Exmoor Food Fest - Stay at Woodleigh Cottage, Dulverton

February on Exmoor is a foodie's dream. While winter weather, and some sunshine (!), sweep across the moors and coastal paths, Exmoor's kitchens come alive with a month-long celebration of exceptional local produce, talented chefs, and unforgettable dining experiences.

Now in its 11th year, the Exmoor Food Fest is England's only month-long regional celebration dedicated to the chefs, teams, and outstanding food that put Exmoor on the UK's culinary map and Woodleigh Cottage is the perfect base from which to savour every delicious moment.

What is the Exmoor Food Fest?

Throughout February, participating restaurants across the region offer special tasting menus, chef collaborations, and exceptional value dining that showcases the very best of what Exmoor has to offer. Many pubs and restaurants offer two courses for around £25.00 and three courses for £30.00.

This isn't just about eating out for less, though the affordable pricing makes it wonderfully accessible, it's about discovering the stories behind your plate: the native beef grazing on ancient moorland, the venison roaming free through woodland valleys, the coastal catch brought in fresh from the Bristol Channel, and the farm-to-fork commitment that defines Exmoor's food culture.

Why Woodleigh Cottage Makes the Perfect Foodie Base

Imagine this: you've just enjoyed a fantastic dinner at one of Exmoor's tastiest restaurants and you are a walk (The Bridge Inn), or a short drive away (The Bittescombe Inn), from your own cosy cottage retreat. You settle in beside the huge log fire at Woodleigh Cottage, perhaps with a nightcap, reflecting on the evening's culinary delights and planning the next day's foodie adventure.

Located just a minute's walk from the centre of Dulverton, the Gateway to Exmoor National Park, Woodleigh Cottage offers the ideal combination of peaceful countryside charm and convenient access to the region's best dining. Sleeping up to four guests in its characterful, cosy bedrooms, this beautiful cottage provides the perfect setting for a romantic foodie getaway or a culinary exploration with friends.

Book Your Food Fest Escape

The Exmoor Food Fest transforms February from a quiet off-season month into one of the region's best times to visit. The combination of exceptional value dining, innovative menus, and the warm hospitality Exmoor is known for makes it an experience no foodie should miss.

Visit https://exmoorfoodfest.com/ for full details of the individual restaurants participating in 2026.

Also visit the Exmoor Food Fest Facebook page to see the lastest menus posted by pubs and restaurants.

Don't wait—the best restaurants book up early, and you'll want to secure your cottage dates to match your dining reservations. Start planning your Exmoor Food Fest experience today and prepare for a February filled with exceptional food, stunning scenery, and the cosy comforts of Woodleigh Cottage.

The Exmoor Food Fest Experience

What makes the Food Fest truly special is the creativity and passion it inspires. Throughout February, Exmoor's kitchens go playful with tasting menus, chef collaborations, and off-the-beaten-track pubs showing just how good local produce can be. You might find yourself trying unexpected flavour combinations, meeting the chefs behind innovative dishes, or dining in venues you'd never have discovered otherwise.

Previous Food Fest menus have featured everything from Exmoor National Park rib-eye steak with locally foraged accompaniments to creative vegetarian offerings that celebrate seasonal produce. The emphasis is always on quality, creativity, and showcasing what makes Exmoor's food scene unique.

Special events often accompany the month-long celebration too, think wine pairing dinners, meet-the-producer evenings, and collaborative chef showcases. These events fill up quickly, so booking early is essential.

Planning Your Foodie Break at Woodleigh Cottage

Make Woodleigh Cottage Your Base: With its warm, welcoming character and prime location, the cottage offers everything you need for a comfortable stay. After indulgent meals out, you'll appreciate the peaceful setting, private garden, and those cosy bedrooms perfect for sleeping off a food coma!

Book Your Restaurant Reservations Early: FoodFest restaurants fill up fast, particularly for weekend dining. As soon as the participating restaurants are announced (typically in January), start planning your culinary itinerary and making bookings.

Mix Fine Dining with Casual Exploration: Balance special tasting menu evenings with daytime explorations of Dulverton's cafes, delis, and traditional pubs. This way you can experience the full spectrum of Exmoor's food culture.

Walk Off Your Meals: One of the joys of staying at Woodleigh Cottage is the immediate access to Exmoor's stunning walking routes. A brisk moorland walk between lunch and dinner is the perfect way to work up an appetite and experience the landscapes that produce such exceptional ingredients.

Embrace the Season: February might be chilly, but that makes returning to Woodleigh's log fire all the more appealing. Pack warm layers for moorland walks, and look forward to cosy evenings after your culinary adventures.

Beyond the Plate: The Complete Exmoor Experience

While food is the focus of your February visit, Woodleigh Cottage's location means you can easily combine dining experiences with other Exmoor adventures. Take a morning hike to Tarr Steps, the ancient clapper bridge.

Drive out to the coast for dramatic clifftop walks and sea air, building an appetite for that evening's tasting menu. Visit local producers—artisan cheese makers, smokeries, breweries—to understand where your restaurant meals originate.

And, of course, see Exmoor Ponies in the wild.

Ready to book your foodie escape? Visit www.woodlandsholidays.com to check availability at Woodleigh Cottage for February and start planning your Exmoor FoodFest adventure.