Winning tip: Good gourd! Pumpkins and live bands in West Sussex
Our family’s favourite place to visit in autumn is Tulleys Pumpkin Farm in West Sussex (its pumpkin festival runs until 31 October). The pumpkin fields are impressive, with an astonishing variety in all colours, shapes and sizes. The kids love exploring and picking out their favourites. Be sure to wear sturdy shoes, as the fields can get muddy. The farm also features food and drink trucks, plus live music.
Ariadne
Apple day at Fulham Palace, London
Fulham Palace Apple Day (6 October), right on the Thames in west London, is theoretically a celebration of the apple harvest but is really an excuse for a family festival. The day offers everything you could want for full harvest festival vibes: an orchard tour, “chicken chat” (chatting is not mandatory), an honest to goodness tombola, a baking competition, line dancing, a picnic, a market and an apple trail treasure hunt. We loved it.
Ry
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Fungi forays
Fungi foray events are very enjoyable, offering guided walks through ancient woodland foraging for wild mushrooms. I had a unique autumn experience at the National Trust’s Dunham Massey in Cheshire last year. But wherever you do it you’ll find expert mycologists leading the foray, providing fascinating insights into the species found in your chosen area. It’s a great opportunity to learn about edible and poisonous fungi, and the one I attended was followed by a cooking demonstration. To join one, check your nearby National Trust property or arboretum.
Kriti Thapa
Harvest festival on the North York Moors
Part of the St Aelred’s pilgrim trail, the tiny Church of Saint Mary Magdalene at East Moors was built in 1882 to serve the farms scattered across the North Yorkshire Moors. Now only open for occasional services, this hidden place has one of the most traditional harvest festival services there is. Local cereal crops, flowers, fruit and vegetables decorate every window ledge, the familiar hymns are sung, and there’s a hearty supper for everyone. The church is fragrant, the welcome is warm, and the whole experience celebrates the farming community, and those who work so hard to produce food.
Elizabeth
Birmingham Honey Show is the place to bee
There was a real buzz at the Birmingham Honey Show, at Winterbourne Gardens (on the Birmingham university campus), in early September. The display tent featured enticing jars holding every autumnal honey hue, from pale lemon to deep amber, alongside beeswax candles, tubs of honeycomb, moist honey cakes, mead and more. From artisan traders and craft tables to live bee demonstrations (my toddler was fascinated by the queen), there was so much to enjoy in the beautiful botanical surroundings. Plus, entry was free as part of Birmingham Heritage Week, which justified my purchase of a weighty jar of award-winning local honey. Sweet.
Jemma Saunders
Northamptonshire treasure trove
Crick Woods is a hidden gem in Northamptonshire, brimming with nature’s bounty. Come late summer and autumn, these woods are a treasure trove of wild damsons, plums, blackberries, walnuts, pears and an incredible variety of apples – perfect for filling your basket with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Foraging has long been a passion of mine, and I encourage others to enjoy the bounty our landscapes provide. Just be sure to forage responsibly – take only what you need and leave plenty for the wildlife.
Clare Baskott
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Mixing it up in Edinburgh
By chance last year I stumbled on the annual Edinburgh Cocktail Week (11-20 October) – and stumbled out of it a couple of days later. The city was bathed in a beautiful soft autumn light on most days and a £5 wristband gave us access to £5 signature cocktails at brilliant pop-up bars. This year there’s also a new champagne lounge, live music and a plethora of street food stalls.
Nick
The flavours of heaven, in Devon
The free-entry annual Tavistock Goose Fair in Devon happens on the second Wednesday of October. This fun-filled family friendly event has stood the test of time since its inception in the 12th century, which is a true testament to the joy it brings to all ages, year after year. With over 200 stalls, many of which are food-and-drink-themed, there is plenty to tantalise your taste buds including locally produced jams and preserves, homemade fudge, woodfired pizzas and award-winning artisan cider.
Zoe Andrews
New Forest, old traditions
Autumn’s New Forest pannage, where hundreds of pigs are released to forage for fallen acorns in the oak forests is a unique sight. Bramshaw village and lunch at The Bell Inn puts you at the heart of this ancient tradition, which ends on 22 November.
Michelle
Gastronomic island of delight
The Great Isle of Wight Bite festival is at Northwood House in Cowes each year in early September. It’s a weekend of gastronomic indulgence with street food and shopping from the island’s artisan food, drink and craft producers. There’s a demo stage with TV chefs, who this year included Chris Bavin and Valentine Warner. There are cookery classes for adults and a chefs’ den for budding young chefs. My favourite was the food bank challenge, where Warner made a meal from a mystery box of food bank donations. We also took our dog Lottie, as she is extremely fond of food! We ended the night chilling with an Elton John tribute. I’m looking forward to the event next year already.
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