Jekka's HerbFest 2023

VIEW JEKKA's HERBFEST 2021

A celebration in the growing & use of herbs

with expert talks, gardening workshops and cookery demonstrations

A unique three-day event held on the first weekend in July (30th June, 1st July & 2nd July 2023). It was filled with cookery demonstrations and talks by renowned chefs, garden designers, herbalists and authors as well as help and advice from gardening experts in Jekka's Gardeners' Corner.

Talks and demonstrations covered topics on cooking with herbs, the delights of eating herbs, how to grow and look after herbs, the role of herbs in health & wellbeing, garden design tips and information on the bees and insects that use herbs.

Our 2023 speakers & demonstrators were:

Arit Anderson, Bee McGovern, Charles Dowding, Chris Collins, Jane Porter, Jean Vernon, Jekka McVicar, Josh Eggleton, Kate Durr, Mark Diacano, Mike Palmer, Nathan Outlaw, Nick Wray, Richard Rickitt, Rob Howell, Romy Gill, Sarah Eberle and Simon Mills

What's was on

Visitors to Jekka’s HerbFest 2023 were able to have guided herb tours as well as bee and medicinal walks of Jekka's Herbetum, our collection of over 400 culinary & medicinal herbs.

You could also explore Jekka's Herb Garden, visit the National Institute of Medical Herbalists Health & Wellbeing Zone and buy our herb plants, seeds and illustrated gifts.

Local artisan businesses were selling their crafts from delicious herb chocolates to locally crafted cider and gin; see them below.

Reviews of Jekka's HerbFest 2023

I didn’t really know what to expect and wondered if I’d overdone it with booking tickets for everyday. On the last day I realised three days were not enough!
There’s so much more I wanted to see and tour. Your speakers, chefs, singers, stall holders, everyone, are all fabulous, knowledgeable human beings. I’ve come away feeling I’ve learnt so much, full of inspiration yet really chilled and happy :) The best time, thank you and roll
on Herbfest 2025!
S. Riddle

We were bowled over by how lovely people were, how well organised it was, and how therapeutic it was to be surrounded by herbs!
Top speakers - both gardening and cooking - it was a treat to be able to dip in and out of their talks.
M. El Khazen

Thank you for a fabulous day out amongst the herbs. Especially wonderful were Jeans bee talk, delicious food, Simon Mill's talk and the garden tours!
D. Ireland

There was such a wonderful atmosphere and plenty of things to sample and talks to enjoy!
I also came home with a car boot full of excellent quality herbs. I look forward to the next event!
P. Bowen

Jekka's HerbFest Speakers & Demonstrators