The Ingredients Hunt
A treasure hunt through Shaftesbury's shops — find the ingredients, work out the recipe, win a prize!
Can You Crack the Mystery Recipe?
The Ingredients Hunt is a treasure hunt with a Dorset twist. 10 shops across Shaftesbury will have an ingredient on display. Your challenge is to hunt down the shops, identify the ingredient in each and, once you have the 10, work out what iconic local food you'd make from them. Hand your entrance form in at the Festival HQ or the Arts Centre to enter the prize draw.
How It Works
Pick Up Your Card
Collect your Ingredients Hunt card from the festival information point on the High Street.
Hunt the Ingredients
Visit participating shops around Shaftesbury. Each shop has a mystery ingredient on display — find it and write it on your card.
Work Out the Recipe
Once you've collected all the ingredients, work out what recipe they make. Write your answer on the card.
Claim Your Prize
Hand in your completed card at the festival. Correct answers go into the draw for prizes!
Download Your Entrance Form
Prefer to get a head start? Print your entrance form at home, fill it in as you hunt, then hand it in at the Festival HQ or the Arts Centre to enter the prize draw.
Ingredients Hunt Entrance Form
A4, ready to print. Forms will also be available to pick up on festival day.
Rules & Information
Who can take part?
Everyone! The Ingredients Hunt is open to all ages. Children under 12 should be accompanied by an adult.
Is it free?
Yes — the hunt is completely free to enter. Just pick up your card from the information point.
When does it run?
The hunt runs throughout festival day on 3rd May 2026. Collect your card from 10 AM and hand it in by 4 PM.
What do I win?
All correct entries go into a prize draw. Prizes will be announced closer to the festival — expect delicious food-related rewards!
Where do I start?
Pick up your card from the Festival Information Point on the High Street, then follow the list of shops on your card.
Want Your Shop to Take Part?
If you run a shop in Shaftesbury and would like to host an ingredient, we'd love to hear from you.
Family FAQs
Bringing the kids? Here’s what’s on and how to get involved.
Yes, the festival is very family-focused. FREE activities include:
- Ingredients Hunt across local independent shops
- Children’s art competition at The Grosvenor Arms
Both are designed to be fun, interactive and exploratory.
Yes, the vast majority of the festival is FREE entry.
Some experiences are:
- Ticketed via Eventbrite (by donation or booking)
- Or require advance booking for capacity management: Park & Ride
All Sunday activities conclude at approximately 5pm.
