This year’s Alresford Watercress Festival will be bigger and better than ever in 2023, with a new Art and Craft Village joining the celebrations of all things watercress.
Eight members of the Guild will be showing and selling their top quality art and crafts in the Village, hosted by the Watercress Line Heritage Railway at Alresford Station.
The streets of the Georgian town of New Alresford are closed to traffic each year to transform the heart of the town into a family-friendly free (parking charges apply) festival. Visitors can park and ride at various locations or book the train from Ropley. See the Festival Map on the Festival website for the locations of all the activities and more details of transport options.
From street markets, food and drink stalls, cookery demonstrations with renowned world-class chefs, the Hampshire Farmers Market and the Art and Craft Village to a the Kids’ Zone featuring falconry displays and circus skills, there is something for everyone.
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, who keeps the participants in order and the crowd in stitches.
For lovers of beautiful and unique handmade art, craft and design, make sure you saunter down to the Art and Craft Village by Alresford station and meet our makers: Sheila Barrow (textile art); Dorothy Borland (fused glass); Louise Brown (basketmaking); Ron Caddy (handmade and turned wood pens); Vicki Hunt (digital art); Helen Murchie (Harris Tweed textiles); Karen Townsend (original paintings) and Vanessa Wells (illustrations). Chat to the people who design and make the work, find out about their processes and treat yourself or a loved one to something unique.
The Alresford Watercress Festival is open from 10am to 4pm on Sunday 21 May 2023. Full information via the organisers’ website.
