2 days ago
‘I visited the ultimate foodie heaven at a London park and left sunburnt but smiling'
I spent my Saturday in a proper foodie paradise. Pub in the Park rolled into Gunnersbury Park for the first time, and I was there for the daytime session.
If you like top-tier pub grub, decent live music and a strong cocktail under the sun, it was absolutely the place to be.
This was my third time at Pub in the Park, but my first visit to this new London location. Gunnersbury turned out to be an ideal setting.
Open and green, well kept, easy to get around, and just far enough from traffic to feel like a proper escape. The sun turned up too.
Let's talk food. That's what you're there for. Dozens of top pubs and restaurants dishing up small-plate versions of their signature dishes, served fast but cooked with real care.
The idea is you don't just have one meal – you try a few, compare notes, and eat your way across the field like a very lucky critic with no deadlines.
First up for me was The Pig's Ear's crispy buttermilk chicken with coronation crème fraîche.
It sounded a bit experimental but completely nailed it – crisp coating, juicy meat, and a sharp, creamy sauce that somehow didn't feel out of place.
(Image: Amy Clarke) My friend picked the Madras-spiced cauliflower from Guy Ritchie's Lore of the Land. Topped with lime pickle mayo and a poppadom crunch, it had serious depth.
We followed that with a chicken tortilla from Tom Kerridge's. Simple, solid, and just what we needed to reset the palate.
Dishes weren't huge, but that's part of the experience. You're not sitting down to a Sunday roast. You're roaming, tasting, mixing it up.
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We caught Simon the Butcher at the fire pit stage doing a live demo. Proper knives, proper heat, and a good bit of showmanship.
Over in the M&S Food Village we stumbled into a tomato cooking session, focused on Isle of Wight varieties.
I had an incredible whiskey cocktail from a stand called Monkey Shoulder – strong, well balanced, and ice-cold.
Plenty of craft options, wines, spirits and non-alcoholic alternatives dotted around.
The music kicked off gently. I caught the end of Pandora's club classics set – think 90s and early 2000s floor-fillers.
(Image: Amy Clarke) Norman Jay followed with a smooth run of soul and funk that suited the weather perfectly.
Soul II Soul were the big draw, and they didn't disappoint. The field in front of the stage filled up fast, and when Back to Life dropped, everyone got involved.
The crowd was spot on. A proper mix of ages.
Families with kids running around the fairground rides, groups of mates chasing cocktails, couples sunbathing between sets. A few very relaxed dogs. No aggro. No posing. Just happy people eating, drinking and making the most of the sunshine.
I had a VIP pass this year, which meant access to a quieter seating area, a decent view of the stage, and a couple of extras like private tastings.
Nothing too fancy, but it gave us a good base to regroup and rest our feet. At one point, I realised I'd forgotten sun cream and was already going a bit pink.
I asked one of the security staff if they had any – they didn't, but about half an hour later he found me again with another member of staff who handed some over.
(Image: Amy Clarke)
That kind of gesture says a lot. Friendly, thoughtful and not something you get at every big event.
Before heading out, we hit the dodgems which were surprisingly brutal. Easily one of the most fun bits of the day.
There was also a vintage Ferris wheel and plenty of fairground stalls, adding to the old-school summer fair feel.
By the time we left in the late afternoon, we had spoken to a number of people who had decided they were going to stay for evening session but for me, the daytime slot was enough.
I'd eaten well, danced a bit, learned a few things about tomatoes and wine, and had a brilliant day in a corner of London I rarely visit.
Pub in the Park knows what it's doing. The food's the star, but the festival around it creates this perfect summertime atmosphere.
I'll be back next year, with a hat, sun cream and even more appetite.
