Get to the core of all things apple this autumn as Houghton Lodge Gardens hosts its annual Apple Day on Sunday 27th September. This year’s event offers a fresh twist with the addition of local cider experts, making it a celebration of not just the fruit, but the craft of cider-making.
For an “apple-tastic” day of fun, food, and folklore, the historic gardens will be a hive of activity from 11am to 4pm. Visitors can immerse themselves in the rich heritage of apples, including many historic varieties rarely seen in supermarkets.
Renowned horticulturist Chris Bird, M.Hort (RHS), of Sparsholt College, will return with his team of experts to offer advice on how to prune and grow your own fruit trees. If you have an apple tree in your garden and aren’t sure if it’s a “cooker” or an “eater,” you can bring an apple to the event for the team to identify. It’s a fantastic opportunity to learn about the apples in your own garden and discover their history.
New this year, Hydes Cider will join the festivities, offering samples and selling bottles of their natural cider. The team will also host talks at 11am and 2pm about their cider-making process, providing a fascinating “field-to-glass” look at a beloved local craft.
The day includes entertainment for all ages. Young adventurers can join a curious “Apple Trail” to solve the mystery of who has stolen the golden apple. Local storyteller Michael O’Leary will return to captivate audiences with enchanting folktales, including his spine-tingling account of the mythical “Apple Tree Man.” The gardens will also host the lively Red Stags Morris dancers, who will perform in the walled garden at 12:00pm and 2.30pm, adding a dash of tradition and fun.
Visitors are also invited to take part in an open wassail, a time-honored ritual to awaken the apple trees and ensure a bountiful future harvest. You can toast the trees with a cup of Houghton Lodge apple juice, chant the wassail song, and make noise to drive away bad spirits.
In addition to the apple festivities, visitors can wander through Houghton Lodge’s stunning gardens, home to over 32 varieties of apple trees. Marvel at the Champion espaliered pear tree ‘Beurre Diel,’ titled the “longest espaliered plant” in the world at 16.44 m (53 ft 11 in).
For those who prefer to enjoy the taste of apples, The Glass House tearoom will be serving a special drinks menu along with apple-based treats and drinks, including a Houghton Garden Gin Spritz.
The gardens open at 10am, and all apple activities will run from 11am to 4pm. Entry to The Glass House tearoom and to speak with Sparsholt College experts in The Orangery is free, but normal entry prices to the garden apply.
