Experience best of Britain’s Ocean City at Plymouth Seafood and Harbour Festival

Seafood fans are in for a treat this September as the Plymouth Seafood and Harbour Festival returns to the Barbican and Sutton Harbour on 18 and 19 September.

Organised by Plymouth Waterfront Partnership (PWP), the free festival is a vibrant celebration of everything Plymouth’s historic harbourside has to offer, including fresh, sustainably caught fish.

Diane Mansell, Chief Executive of PWP, said: “The festival is a fantastic opportunity to enjoy the very best of the Waterfront and to celebrate the area’s heritage.

“With stalls, entertainment and demonstrations, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. While you’re here, make sure you explore the fantastic range of independent shops, eateries and galleries along the Barbican and Sutton Harbour.”

Throughout the weekend, a Cookery Theatre on West Pier (next to the Mayflower Steps) will host demonstrations from chefs at some of Plymouth’s most popular restaurants include Supha’s, Rockfish and Monty’s. Chefs from The Boathouse and The Hook & Line will also be battling it out onstage in a cook-off on Sunday afternoon.

Stalls will line the streets of The Parade, Quay Square and West Pier, selling delicious street food dishes to enjoy on the day as well as special treats to take home, ranging from fresh fish and shellfish to fudge, flapjacks and local gins and liqueurs. Ventons Devon Cyder will be hosting the festival bar, so you can soak up the atmosphere with a tasty tipple.

For those wanting to learn more about how to prepare fish and eat it sustainably, Seafish will have a display of local species provided by Plymouth Trawler Agents. Their team can explain how to fillet different types of fish and will be happy to answer questions. Plus at the end of each day, you can purchase the fish from the auction in the Cookery Theatre. Sound Seafood will have some tasty samples for you to try of fresh Mackerel and Sardines.

There will be plenty of fun for children too, including free crabbing, colouring, crafts and even a giant fisherman puppet to look out for, with his shrimp friends!

The Ocean Conservation Trust will be on hand throughout the weekend too, with games to play and plenty of fascinating stories about life beneath the waves. Learn all about the impacts of plastic pollution or join in a litter pick to help keep the Waterfront plastic free.

There’s also a walking trail to follow from 11 to 19 September. Follow to find the 20 beautiful fish illustrations designed by resident festival artist, Debby Mason.

The festival has been made possible with the support of Sutton Harbour Group, Sound Seafood, Ventons Devon Cyder and Plymouth City Council.

Find out more about the Plymouth Seafood and Harbour Festival at visitplymouth.co.uk/seafoodandharbourfest.