You will receive the map and guide outlining the various participating businesses, along with a schedule of when each business is open and offering samples.
The samples provided on the taste trail vary widely depending on the participating businesses, but may include small bites of food, such as cheeses, meats, breads, and desserts, as well as drinks, such as wine or beer.

Overall, the Taste Trail is a fun and engaging way for visitors to sample a wide variety of local food and drink offerings and experience the unique flavours and culture of a particular York.

Tickets are limited to 100 per day – You can either pre-book online or purchase your booklet at the information point while stocks last
Collection of the trail booklet is from the Information Point any day between 10am to 4pm, located on Parliament Street – In front of Claire’s (37 Parliament Street, YO1 8RU)

*Please note:
– Some samples will involve alcohol and therefore under 18s will not be able to participate with all of the stops on the trail.
– While you can collect the booklet between 10am to 4pm, each business has different opening times and some will close as early as 3pm
– Some businesses are closed on specific days.

Did you know that the York Food Festival is a not-for-profit organisation?
Any money generated (from trader fees to ticket sales) goes back into the festival to improve it year after year.
During the festivals we run this demonstration programme for all visitors to the festival to attend.
Please consider making a donation to support this programme and keep it running.

You will receive a guide map listing the various participating businesses, along with a schedule of when each business is open and offering samples.

The trail features around 20 stops to sample – small bites of food or drink samples – which will vary depending on the participating businesses.

Overall, the Taste Trail is a fun and engaging way for visitors to sample a wide variety of local food and drink offerings and experience the unique flavours and culture of a particular York.

Tickets are very limited – You can either pre-book online or purchase your booklet at the information point while stocks last.
Collection of the trail booklet is from the Information Point any day between 10am to 4pm, located on Parliament Street – In front of Claire’s (37 Parliament Street, YO1 8RU)

*Please note:
– Some samples will involve alcohol and therefore under 18s will not be able to participate with all of the stops on the trail.
– While you can collect the booklet between 10am to 4pm, each business has different opening times and some will close as early as 3pm
– Some businesses are closed on specific days.

Explore York finding hidden letters to spell a secret word and finish by tasting some yummy treats at the St Sampson’s Centre Tasting Hub.

A FREE walking tour orientated towards pre-schoolers.

Take a guided tour of York Food and Drink Festival’s offers, sampling tasty treats. Learn a new skill at a demonstration in St Sampson’s Centre and try an array of food from local producers.

More information (current timings provisional) and a booking link to follow

Take a guided tour of York Food and Drink Festival’s offers, sampling tasty treats. Learn a new skill at a demonstration in St Sampson’s Centre and try an array of food from local producers.

More information (current timings provisional) and a booking link to follow

The Assize of Ale and Bread is a medieval tradition that requires the Sheriff of York to visit local pubs, tasting the ale to ensure it is of good quality.

The expensive equipment required for brewing led to a commercial market for these goods, and so a need for regulations to control quality and pricing, therefore the Sheriff summoned their sergeants to visit the city’s ale houses to test the quality of the ale.  Any sergeant who failed to answer the summons was guilty of an offence and liable to fines or time in the pillory, so be warned !

Starting at York Mansion House, the event involves participants visiting several pubs in the city centre with the final stop at the York Food and Drink Festival Marquee in Parliament Street for the closing declaration.

Guests are then invited for a Fish and Chip Supper and an ale sponsored and supported by ‘Mr Chippy’, ‘Brew York’ ‘Dough’ and ‘The Potions Cauldron Group’. All this fun, excitement and tradition for only £20, with all proceeds going to the Lord Mayor’s Charity Fund which this year is local charity ‘York Cares’ and community group ‘Shared York’. The event is held at St Sampson’s Centre, York.

Participants wearing medieval or ancient costumes will be eligible to 10% discount off drinks in all the participating pubs. Should you need inspiration, Festival of Fun on Goodramgate is offering 10% off purchases if you quote “Assize of Ale” !

The events starts at 2pm at York Mansion House where the Town Crier will start proceedings by introducing The Sheriff of York to perform the traditional proclamation. There will also be fanfare in St Helen’s Square provided by YO1 Radio with Owls also in attendance.

Please book the Fish and Chips Dinner separately!