Harvest boon
JULIA DELAHAYE discovers the tastiest trips around the UK for foodies to celebrate a ripe bounty this autumn
THE last days of summer are often the most glorious, with warm rays bathing landscapes in a golden light. As we head into autumn, trees turn bronze, hedgerows gleam with ruby berries, and farm fields burst with pumpkins and gourds in radiant hues.
Since pagan times, people have been reaping the rewards of their agricultural efforts and celebrating food with harvest festivals.
Today, events provide an opportunity to taste fine products, learn about food production, and participate in creative fun and games.
If you’re after a tasty day out, here are some of the best events taking place over the next few weeks...
BITE-SIZE ENTERTAINMENT
More than 2,500 varieties of apples are grown in the UK, and many reach their russet peak in the next few weeks.
Given a royal seal of approval by Queen Victoria, who declared it was “her little town in the orchard”, Tenbury Wells has a large number of orchards and hops.
On October 2, Tenbury Applefest celebrates the 300 varieties grown locally, with entertainment from Morris dancers and a ukulele band. Shops also take part in an apple-themed window dressing competition.
Visit tenburyapplefest.co.uk
A GRAPE ESCAPE
In the last few years, British wines have soared in quality. Kent is famous for being the garden of grapes, and the harvest season is an exciting time to visit its vineyards.
The Nest at Gusbourne Wine Estate in Ashford, producers of English sparkling wine, offers several visitor tours.
Learn how grapes are picked by hand and sent to the winery for pressing, explore the 90 hectares of land on a guided walk, enjoy a wine tasting, or extend a visit to lunch.
Packages are available from Sept 23 to Oct 3. Visit gusbourne.com
PUMPKINS AND DRAGONS
Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire provides a delightful setting for a new autumn festival, taking place from September 24-26 and October 1-3.
Along with workshops on foraging and guided tours of the stately grounds, there will be a food market, dragon maze trail, live music and family games.
Arrivals will be greeted by a harvest dragon and you can take part in a bestdressed scarecrow competition.
Tickets to the park and gardens cost £18.50 for adults, £9 for children (aged 5-16) and £17.50 (aged 17-25). Visit blenheimpalace.com
A HISTORY OF HARVESTS
The tradition of harvest festivals has its roots in ancient civilisations. This year, Cornwall’s Lost Gardens Of Heligan will host the Heligan Harvest festival celebrating Past, Present and Future. Tales will be shared of Victorian ghosts who roam the gardens, and food prepared on the estate will be served.
There will be demonstrations on how to improve your harvesting skills, along with details on how the gardens are fighting climate change with cows.
From October 9-24. Tickets: adults £17.50; children £8.50; under-5s free. Visit heligan.com
HUNTER GATHERER
There’s something very rewarding about shunning supermarket shelves for hedgerows and fields – if you know where to search.
To help fledgling foragers, Burleigh Court Hotel in Gloucestershire has created a Wild Foodie Foraging Experience led by in-house kitchen gardener Emanuelle Paulson.
After a three-hour foraging walk, learning how to identify and pick seasonal edibles, enjoy a two-course lunch in the hotel’s restaurant.
Priced from £65 per person. Sessions will run on Sept 23 and Oct 14. Visit burleighcourtcotswolds.co.uk