Chilli Festival
Started in 2006 the Chilli Festival is a hugely popular family event attracting thousands of visitors over three days, offering a chance to buy chilli plants, products and sample foods from around the world. Stalls are set up throughout the garden and a wide range of refreshments is provided to help you cool down, including cold beers and ice creams. Come worship the pepper at Benington Chilli Festival next August bank holiday weekend!
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Chilli Stalls
Over 60 pitches of the nation’s best known independent chilli traders selling everything and anything you can make with chillies – chutneys, sauces, pickles, seeds, cheese and chocolate.
Some of specialist companies attending this year, include:
- Grim Reaper
- Hot Headz
- East Coast Chilli company
- Mr Vikkis
- Fat Man Chilli
- Chef Bernie
- Mustchup
- Wiga Waga
Over 60 pitches of the nation’s best known independent chilli traders selling everything and anything you can make with chillies – chutneys, sauces, pickles, seeds, cheese and chocolate.
Some of specialist companies attending this year, include:
- Grim Reaper
- Hot Headz
- East Coast Chilli company
- Mr Vikkis
- Fat Man Chilli
- Chef Bernie
- Mustchup
- Wiga Waga
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Unforgettable Cooking & Hot Cocktails
Choose dishes from Thai, Greek, South African, Indian or Lebanese cooking styles. Vegan and vegetarian widely available. Even chilli flavoured ice cream will be part of the food bonanza. Sample craft beer from Lost River Brewery, local cider, spicy ginger beer, soft drinks and cocktails.
Choose dishes from Thai, Greek, South African, Indian or Lebanese cooking styles. Vegan and vegetarian widely available. Even chilli flavoured ice cream will be part of the food bonanza. Sample craft beer from Lost River Brewery, local cider, spicy ginger beer, soft drinks and cocktails.
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Chilli Plants
Prolong the pleasure and take home your own chilli plant. There will be hundreds available, plenty of different and unusual varieties, and friendly advice from knowledgeable growers.
Prolong the pleasure and take home your own chilli plant. There will be hundreds available, plenty of different and unusual varieties, and friendly advice from knowledgeable growers.
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Chilli Eating Competition
For the hard core enthusiast, a unique opportunity to showcase your prowess at the world famous chilli eating competition. If you think you’re hard enough, sign up on the day for the ultimate challenge. To be held each day at 4pm. Limited to 12 participants, on a first come, first served basis.
For the hard core enthusiast, a unique opportunity to showcase your prowess at the world famous chilli eating competition. If you think you’re hard enough, sign up on the day for the ultimate challenge. To be held each day at 4pm. Limited to 12 participants, on a first come, first served basis.
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Entertainment
Entertainment for 2024 includes Jones and Barnard with escapology and general silliness. Music by Mr Rainmaker and the Liberators. Ferret racing from Hockley Ferret Rescue.
Entertainment for 2024 includes Jones and Barnard with escapology and general silliness. Music by Mr Rainmaker and the Liberators. Ferret racing from Hockley Ferret Rescue.
Information and Opening Times
Opening Times 2025:
23rd, 24th & 25th of August 2025, 10-5PM daily
Prices:
Adults: £12.00.
Children under 16 yrs: £4.00
Children under 12 yrs: Free.
Information for Disabled Visitors:
Our information for disabled visitors can be seen here
Free Parking:
Follow signs from the village of Benington, 4 miles east of Stevenage.
Chilli Festival Parking:
Due to the large number of visitors creating traffic and parking problems visitors are asked not to park anywhere on the roadside or green in the village. There will be ample free parking provided in the fields directly behind the gardens. The Festival main entrance is over the causeway between the two ponds, just below the car park. All parking/access will be clearly sign posted, please see the map below for directions. Disabled visitors (Blue Badge Holders only) and pedestrians should use the garden main entrance off the village green next to St Peter’s Church.
