Adventure
Watercress Festival Arlesford
On the third Sunday in May, the annual watercress festival gets underway to celebrate the start of the summer season. Over 18,000 people descend on the small town of Arlesford in Hampshire to eat all things combined with the peppery leaf. It’s a big deal down here, and the locals take it very seriously indeed.
Experience the charm of the Watercress Festival in Alresford, Hampshire, with royal parades, quirky competitions, delicious food and the unforgettable world watercress-eating contest.
A Quintessentially British Tradition
To start off the celebrations, they need a king and queen, and this year, six-and-a-half-year-old Jack (as he tells me) and seven-year-old Evie are chosen from a local school. Once crowned, their royal duty is to board a wonderful horse carriage adorned with watercress and parade through the town, throwing out bunches of watercress to their subjects. What fun, and the crowd laps it up.
I spend the next couple of hours chatting to local stall holders and tasting all things watercress. From watercress shortbread, sorbet, burgers and fudge.
I have a quick chat with watercress rock star Tom Amery who I first interviewed way back in 2002 for ITV’s This Morning. He’s got watercress in his veins!
Hampshire’s Most Unique Food Celebration
Back at the festival, my bosses thought it would be a good idea to enter me in the world watercress-eating competition. Mmm, not only that, I would be up against the undisputed world champion of the past 17 years, Glenn Walsh. It’s a family thing as Glenn’s daughter and son are also competing. The rules are really simple: you have to eat a 100g bag of watercress as quickly as possible. You are allowed water, but that’s it. I started well, but when I was halfway through the bag, I glanced over at Glenn, and she had finished in, wait for it… 44 seconds! Suffice to say, I was soundly beaten by now the 18-time world champion, but what a lovely chap and family.
What a fabulous day, and it’s so good to know and experience such a wonderful event. We Brits do this stuff really well, and long may it continue.
Some watercress-inspired recipes
Chicken with Watercress Mustard, Chilli & Oranges
Zesty orange-glazed chicken with peppery watercress, a splash of heat, and fresh, sunny flavour.
View RecipeSpring Asparagus Watercress & Jersey Royal Tart
British asparagus is in season from April to June, so make the most of this great British crop while you can.
View RecipeWatercress Pesto
Vibrant, peppery watercress pesto bursting with toasted pinenuts and parmesan – a quick, fresh, versatile sauce.
View Recipe