The south will be heating up in August and not just because of the weather, thanks to the Great Dorset Chilli Festival. At the home of the Earl of Shaftesbury at the beautiful St Giles Park, the 2 day event is a must for all lovers of tasty food with a little kick.

Regardless of whether you are there to prove your mettle or want to learn how to improve your home chilli crops, the festival will have something for all in attendance. Stalls will be on site showcasing and selling the best and hottest peppers in the county and country, ceramics, sauces and other chilli paraphernalia. In addition to the buy and try stalls, there will also be some great cookery demonstrations showing some amazing dishes you can prepare using chilli at home.

To complement the heat of the chilli and for all of you out there who are a bit wimpy when it comes to all things fiery, there will be a delicious selection ice cold beers from local brewers and refreshing ice cream. Obviously, for the braver attendants, no chilli festival would be complete without a chilli eating competition and also the chance to be a judge in the chilli sauce competition.

Don’t worry if you are not the biggest lover of chilli as the other food on offer has always been great at previous years events. This includes pizza, paella and a wide range of scrumptious street food as well as some great alternatives for anyone on a gluten-free diet.

With lots for kids to do, the earlier you get down there the better.