SLIDESHOW: Newstead Abbey Food and Drink Festival pictures

So what better excuse is there to go and soak up the sun with food, drink and a bit of local culture?

Newstead Abbey held it’s first official food and drink festival at the weekend, and it went down a treat.

With more than 11,000 people attending the event across the three days, it seems to be just right for the people of Nottinghamshire.

Cooking demonstrations and around 90 food and drink stalls were scattered across the heritage grounds, along with entertainment such as music and theatre.

The £8 adult day ticket not only covered entrance to the festival, it was also an admission to the monastic house.

Jo Hunt, commercial manager at Newstead Abbey, said: “And although we had quite a bit of rain on Monday, that didn’t really affect us.

“We are always looking for events to attract more people.”

Alison Hardwick, from Southwell, said: “It’s much bigger than I expected - it’s lovely.”

And not only did nearby residents attend, one woman, Susan Reistruck, was visiting all the way from Seattle, USA.

She said: “It’s such great idea for a day out.”

The event did so well the organisers are already looking at holding another event.