Food & Drink
Taste Fresh Truffle
Fresh British truffle paired with simple, delicious ingredients. Taste it in its best form, and understand why it commands such devotion.
Over 82% Sold Out · 46 Remaining at 20% Off
Sat 14 Nov 2026 Hickstead, West Sussex
UK Truffle Festival FAQs
Everything worth knowing before you come. Tickets, dogs, parking, access, food, and what a day at the festival is really like.
Book Tickets
Adults from £28 · Kids go free · -- days to go
- Dogs welcome
- Free parking
- Under 16s free
- Rain or shine
Est. 2022
Sold out
every year
every year
0
Visitor
capacity
capacity
★★★★★
Five-star
Google reviews
Google reviews
Free
Entry for
under 16s
under 16s
Your Questions Answered
Frequently Asked Questions
Tickets, dogs, parking, access and what actually happens on the day. Pick a category, or open All Questions to read the lot.
General
What is the UK Truffle Festival?
The UK Truffle Festival is an annual celebration of British truffles, truffle dogs, great food, and the
community that brings it all together. It's held each November in West Sussex.
When and where is the 2026 festival?
Saturday 14th November 2026 at Hickstead, West Sussex. Gates open in the morning, full timings will
be announced closer to the event.
Is the festival suitable for families?
Absolutely. The festival is a family-friendly event with something for everyone, food, live
cooking,
truffle dogs, market stalls, and a relaxed outdoor atmosphere. Children are very welcome and under 16s go
free.
Is the festival accessible?
Yes. We're committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming experience for all guests.
If you have specific accessibility needs, please get in
touch via our contact page and we'll do our best to help.
Does my festival ticket include the UK Truffle Dog Championships?
No, the UK Truffle Dog Championships is a completely separate event, held on Friday 13th
November at a different venue. It has its own entry process and ticketing, independent of the festival.
Tickets
When do 2026 tickets go on sale?
Tickets are on sale now. They're released in limited batches, with prices rising as we get closer to the
festival. Booking early is the best way to lock in the lowest price and secure your spot,
the festival sells out every year.
Can I show up and buy tickets on the day?
The festival sells out every year, we strongly recommend booking in advance. We cannot guarantee
tickets will be available on the day.
Can I get a refund if I can't attend?
Please refer to our Terms & Booking Policy for full details on refunds and transfers.
We aim to be as fair and flexible as possible.
What's included in a festival ticket?
Your ticket includes entry to the full festival, live cooking demos, expert talks, market stalls,
live music, and more. Food and drink purchases are separate.
Is there a group discount?
We don't currently offer group discounts. The best way to save is to book early, tickets are
released in limited batches and prices rise as we get closer to the event.
Dogs
Can I bring my dog?
Absolutely, well-behaved dogs are very welcome throughout the festival. We love seeing dogs of
all breeds and sizes.
Does my dog need to be a truffle dog?
Not at all! Any well-behaved dog is welcome. You don't need any truffle training experience
to enjoy the festival with your four-legged friend.
Can my dog try truffle hunting at the festival?
Yes! The truffle dog have-a-go arena is a fun, informal competition open to all festival-goers and their
dogs.
No prior training needed, it's a great introduction to truffle scent work to see if your dog has
what it takes.
Is there water available for dogs?
Yes, we'll have water stations around the festival site. We recommend bringing your own portable
bowl too, just in case.
On the Day
Can I buy fresh truffles at the festival?
Yes, fresh British truffles will be available to purchase from our market stalls throughout the
day.
Is there parking available?
Yes, parking is available on site at Hickstead for free this year. More details will be shared closer to
the event.
Will there be toilets on site?
Yes, toilet facilities will be available on site.
Can I leave and re-enter the festival on the day?
Yes, re-entry is permitted. Please retain your ticket or wristband.
Is food included in the ticket price?
Your ticket covers entry to all festival activities. Food and drink are available to purchase from
the various stalls and vendors on site. You may also have the opportunity to snag a free taster or two if
you're in the right place at the right time.
What should I wear?
The festival is outdoors, so dress for the weather. Comfortable shoes are recommended, think
country casual rather than city smart. Wellies are never a bad idea in November!
About the Festival
Truffles. Dogs. Great food. Great people.
The UK Truffle Festival is a one-of-a-kind celebration of Britain's most elusive ingredient, and the extraordinary dogs trained to find it.
Whether you're a foodie, a dog lover, a curious forager, or simply after an unforgettable day out in the Sussex countryside, there's nothing else quite like this in the UK.
Festival Programme
What's On
The short answer to the question we get asked most. Here is what a day at the festival actually looks like.
Food & Drink
Bring Your Dog
Have a Go Truffle Hunting
Bring your dog and give truffle scent detection a try. Open to all breeds, no experience needed, just a curious nose and a willing handler.
Free with general admission
Talks & Learning
Expert Talks
Hear from leading voices in foraging, mycology, dog training and sustainable food.
Live Chefs
Live Cooking Demos
Top chefs cook live with fresh British truffles. Watch, taste, and be inspired.
Live Fire
Live Fire Cooking
See our chefs work over open flame with seasonal ingredients and fresh British truffle. Raw, dramatic, and utterly delicious.
VIP & Pre-Order
Truffle Canapés
Delicious, freshly prepared truffle canapés served to VIPs and pre-orders on arrival. The perfect introduction to Britain's finest ingredient.
Pre-order only
Festival Highlights
See What Happened in 2025
Dogs, truffles, great food and even better people. Here's what a day at the festival looks like.
Guest Reviews
What Our Guests Say
★★★★★
“Such a wonderful day out. Light hearted, so inclusive, and absolutely heavenly free tasters of some of the best cooked truffle dishes ever plated up.”
★★★★★
“A bit of everything, you can have a go at truffle scent work with your dog, learn, sample the food, and it’s not too overcrowded as it has a limit on entry.”
★★★★★
“The nuggets he was giving out, well we’ve paid good money for that from other educators, and it was included in the entrance fee.”
★★★★★
“Great value for money and a fun day for all ages, I’d highly recommend going.”
★★★★★
“I’ve attended the UK Truffle Festival several times and always had a great experience. The food and produce are excellent, the presentations are engaging.”
★★★★★
“Best day out, we’ve now joined the club and are making it a new outdoor hobby for me and Sid.”
★★★★★
“Such a lovely atmosphere. The dogs were incredible and the truffle dishes were out of this world. Can’t wait for next year.”
★★★★★
“Brilliant event, really well put together. The talks were fascinating and the food stalls were top notch. Highly recommend.”
★★★★★
“We came not knowing much about truffles and left feeling like proper enthusiasts. The whole day was so well organised. Already planning to come back.”
★★★★★
“My spaniel absolutely loved it. The have-a-go truffle hunting was the highlight, she found three! A brilliant day from start to finish.”
★★★★★
“Genuinely one of the best days out we’ve had in Sussex. Wonderful mix of food, dogs, nature and community. Exactly what a British festival should be.”
★★★★★
“The chefs were incredible, watching them work with fresh truffles and getting to taste the results was something really special. Sold out for good reason.”
Plan Your Visit
Getting Here
Hickstead, West Sussex, Saturday 14th November 2026
Venue Address
Hickstead All England Jumping Course
Sayers Common, Hassocks
Haywards Heath, West Sussex
BN6 9NS
South Gate (main entrance): ///blockage.fiction.ounce
Festival Venue: ///appeal.neatly.honest
By Car
Hickstead is located just off the A23 London to Brighton road, approximately 10 miles north of Brighton and 4 miles south of Haywards Heath. Turn off the A23 at the Hickstead Junction (signposted) and follow festival signage on the day.
Postcode for satnav: BN6 9NS
By Train
The nearest train stations are Haywards Heath (4 miles) and Burgess Hill (3.5 miles). Taxis are available from both stations. Pre-booking a cab for the return journey is strongly recommended.
Parking
On-site parking is available and included in your ticket. Please allow extra time to find a space and follow the directions from our parking marshals on arrival. The car park can fill up, arriving before midday is recommended.
Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times in the car park.
Accessibility
Disabled parking spaces are available close to the festival entrance. Please get in touch via our contact page in advance if you have any specific requirements and we will do our best to assist.
Nearby Hotels & Stays
We recommend booking early, accommodation close to the festival date fills up fast. Where noted, properties are known to welcome dogs.
Travelodge HicksteadClosest to venue
A23, Jobs Lane, Hickstead, RH17 5NZ, right next door to the showground. Budget option, 24-hour reception.
The Hickstead Hotel0.8 miles
Job's Lane, Haywards Heath, RH17 5NZ. The closest full hotel to the showground.
The Sportsman Pub🐶 Dog Friendly
Cuckfield Road, Hurstpierpoint, BN6 9LQ, ~1.5 miles. Highly rated country pub with rooms. Reviewers specifically praise the welcome for dogs, with blanket beds provided. Outdoor heated pods.
Wheatsheaf Inn, Cuckfield~6 miles
Broad Street, Cuckfield, RH17 5DW. Well-regarded village inn with comfortable rooms and good food in a pretty West Sussex village.
The Birch Hotel, Haywards Heath~7 miles
Lewes Road, Haywards Heath, RH17 7SF. Characterful independent hotel in a converted Victorian property. Restaurant on site, 24-hour reception.
The Bent Arms, Lindfield🐶 Dog Friendly
98 High Street, Lindfield, RH16 2HP, ~8 miles. One of the highest rated options on this list. A proper village pub with B&B rooms, warm atmosphere and known to welcome dogs.
Bective B&B, Haywards Heath🐶 Dog Friendly★ 5.0
Copyhold Lane, Haywards Heath, RH16 1XU, ~8 miles. Perfect five-star B&B with exceptional breakfasts and wonderfully welcoming hosts. Reviewers mention nearby woods ideal for dog walks. Book early, small and personal.
The Windmill Inn, Littleworth🐶 Dog Friendly
Littleworth Lane, Partridge Green, RH13 8EJ, ~10 miles. A beautiful, highly rated country inn with rooms surrounded by fields. Dog friendly with a countryside setting, ideal for those making a full weekend of it.
Dog-friendly status is based on guest reviews, we recommend confirming directly with each property before booking.
Separate Event · Friday 13th November 2026 · Sold Out
The UK Truffle Dog Championships
The UK's national truffle dog competition, held in a woodland setting, the day before the festival.
Each year, dog-and-handler teams from across the UK compete in live, timed truffle hunting challenges for the national title. It's skilful, nail-biting, and genuinely unlike anything else on the British events calendar.
In 2026, the Championships takes place in a natural woodland setting, giving competitors the environment this competition truly deserves. Judging focuses on what really matters in real truffle hunting: motivation, searching, detection, indication and teamwork.
Places are strictly limited to 25 competitors across two classes, Open Class and Young Dogs. Each competitor entry permits up to two spectating guests. The Championships is a completely separate event from the festival this year, with its own entry process and ticketing. The main awards ceremony takes place the following day at the festival in Hickstead.
All 25 competitor places for 2026 have now been taken and entries are closed. If you would like to compete in 2027, join the mailing list and we will let you know the moment entries open.
Get Notified for 2027 →
Stay in the Loop
Whether you’ve already got your tickets, you’re thinking ahead to a future year, or you just love what we do, join our email list for festival news, behind-the-scenes stories, and early access to future Truffle Forager events.
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