One of the delights of autumn is the great British apple. Tangy and delicious,
apples are ripe for picking right through to November. Apple Day, in
October, marks the culmination of the apple season. In celebration, many
orchards are being opened to the public this weekend and next, offering
guided walks — some orchards exceed 400 acres — and fruit identification
seminars, as well as the opportunity to sample fresh-pressed juices and
ciders.
Some farms let you pluck fruit off trees as you stroll. Here are some of the
best Apple Day events — for more information, or to find an orchard in your
area, visit www.commonground.org.uk.
LONDON
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Do you know a Bedwyn Beauty from a Cox’s Pippin? If not, head to Kew
Gardens, which as part of its Autumn Festival, is holding a display
featuring more than 200 types of apple. At weekends, experts will be on hand
between 10am and 3pm to answer questions and you will be able to taste some
of the apples on display. Afterwards you can join a free guided walking tour
or take your own route round the 300 acres of Kew Gardens.
Where Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
When Kew is open all year round and the Autumn Festival runs
until October 29.
Cost £11.75; children under 17, free.
Contact 020-8332 5655; www.rbgkew.org.uk
KENT
Perry Court, Ashford
Having joined up with several other producers Perry Court, which is
celebrating its 20th anniversary, is offering more than 200 varieties of
apple — twice as many as the farm normally grows — making this the ultimate
apple-lover’s event. Apple and juice-tasting, pork with apple sauce and
apple cake are also on offer. Walk off the food with a guided tour round the
orchard or learn how to prune an apple tree.
Where Perry Court, Bilting, Ashford.
When October 21-22, 10am-5pm.
Cost Free.
Contact 01233 812408; www.perrycourt.com
SOMERSET
Charlton Orchards, Taunton
Open for walking throughout the season, the orchard grows 30 kinds of apples
and is spread over 45 acres. If you visit for the Apple Day event you can
combine a long walk with games and competitions (such as apples on strings,
longest peel, guess the weight, name the apple) as well as displays and
tastings of 30 varieties of apple and 10 varieties of juice. Robin Small,
the fruit expert, will be on hand for apple identification if you bring
along your own home-grown goods. Look out for Cox’s Orange Pippin, Somerest
and Egremont Russett varieties.
Where Charlton Orchards, Creech St Michael, Taunton, Somerset.
When October 21, 10am-5pm.
Cost Free.
Contact 01823 412959, www.charltonorchards.com
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
Home Cottage Farm, Iver
This is your chance to participate in apple archery, or to try making apple
dolls and juicing apples. Although this Apple Day event doesn’t feature
guided walks, you can head for the trees — where there are 13 varieties of
apple — to pick your own. If you miss the event, come another time to pick
your own and to stock up on orchard produce.
Where Home Cottage Farm, Bangors Road South, Iver.
When October 21, 11am-4pm.
Cost Free.
Contact 01895 270730; www.ivernature.com
HEREFORDSHIRE
Much Marcle, Ledbury
The parishes of Marcle Ridge hold a collective event this weekend called the
Big Apple, during which the area’s numerous orchards are open for walks,
bike rides, tastings, games and talks. Tomorrow is the Big Apple Bike Ride,
which will follow country lanes and stop off at orchards and cider-makers.
There is also the Marcle Ridge Walk, a seven-mile trail through the orchards
of Putley. The bike ride leaves the Market House in Ledbury at 10.30am
(01531 635432); the walk sets off from Ridge Car Park at 9.30am (01531
631346). Other Much Marcle events include: tastings at Weston’s cider mill
from 10am to 4pm, with guided tours at 11am and 2.30pm (£4/£2.50), plus
shire-horse dray rides (£2.50/£1.50); guided walks through Awnells Farm’s
orchards, 11am to 5pm; and a talk by Robin Page, the chairman of the
Countryside Restoration Trust at 3pm.
Where Much Marcle, Ledbury
When Today and tomorrow, times vary.
Contact 01531 670544, www.marcherapple.net/bigapple
YORKSHIRE
Yorkshire Orchards, Wilberfoss
This is a weekend-long event, with more than 60 varieties of apple on display
— Annie Elizabeth, Balsam and Belle de Boskoop are particularly good. There
will be walks among the orchard’s 80 trees as well as games and an expert to
identify apples brought from home.
Where Yorkshire Orchards, White House Farm, Wilberfoss, near
York.
When October 21-22, 10am to 4pm.
Cost Free.
Contact 01759 380375; www.yorkshireorchards.co.uk
POWYS
Tyn Y Wlad Farm, Nr Crickhowell
If you can get to the Arts Alive centre on Brecon Road today by 10.30am you
can join a walk to the orchard via the dramatic Table Mountain. From 1.30pm
at the orchard there will be tree-planting, children’s games, competitions,
stalls and apple-growing advice.
Where Tyn Y Wlad, near Crickhowell, Powys.
When Today.
Cost Free.
Contact 01873 811579
CAMBRIDGESHIRE
Wisbech St Mary, Wisbech
Join a guided walk today at 2pm through some of the area’s finest
orchards, then head into Wisbech Market Place for apple bobbing, apple
stalls, music and a shop-window apple hunt.
Where Wisbech St Mary, Cambridgeshire.
When Today.
Cost Free.
Contact 01945 583263
DEVON
Cockington Court, Torquay
Tomorrow’s Apple Day event is one of Devon’s largest. Set in a 17th-century
manor house with 450 acres of beautiful grounds, it is grander than the
rest, too. There will be a walk through the large orchard, children’s games,
a falconry display, cider pressing on a Victorian press and an apple room
with 200 varieties. Visitors can also try apple-bread-making.
Where Cockington Court, Cockington, Torquay.
When Tomorrow.
Cost Adults £3, children free.
Contact 01803606035, www.countryside-trust.org.uk
