If the January blues are getting you down, here’s something to put a spring in your step –the 2026 Alresford Watercress Festival will be back on Sunday 17 May. Now in its 22nd year, the annual celebration to mark the start of the UK watercress season will offer all the popular attractions you know and love, but with a few additions to ring the changes.
‘More watercress, they cried, so there will be! The Watercress Company is opening Manor Farm to tours throughout the day, with live entertainment while you wait. For the first time, cars can be parked on the farm for £15, which also entitles visitors to a tour, the live entertainment, and a return trip to Alresford on the shuttle bus to enjoy the rest of the festival. All money raised on the farm will go to charity. Only parking tickets for Manor Farm can be pre-booked on the festival website – other car parks run on a first come first serve basis on the day.
Tom Amery, MD of The Watercress Company, says: “We have been involved with the festival from day one and regard it as a vital way to educate the public about this incredible superfood. We ran a handful of tours last year, but they proved so popular that we decided to dedicate staff to them for the whole day so hundreds more people could get a better understanding of how watercress is grown. We hope to generate several thousand pounds from the parking fee, all of which will go to Abby’s Heroes, the festival’s official charity.”
After many incredible years leading the Cookery Theatre, Davina Tibbetts has retired, leaving behind a hugely respected legacy.
Taking up the mantle is Natasha Dochniak of Hampshire Fare, who brings an unrivalled knowledge of Hampshire’s food scene and its outstanding producers. Natasha will welcome local chefs and artisans to the stage for engaging, live demonstrations that educate and entertain audiences, including creative ideas for cooking with Hampshire’s iconic watercress.
Talking of creative uses for watercress, the hugely popular World Watercress Eating Championships will move from 3pm to 1pm. Organisers hope that potential contestants who previously couldn’t stay until the end of the day will now be able to participate, while the festival will have a musical finale to bring events to a tidier conclusion!
Visitors will still be able to explore the hundreds of food and craft stalls lining the streets, watch the crowning of the Watercress King and Queen and their procession down Broad Street as they dispense bunches of freshly harvested watercress, while live music, cookery demos, kids’ entertainment, and, we hope, the sunshine will all return!
As ever, the watercress festival remains free to attend, but there are car parking charges. This year, East Street Parking will be open to more festivalgoers, offering the chance to park just 200 metres from the festival entrance for only £5. As this is a field, it may not be ideal for those with mobility needs. East Street Parking will also be home to our visiting goats and hawks, so you can park up and be right on site to see them first.
Alternatively, the popular Park and Ride option from Ropley on the Watercress Line is available; see www.watercressfestival.org for all travel and parking details.
Claire May, Festival Manager, says: “Plans are well underway to make our 22nd festival the best yet. The organisers, and all our amazing volunteers can’t wait to welcome everyone back to Alresford for another day of mayhem and wonderful watercress! It’s a fantastic day out for the whole family, and we hope to see you there.”
For more information and for regular updates about the festiva,l visit www.watercressfestival.org or follow our social media:
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