Alresford Watercress Festival

The nationally acclaimed annual festival returns for 2024. Attracting thousands of visitors celebrating all things watercress, the streets of this Georgian town are closed to traffic to allow the committee to transform the heart of the town into a family friendly free (*parking charges apply) festival.  

From street markets, food & drink stalls, cookery demonstrations, the Hampshire Farmers Market, and  "Kids Zone", come along and visit some of our very own Hampshire Fare producers.

Cookery Demonstrations take place hourly and the Main Stage in Broad Street offers a full entertainment program with music, dance and much more. One of the local churches, St. John's Church, offers visitors chance  to relax and listen to some excellent musicians and singers.

For many the highlight of the day is the Watercress Eating Championship which takes place at 15:00 on the main stage - a must see event hosted by Paul Rees keeping the participants in order and the crowd in stitches.

The festival opens at 10:00 and closes at 16:00, with the streets of New Alresford being returned to normal within a few hours.

For more information click here