A food festival in Weymouth has been named among the best 10 in the UK - according to a prestigious national travel guide magazine.

The Dorset Seafood Festival features on the Condé Nast Traveller unranked list of the ten best food festivals across the country.

Festivals featured include acclaimed events in parks, on beaches, and palace gardens “peppered with talented chefs from cult favourites to Michelin-star restauranteurs serving the tastiest dishes.”

Dorset Echo: Dorset Seafood Festival 2023Dorset Seafood Festival 2023 (Image: In The Bag PR)

The Condé Nast Traveller article described the Dorset Seafood Festival as a "a stunning UK region’s award-winning food and drink festival".

It said: “More than 10,000 gourmands descend yearly on Weymouth, or the freshest seafood feasts around.

“Devour the catch of the day as chefs and culinary experts give talks while live music rings out across the site.”

Dorset Echo: Dorset Seafood Festival 2023Dorset Seafood Festival 2023 (Image: In The Bag PR)

In response to being featured on the list, Sophie Kermani, festival director, said: “When it comes to travel and events Condé Nast Traveller is the bible for what’s hot over the next six months so we’re really excited to be featured as one of the best food festivals in the UK.

“We’re among some great company, all offering unique festivals. The Dorset Seafood Festival celebrates our local and UK seafood as well as our beautiful location here on the south coast.

“We’re proud to showcase this far and wide and are happy that Condé Nast Traveller agrees.”

Dorset Echo: Dorset Seafood Festival 2023Dorset Seafood Festival 2023 (Image: In The Bag PR)

Now in its 16th year, the event, also known as Seafeast, is due to return to Weymouth Peninsula on Saturday, September 7 and Sunday, September 8, offering food from local restaurants, regional ales and English wines amidst a selection of gifts and craft, plus live music.

The festival, which supports the Fishermen’s Mission charity, was founded in 2008 and over the years has grown to become one of Weymouth’s biggest events. It used to be held around the harbourside and was free to attend but moved to the Peninsula site in 2021 as a ticketed event.

Initially there were fears the festival wouldn’t take place this year as organisers cancelled the event in January due to an increase in the site fee.

READ MORE: Weymouth seafood festival Seafeast back on for 2024

Just three weeks after this announcement was made, organisers revealed that it would be going ahead to the delight of Weymouth locals.

Dorset Echo: Dorset Seafood Festival 2023Dorset Seafood Festival 2023 (Image: In The Bag PR)

Festivalgoers this year can expect live performances from a line-up curated by local band, the Leggomen which organisers say, will be announced soon.

The Nook Cocktail Club has also been announced as the official sponsor of the Sound Waves music stage at this year’s event.

For more information about the Dorset Seafood Festival, including tickets and event details, visit www.dorsetseafood.co.uk

Other festivals in the the Condé Nast Traveller unranked list:

The Big Feastival (Cotswolds)

Abergavenny Food Festival

The North Leeds Food Festival

Ludlow Food Festival

Edinburgh Food Festival

Aldeburgh Food & Drink Festival

Pub in the Park (tours to various locations)

The Great British Food Festival (tours to various locations)

Blenheim Palace Food Festival