If you go down to the woods today, you’re sure of a big street food circus surprise. In beautiful Candleston Woods on the Merthyr Mawr Estate, the legendary Street Food Circus has pitched up with 'Forest Feastival' offering al fresco street eats in an enchanting woodland setting, with wholesome campfires, music and circus entertainment. The festival, which opened on April 18th this year and is on until May 11th, has become a popular annual event for discerning foodies and hungry families. In this secluded setting, plenty of delicious dishes are on offer, and you can also stroll up “Big Dipper”- Wales’ biggest sand dune and head for the Vale of Glamorgan seashore. Marking its 10th anniversary, Street Food Circus (SFC) has spent the last decade championing Wales’ best street food traders and chefs, creating some of the most exciting foodie experiences in incredible settings. “Wow what way to kick off our tenth year, in a woodland, near a Castle by the Sea?" says Street Food Circus founder and ringmaster Matthew Lawton (Matt The Hat.) "We love Merthyr Mawr and Candleston Woods being pitched up for four weekends gives us time to really be at home in the woodlands." New for this year is the Barbecewi area, a fiery celebration of food cooked over flames and a nod to classic Americana. Expect smoky feasts from Westlands BBQ, rolling in with the world’s only BBQ Hotrod smoker, alongside sizzling eats from Feast Pembrokeshire , Two Lads Afghan BBQ, Dough Thrower, Fire & Flank, and Acme Fried Chicken. Over at the Feast from the East zone, new arrivals include Keralan Karavan, Mandala, Ceylon & Beyond, Boa Selecta, and Mr Noodle, dishing up bold flavours and spice-packed plates. "The quality of the food being served is always amazing" adds Matt. "It’s not just about the food but breaking bread together and making memories; we add a special secret ingredient to all our events that makes them magical.” The fun doesn't stop at the food. The brand-new Caravan Stage will sparkle with circus acts, street performers, guest DJs, busking bands, and the madcap energy of Matt The Hat’s bubble disco, complete with a few circus tricks to keep kids (and grown-ups) grinning. When the sun dips, it’s time for After Dark, the adults-only Friday night series that turns the forest into a roaring party. Expect big beats from SFC’s Pamoja Disco Club, surprise guest bands, and plenty of mischief under the forest canopy. As an adventurous foodie, I wanted to check out this year's lineup and sink my teeth into some seriously good eats. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What’s On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here This dog-friendly street food event is deep inside Candleston Woods, where you must follow your nose and walk through a tree-lined path to find the off-beat site. After I scanned my ticket, I plodded up the path, past the shack used for dramatic scenes in Netflix's new action flick Havoc starring Tom Hardy ( Read my Havoc review here ) and was greeted by a whimsical sight, a giant wooden fork and knife marking the entrance. As I wandered in, I was surprised by the expansive site. Dotted around were a myriad of exciting street food stalls and colourful decorations. There’s also a cocktail van, bar, coffee shop and plenty of seating, so you don't have to balance a pint and burger and somehow hold onto the dog. Plenty of delicious smells and wood smoke drifted through the trees, giving the whole site a cosy, campfire vibe. When you’re stuffed and ready to chill, there’s a range of entertainment, from circus workshops to roaming performers and bubbles floating above your head. Check the daily schedule; you won’t want to miss anything. Food-wise, there's so much choice here, from freshly steamed Bao bun stuffed with handmade crispy "beef" and sticky ginger sauce to crispy wood-fired pizzas. I began with one of my favourite traders, Feast, who was cooking up a storm. The smell hits you first, rich, smoky, and unmistakably BBQ-scented. A pleasing mix of sizzling fat, charred meat and smouldering wood that curls into your nostrils and makes your stomach rumble. Under a market-style gazebo and beside a huge smoker, chef Matt Flowers tames the fire and expertly sears meat over a smouldering BBQ. This is Feast , an open-fire pop-up that’s part performance, part pilgrimage for lovers of flame-cooked Welsh produce. I've already tried Feast's banging burgers, so I opted for their signature dish, low and slow-smoked Pork belly. It's a hot honey-drizzled hunk of meat that packs a punch flavour-wise, thanks to being smoked low and slow over coals and infused with the rich, robust flavour of oak wood. Read my full review of Feast here . My long-suffering husband Luke made a beeline for the fried chicken tenders from Acme Fried Chicken. Golden, crispy, and gloriously juicy, these bad boys managed to avoid the usual street food pitfall of rubbery, overcooked meat. Lesser traders could learn a thing or two; this is chicken cooked with tender, loving care. (See what I did there?) Our hungry pals went to another of my fave street food traders, Fire and Flank, who know their way around a steak. My favourite dish? A glorious hunk of beef flank, cooked low and slow sous vide for over two hours until it’s melt-in-the-mouth tender, then seared to perfection for that all-important sizzle and char. It’s served atop a generous bed of cheesy garlic mash and finished with a punchy house chimichurri that packs just the right amount of zing. It’s no wonder they bagged 'Best Main Dish' at the British Street Food Awards; this is a serious flavour with proper flair. Next, we dove into Queso Birria Tacos, a glorious mix of 10-hour braised short rib and brisket beef cooked in a spiced Mexican broth that packs a punch. These spicy beauties were wrapped in fresh, cheesy corn tortillas, topped with a sprinkle of coriander, and came with a pot of consommé for dipping. Straight from the streets of Mexico City, the Church of Churros was also dishing out buckets of golden, sugar-dusted joy. We grabbed a family-sized haul served with rich hot chocolate for dunking. Though we all had to do a little happy dance while waiting for them to cool down because they came piping hot straight from the fryer. Worth the wait? Absolutely. At this point, I was dangerously full, so I had to park myself for a while, letting the music wash over me as I tried to digest a ridiculous amount of food. The beauty of SFC running for a few weeks? I can always come back for round two, more lush food, more cocktails, and plenty more of that laid-back vibe. If you aren't too stuffed, you can also add a walk to your day. After using your allocated time slot at the festival, move your car to another car park and explore the Merthyr Mawr Warren National Nature Reserve. This is a dreamy dune system like no other, stretching across 840 acres, which is equal to the size of 340 rugby pitches. Home to the Big Dipper, the highest dune in Wales and the second largest in Europe, 600m in height, and less strenuous coastal walks with gorgeous views along the beach. The Big Dipper is perfect for a post-street food lunch and challenging physical activity that rewards you with epic views and a relaxing beach walk. The half-mile climb on soft sand leads you to breathtaking views of the South Wales coast below, making it well worth the effort. There are other walking routes if you prefer a steady walk rather than a climb, where you can still be amongst the array of wildlife and nature that Merthyr Mawr has to offer. The beach walk is a moderate stroll that allows you to experience the dunes, taking you straight to the sea. If you're hoping to take a long, relaxing walk after visiting SFC, which gives you time to take in the spectacular panoramic coast views, then the ridge walk is your best option. The ridge walk takes around an hour and a half to complete as you stroll across 3.5km amongst the wildlife brought to the area by the sand settling on top of the ancient limestone cliffs. If you're already dreaming of your next street food adventure, there's plenty more excitement on the foodie horizon. Here's a taste of what's coming up in the Street Food Circus calendar. "In Wales, we have The Big Banquet on the late May Bank Holiday weekend (23-25 May) at Caldicot Castle," says Matt the Hat. "Then, we're launching a brand new event in Pembrey County Park called the Pleasure Gardens. This one’s going to be a blast with the world's Biggest Bouncy Castle, the Wales Street Food Awards, an Indie Craft Market, the canine dog circus, and much more. Plus, you’ll be able to make a weekend of it, with camping and caravanning on-site, making this the perfect Summer Weekend by the Sea." Next, Street Food Circus heads back to St Donats Castle for the Fantastic Fete (1st-3rd August), with family-friendly fun, games, and a big Saturday evening finale. Matt teases, "We’re keeping that finale under our hat for now, but trust me, it’s going to be epic." After that, it’s off to the Big Feastival Festival on the August Bank Holiday, where the Street Food Circus area will bring the heat. To close out the summer, they’ll be rolling into Saundersfoot Harbour between September 5 and 7, where the food will be served on a pirate ship, a perfect end to a brilliant summer. But wait, there’s more! As Matt adds, "We return to Caldicot Castle at the end of September for MABON, a brand new event with Sam & Shauna from Hangfire (26-28 September). You’ll have to sign up to our mailing list via the website or Instagram @streetfoodcircusuk to be the first to know about it!" So, if you're craving more delicious street food, family-friendly fun, and a few surprises, the rest of the year will be one unforgettable foodie endeavour. Ticket information is available at streetfoodcircus.co.uk