The Gaderung
This August, VisitEngland’s Best New Tourism Business, Ad Gefrin: Anglo Saxon Museum and Whisky Distillery marks the Anglo-Saxon season of Lammas (harvest) with The Gaderung — a one-day celebration of Northumbria’s rich food heritage and culture co-curated by Ad Gefrin and Local Heroes in partnership with Visit Northumberland.
Local Heroes is a regional storytelling platform that through live events, film, podcasts, documentaries and products, shine a light on the people, places and stories that define, inspire and connect communities.
Taking place on Sunday 3rd August, this flagship immersive experience brings together local farmers, makers, bakers, chefs, creatives, musicians, storytellers and communities for a modern-day harvest festival rooted in the land, people and produce of Northumberland and the wider North East region.
Lammas was a time of thanksgiving and communal feasting in the Ango-Saxon era, marking the gathering of the first grains, ensuring sustenance and prosperity for the winter months ahead. Ad Gefrin’s Gaderung celebrates the unique Anglo-Saxon heritage, ancient hospitality and contemporary produce of the region, as part of a wider Lammas programme this Autumn.
The Gaderung: artisan market
The Gaderung offers visitors a free open-air daytime artisan market of Northumbrian food, drink and craftspeople in the grounds of Ad Gefrin. Each stall will tell a story of local land and labour - from moor to coast, farm to table – inviting visitors to taste and take home a piece of the region. Think: golden jars of Northumberland Honey, the wild clarity of Hepple Spirits, small-batch pie makers and the rich, handcrafted character of Doddington Cheese.
Terry Laybourne chef/ proprietor of 21 Hospitality Group will be at The Gaderung representing his fish-focused restaurant Saltwater Fish Company (located in Fenwick Food Hall, Newcastle) showcasing Lindisfarne Oysters and other local deliciousness.
Meanwhile Northumberland-based Copper Ricebox will also bring their signature Asian-inspired street food, made using locally sourced produce.
The Gaderung: a musical showcase
Throughout the day – and providing a soundtrack to The Gaderung’s culinary showcase – a live line-up of musicians, artists and storytellers will entertain visitors, including:
Ruby Kelly - a rising folk voice from South Wales, now based in the North East, Ruby crafts heartfelt acoustic ballads steeped in identity, place, and personal growth. With songs like ‘Hometown’ and ‘The Roots’, her warm, honest voice brings storytelling to life with every chord
Smith & Liddle - Newcastle duo - singer-songwriter Elizabeth Liddle and multi-instrumentalist Billy Smith - blend rich, retro-inspired sounds rooted in pop, folk, and soul. Expect lush harmonies, vintage textures, and lyrics that resonate with heart and style
Coled Lore - Newcastle-based folk guitar and viola duo delivers joyful, high-tempo tunes with traditional roots and a fresh twist.
Hannah Graham - A gifted storyteller and illustrator, Hannah enchants young audiences with live narration and sketching. She brings warmth, wonder, and boundless creativity to every corner of The Gaderung.
Jimi Dingwall - Local DJ Jimi spins soulful house creating groove-rich sets that bring people together.
The Gaderung: the Celebratory Feast
The Gaderung draws to a close with an evening invite-only celebratory Feast in Ad Gefrin’s Bēodern bistro. This joyful communal dining experience features long tables, shared platters of seasonal produce, live music and the ceremonial Standard Bearer’s Toast: a tribute to the land, its people and the traditions that continue to bring communities together.
Commenting on the event, Chris Jewitt, Co-Founder of Local Heroes, said: “We couldn’t be more excited to launch The Gaderung in partnership with Ad Gefrin. This event is a powerful expression of everything we stand for – celebrating local people, produce, and pride of place. Northumberland has such a rich story to tell, and The Gaderung is our way of honouring that heritage while building a bold vision for the future. It’s more than a festival – it’s the start of something truly special for the region.”
Andrew Fox, Chair of Visit Northumberland said: “We’re incredibly proud to support this innovative event, which not only celebrates Northumberland’s rich culinary heritage but also encourages visitors to stay longer and experience more of what our unique county has to offer. With ‘Food and Drink’ accounting for 45.9% of total economic impact and employing over 5,000 people, it’s clear this sector plays a significant growth role for our visitor economy. This initiative is a powerful step forward in driving sustainable growth and raising the profile of Northumberland on the national food tourism map.”
Get your free ticket now to attend The Gaderung on Sunday 3rd August from 10am-5pm at Ad Gefrin in Wooler, Northumberland.