The ‘Capital of Watercress’ is set to once again welcome watercress fans from around the world to celebrate the start of the UK Watercress season.

The Alresford Watercress Festival will be taking place on Sunday May, 25 after a two-year hiatus thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Visitors to the Festival are encouraged to arrive in Alresford on the train to enjoy what the day has to offer.

It will begin with the newly crowned King and Queen of Watercress parading through the town dispensing freshly harvested watercress to the crowds.

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Cookery demos by local and celebrity chefs show the versatility of this original superfood, and speakers will explain its enviable health credentials.

Meanwhile, shopping urges for delicious artisanal foods and quirky crafts can be satisfied by visiting the many stalls lining the two main streets, all accompanied to music from local bands playing on stage.

Watercress will be available in abundance with free bags of watercress on offer at The Watercress Company stand, as well as samples of delicious and healthy watercress smoothie, or watercress pesto.

The World Watercress Eating Championships will also take place In

2019 the winner successfully ate an 85g bag of watercress in 41.6 seconds.

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The NFU Watercress Association are principal sponsors of the Festival and are supported by Alresford Chamber of Commerce, New Alresford Town Council, Hampshire Farmers Market and a host of Community Groups.

There is no charge to come to the Festival although there are parking fees and the organisers urge visitors to give a donation to the Abby’s Heroes, a local children’s cancer charity.

For more information about the Festival or for directions and parking information, visit: www.watercressfestival.org.

For recipe inspiration, visit: www.watercress.co.uk.

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