Food and drink festivals, museums, bustling eateries… the UK’s cities and towns offer plenty of opportunity for feasting

The Great British Beer Festival, Birmingham

If you love a pint, then join thousands of fellow beer lovers for The Great British Beer Festival in Birmingham’s NEC from 5-9 August to sample a wide selection of unique ales, ciders, perries and craft beers from around the world. It’s immense, with interactive tastings, new flavours, live music and classic pub games.

Future of Food Exhibition, London

What if science is the only way of putting food on our plates in decades to come? A new free interactive exhibition at London’s Science Museum explores this and more. Get a glimpse of the food of the future and the past – on display are objects including a 3,500-year-old fermented sourdough and the first beef steak grown outside a cow.

Wingfest, London, Bristol, Sheffield, Manchester and Birmingham

If you’re serious about poultry, there’s no better place to be than Wingfest, a three-day extravaganza celebrating the best ‘drums and flats’ the UK has to offer. Expect lively atmosphere in London (25-27 July), Bristol (5-7 September), Sheffield (17-19 October), Manchester (19-21 September) and Birmingham (15-17 August), with music and competitions such as the Lava Wing Challenge, where contestants try to eat eight of the hottest wings.

Bakers and Baristas Walking Tour, Edinburgh

Get the insider view on the city’s best independent bakes, brews and bites by downloading Forever Edinburgh’s Ultimate Edinburgh Menu, an alternative take on a tourist-trail map created in collaboration with those who know the food scene best.

The Family Foodie Walking Tour, Liverpool

Go beyond the tourist spots and into the city’s thriving culinary scene with a family-friendly guided walking tour that highlights Liverpool’s food culture. You’ll be led to hidden gems, historic markets and local eateries, for everything from Scouse stew to sweet treats.

Bolton Food and Drink Festival, Bolton

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Bolton Food and Drink Festival and there’s a lot of fun planned. Across 22-25 August, you’ll see foodie favourite James Martin (and others) cook for the crowds, iconic 90s boy band East 17 take to the stage, and 200 artisan stalls line the streets. Most fun is the Faulty Towers Dining Experience at the Albert Halls where Basil, Manuel and co will serve a side of chaos with your three-course meal.

Meatopia On Fire, London

Smoking is most definitely allowed at Meatopia On Fire, the legendary fiery four-day feast taking place from 28-31 August in east London’s Tobacco Dock. It’s all about live-fire cooking, with a stellar line-up of chefs, including Andrew Clarke from Acme Fire Cult, Drew Snaith of SESTA, Jamie Pickles of Stow. in Manchester and Keshia Sakarah of Caribe, cooking ethically sourced meat over wood or charcoal. Come hungry – the smoky aromas, roaring firepits and promise of epic caveman-style feasts will leave you salivating.

Royal Kitchens at Kew Palace, London

Check out the workings of a royal kitchen at Kew Palace, home to ‘mad’ King George III, Queen Charlotte and their 15 children. Virtually untouched since they fell out of use after the queen’s death in the early 19th century, the kitchen offer an authentic glimpse into Georgian culinary life.

City of Arcades Food Experience, Cardiff

Cardiff boasts seven Victorian and Edwardian shopping arcades and this foodie walking tour takes you to all of them, pausing at seven food spots to enjoy seven dishes plus two glasses of wine.