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The Great British Cheese Festival is coming to Cheltenham in 2005. BritainÂ’s premier cheese event, which incorporates the British Cheese Awards, will take place in Imperial Gardens on 22nd and 23rd October 2005.

Each year thousands of cheese lovers come to the Festival lured by the chance to see, taste and buy over 1,000 British cheeses, attend the Masterclasses and workshops and discover the very best of British cheese, wines, beers and other regional food.

The key events will be held in Imperial Gardens behind the Town Hall in Cheltenham. Britain's Biggest Cheese Market will host around 100 cheese makers from Britain and Ireland offering visitors the chance to taste and buy over 450 cheeses, while the Food from Britain Market adds depth to the event featuring over 40 mainly artisan producers. Visitors can also sample up 30 English wines, award winning fruit wines, ciders, real ales while watching Cheese Tossing.

Educate and inspire

According to the organisers, the aim of the Festival is to educate and inspire consumers with around 35 Masterclasses taking place at the Cheltenham Ladies College. Cheese and Bread-making Demonstrations and other workshops will also be held at various venues around the town.

The organisers believe over 800 cheeses will be entered into the British Cheese Awards this year, confirming its status as BritainÂ’s biggest and most important cheese festival. Juliet Harbutt, Festival Director commented:

"The move to Cheltenham will ensure the Festival continues to grow, reaching new consumers and have a significant impact on rural Britain by increasing consumer and trade awareness of the very best of BritainÂ’s regional cheeses, food and drink."

Beautiful backdrop

Cheltenham's Imperial Gardens will provide a beautiful backdrop, while CheltenhamÂ’s mix of shops, restaurants and cultural attractions will mean that there is something for everyone. Cheltenham's central location, only a mile from the M5, 45 minutes from Birmingham and Bristol and with direct train links to London means that a record number of visitors will be expected at the festival this year. Councillor Rowena Hay, Deputy for Health Wellbeing and Economy, said:

"We are delighted to welcome this prestigious event to Cheltenham. It will complement our existing festival and major event programme, bringing many additional visitors to our town as well as offering Cheltenham residents a great opportunity to sample the very best of British cheeses. Cheltenham's Imperial Gardens will provide a spectacular setting for the festival."

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