Caerphilly Cheese Festival & Great Cheese Race

Where: Caerphilly, South Wales at the Castle and nearby
When: Weekend in late August (formerly late July)
Time: Saturday & Sunday from 9.30 am with first Cheese Race on Sunday from 10 am

 

Caerphilly is famed both for its tasty cheese and for its castle ruins, and both feature in the annual Cheese festival. Expect dozens of gourmet food stalls featuring local and international delicacies (naturally with an emphasis on dairy products!), plenty of music and entertainment, living history encampments, a large funfair and the renowned Great Cheese Race which is one of the main events of the weekend. During the race, entrants must carry traditional truckles of cheese on stretchers in a relay on a course through the castle and event site.

Helpful Hints

In 2025 it should be on Sunday 31st August, with the full festival on 30th and 31st. The festival used to be late July but has shifted in recent years to August (check the event website for full details).

The races usually take around an hour as there are several heats before the finals for each group (under 12s, 12-16 year-olds and over 16 Open), though the exact time varies depending on the number of competitors and the speed at which they complete the course!

Entry is free of charge including access to the Castle over the weekend. Parking is available nearby with a park-and-ride service.

Click here for the event website: https://www.caerphillycheesefestival.co.uk

and Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TheBigCheeseCaerphilly/?eid=ARBnwKZ-M_6hI53OaPCbLQg5aUuvoWX9rwZIfrJtKXmndRozw6xc-eGTFtz2jKHkQTsoYWwMrksgMKFn

View this location on the map