Maryport to host Taste of the Sea festival this August

The Taste of the Sea festival returns to the Cumbrian town for its fifth year, taking place on Saturday, August 9 and Sunday, August 10 along the town's historic waterfront.

The festival will span the newly developed Harbourside event space, part of Cumberland Council’s £12 million-worth of regeneration projects, and the show field next to the marina.

The Taste of the Sea festival returns this August (Image: Cumberland Council) Councillor Anne Quilter, Cumberland Council’s executive member for vibrant and healthy places, said: "The words ‘Stein’ and ‘seafood’ go hand in hand so it’s brilliant that Jack Stein, of Cornwall’s culinary dynasty will be one of the main attractions at this year’s event in Maryport.

"We always promise you the best local talent too, so welcoming Irini back to Taste Cumbria is a joy.

"This is shaping up to be another fabulous foodie event which will bring thousands of visitors to the town and I hope they also get to experience some of the regeneration projects we’re working so hard on.

"Whether that’s the great businesses who are in premises improved by shopfront grants, or visiting the Boardwalk or Shipping Brow Gallery, or taking the family to the Shiver Me Timbers splashpark or the skatepark on the Prom.

"Maryport is well worth a visit this summer.”

Irini Tzortzoglou, MasterChef winner, will take to the stage at the festival (Image: Cumberland Council) The Demo Stage will be based at the Harbourside, featuring top chefs throughout the weekend.

Jack Stein, son of celebrity chef Rick Stein and a well-known chef in his own right, will appear on the Saturday morning.

Irini Tzortzoglou, MasterChef winner, will take the stage on Saturday afternoon, and CJ Jackson, Scottish seafood ambassador, will also make an appearance, talking about working in the likes of the famed Billingsgate Fish Market.

Jack Stein, son of celebrity chef Rick Stein, and a well-known chef in his own right (Image: Cumberland Council) Visitors can look forward to a Producers’ Market, a variety of culinary experts, food stalls, drinks, and a children’s fairground.

The festival will also feature a music stage, rum bar, beer marquee, seafood traders, an oyster bar, and the chance to buy fresh fish directly from the Chelaris boat.

Entertainment will include sea shanty bands, storytelling, roaming street theatre, and a children’s Postcard Trail, encouraging families to explore the town.

Cllr Quilter said she hopes visitors will also take time to see some of Maryport’s regeneration improvements, including the Boardwalk, Shipping Brow Gallery, Shiver Me Timbers splash park, and the skatepark on the Prom.

The Maryport event is the second Taste Cumbria festival of 2025, following Taste Wigton in April.

Upcoming events in the Taste Cumbria calendar include Cockermouth on September 27 and 28, Carlisle on November 1 and 2, and the Taste Cumbria Christmas festival in Cockermouth on December 6 and 7.

Taste Cumbria events are organised by Cumberland Council.

For more information, visit www.tastecumbria.co.uk.