UK Truffle Festival Returns to Hickstead

If you are up for a short day trip out of Brighton later this year, the UK Truffle Festival is heading back to Sussex this autumn. The annual event takes place on Saturday 14 November 2026 at the Hickstead All England Jumping Course, just a quick ten-mile drive straight up the A23 from town. Created back in 2022, this celebration of British truffles and local produce has become a popular spot for food lovers across the county, regularly selling out ahead of time.

There is plenty planned across the Saturday to keep you busy. You will be able to taste fresh British truffles paired with simple dishes, watch live cooking demonstrations from top chefs, and see open-flame cooking over live fires. If you have a dog, you can even test their nose out in the free 'Have a Go Truffle Hunting' smell-detection activity, which is open to any breed with no prior training needed. Alongside the food, there are expert talks scheduled throughout the day covering foraging, mycology, canine training, and sustainable feeding practices.

For those interested in the competitive side of things, The UK Truffle Dog Championships take place the day before the main festival, on Friday 13 November 2026. Held nearby in a woodland setting, this national competition features 25 dogs split across Open and Young Dog classes, with judges assessing motivation, search technique, and teamwork. The history of the championship dates back to 2008, when it was established by Marion Dean and her Lagotto Romagnolo, Mufti. James Feaver of The English Truffle Company—who won that inaugural contest with his black Labrador, Bramble—helped revive the championships in 2022. The awards ceremony for this year's contest will be presented live at Hickstead during the Saturday festival.

Standard early bird tickets start from £24 (rising to £35 for full price), which includes entry to all talks, demos, and activities, plus free parking on site. Kids under 16 get in free. If you want to upgrade, VIP experience tickets start at £75 for early bookings (rising to £95), offering a glass of English sparkling wine, cured truffle canapés, and a gift bag, limited to 75 spots. If you plan to go, it is best to arrive before midday, wear comfortable country footwear, and keep dogs on leads while in the car park area.