The whole event is designed to be a foodie's dream, offering a genuine taste of the region and its long history of cheese-making.

A proper feast of local produce

While cheese is definitely the star of the show, this festival is a massive shout-out to all the amazing produce that comes out of the Yorkshire Dales. Over the ten days, businesses will be showcasing a huge variety of food, highlighting how well it all goes together. It's a true farm-to-table experience, where everything on the plate has a story connected to the local landscape. The festival's official website puts it perfectly:

"The Festival shines a spotlight on the incredible producers and food and drink businesses in the Yorkshire Dales - cheese very much included! Local businesses in and around the National Park will be serving up special events, menus, and tastings to mark the occasion."

So, what other goodies are on offer? Well, there's a whole pantry of incredible local items.

• Breads: Freshly baked artisan loaves, perfect for pairing with a slice of Wensleydale or a creamy blue cheese.
• Meats: Locally sourced cured meats, pies, and sausages from traditional butchers who know their craft.
• Preserves: Jars of delicious chutneys, pickles, and jams, often made using family recipes passed down through generations.

This focus on the complete range of local food makes the festival a rich and varied experience for everyone, not just die-hard cheese fans.

It's not just about the food

Of course, no great food festival is complete without something fantastic to wash it all down with. The Yorkshire Dales Cheese Festival is just as much a celebration of local drink as it is of food. The region has a brilliant reputation for its breweries and distilleries, and many will be getting involved. Visitors can expect to find a huge selection of craft ales, from traditional bitters to modern IPAs, all brewed locally. These ales are often the perfect partner for a strong, crumbly cheese. And it's not just about beer.

The gin scene has exploded in recent years, and many small-batch producers in the Yorkshire Dales are creating unique gins using local botanicals. Special pairing sessions will be held where experts guide people through matching different gins and ales with various cheeses, explaining how the flavours complement each other. It's a fun way to discover new favourites and understand a bit more about the art of food and drink pairing. The whole event highlights the incredible range of producers making fantastic stuff in the area.

Other bits and bobs from around Yorkshire

For anyone travelling to the festival, there's plenty more happening in and around the region. Getting there is pretty straightforward, with many choosing to arrive by train. Northern Rail services connect to many of the towns that act as gateways to the Dales. Speaking of Northern Rail, the company recently paid a wonderful tribute to rugby league legend Rob Burrow by dedicating a train in his honour, a moving gesture that meant a lot to the local community.

Visitors arriving from nearby cities like Leeds will find lots to do. For instance, there's an exciting project in Leeds to transform one of its most iconic buildings into a spectacular animated love story, which sounds like a must-see. And for those looking to relax after a day filled with cheese and beautiful views, there's always a bit of TV gossip to catch up on. People in pubs across the Dales will surely be chatting about the news that the hit show Peaky Blinders is set for a return to British screens, apparently with a completely new generation of characters. It's this mix of amazing local businesses, community spirit, and cultural buzz that makes a trip to Yorkshire so special.