We discovered The Great Dorset Chilli Festival last year through friends and were quite amazed by the huge crowds entering the event, then thrilled by the number of stands and variety of chilli products on offer, most of which you can ‘try before you buy’…getting those taste buds dancing.
So this year we booked in advance online saving £4.00 and invited some more friends along to join us with a bag and a pocket full of cash.
The event takes place at Wimborne St Giles with the great St Giles House offering a beautiful backdrop to the occasion. St Giles House has been the home of the Earls of Shaftesbury since 15th century and is on the Register of Historic Houses, Parks and Gardens.
This is truly a day out with over 80 Exhibitors, a Chilli Sauce competition, talks on growing Chilli plants, Chilli cook off competition, cooking demonstrations, music tent, falconry display and a finale of a chilli eating competition. There is also plenty of hot food and refreshments.
For the children there was a huge bouncy castle, a fun quad bike ride with kids in mini trailers and lots of entertainers.
My only suggestion would be to allow caravans and camping on the site so next year we can stay the whole weekend.