October is traditionally the month in which all things apple and pear are celebrated in the Big Apple event. Although that has had to be cancelled, there are plenty of apple-themed events thanks to Apples for Autumn ... from Visit Herefordshire.
The Hub at St Peter’s Community Centre
Throughout October, The Hub will be celebrating the county’s favourite fruit with a number of apple-inspired soups and cakes on their weekly menu. Pop in to enjoy a bowl of Parsnip and Apple Soup, tuck into a Cheese Scone with Apple Jelly or enjoy a slice of Apple Frangipane with a cup of coffee. hubcommunity.org
If you are in the mood for brunch stop by The Bookshop and enjoy a warming dish of fluffy pancakes, with an Apple Compote, in a calm and relaxed setting with great coffee. aruleoftumcom
In view of the recent restrictions on not having gatherings of more than six people either inside or outside the traditional Apple Pressing Day in Aymestrey has been cancelled this year, but Karen and Simon Abbiss of Abbis Drinks Company would still be more than happy to press for people if they can take their apples to their base: The Barn, Upper Dormington, HR1 4ED. Email: abbiss.drinks@gmail.com
Hellens are serving delicious apple treats at their tearoom on 10 and 11 October. The gardens are full of autumnal glory, picnics and dogs are welcome. Visit the 16th century cider mill and enjoy Hellens’ own pear and apple juice. hellensmanor.com
Drop by Legges butchers, deli and pie shop for a taste sensation. During October Legges are offering a glorious ‘Pork Cider Apple Pie’, and a ‘Stuffed Loin with Apple and Sausage Meat’. leggesofbromyard.com
The mature orchards at Brockhampton have delivered another bountiful harvest this year. Take a visit and enjoy picking your own apples in the traditional orchard of Lower Brockhampton. nationaltrust.org.uk
Friday, October 9
Learn about the history of orchards and their value for wildlife as well as our own wellbeing during a one hour orchard walking tour at Bodenham Lake. You may also have chance to pick a few apples to take home. Please phone to book onto a tour. herefordshirewt.org.uk
Places to stay with an apple connection
Lots of great places with apple connections to stay across the county – The Cider Suite at Broome Farm run by the Ross Cider & Perry Company. Or how about a quirky railway carriage - Green Lane Carriage dates back to Victorian times and has been lovingly renovated by the couple who run the Orgasmic Cider Company. And Orles Barn, a former apple store, where the rooms are decorated in Little Green colours, all named after local apple varieties. visitherefordshire.co.uk
October 10, 17, 24
Swing by Bastion Street Feast food festival one weekend! Bring together the best street food and drinks to enjoy with friends and family. Treat yourself to an Appletini - a perfect mix of Chase Potato Vodka, Hereford Cloudy Apple Juice shaken with fresh lemon juice and a splash of Canadian maple syrup. bastionstreetfeast.com
From October 19
Ralph Court Gardens will once again be transformed for Halloween. Suitable for all ages this daytime event is sure to bring a smile! Enjoy traditional ‘toffee apples’ made using apples grown in their own orchard. ralphcourtgardens.co.uk
Fair Oak Cider
Although Fair Oak can’t have its annual Open Weekend this year, visitors can buy Fair Oak Cider by appointment on the farm in the new tasting room and shop. The 17th-century horse-drawn mill at Fair Oak farm is the only one now making cider commercially in the UK. Tommy the Gypsy Cob, who spends the rest of the year quietly on the hills, has already made two visits to the mill this autumn, with his owners Wendy and John Lloyd; and we’ve filled seven barrels so far, which are all bubbling away in the cider house. fairoakcider.co.uk 01981 241 210
With plenty of parkland walks to enjoy, vintage apple trees laden with fruit (don’t forget to bring your own bag so you can pick some to take home) and the Stables cafe ready with warming treats, there’s something different to do each day at Berrington. nationaltrust.org.uk
Head to The Nest for their special Herefordshireapp, an apple-pickers picnic, their alternative Ploughmans Lunch! A choice of one of their unique Scotch eggs served with nest coleslaw, new potato salad, fresh greens, crunchy red cabbage and apple salad, fresh beetroot and local tomatoes, accompanied by delicious homemade apple chutney. nestledbury.co.uk
The apples and orchards of Herefordshire will be the juicy theme for a half-term workshop session for families at Eastnor Pottery. Potter Jon Williams said: “Eastnor Pottery has been inspired to take part in Apples for Autumn, with ‘Core Strength’ in which participants of all ages and abilities get the opportunity to fashion a ‘superhero apple’ using soft clay. Pre-booking is essential, and social distancing rules will apply. Email admin@eastnorpottery.co.uk, or phone, 01531 633886.
With a bumper crop of juicy apples almost here and acres of orchards looking their very best at this time of year, Visit Herefordshire has created two handy new trails called ‘The Cider Circuits’ to entice more visitors this autumn. This is all part of the month long ‘Apples for Autumn’ celebration of apple themed special events happening throughout October. The county will literally be ‘going mad for apples’. The self-guided routes, both around 50 miles long, can be followed by bike or car and are named after two of the county’s apple varieties: The Newton Wonder heads north from Hereford, while The Redstreak heads south.
Hereford’s popular burger joint is getting in on the apple act, serving apple pie milkshakes and apple slaw all this month in celebration of the county’s favourite fruit.
October 10, from 12 noon
Open press session at The Crown at Woolhope
“Come and press your fruit and make cider with us.” Real cider matches good food and we can arrange cider tastings and flights for you to enjoy with your meal or a good cheese board. Please call The Crown on 01432 860468 to book a slot. thecrowninn.pub
Herefordshire Apples by Sara Jane Arbury
Find Herefordshire poet Sara Jane Vimeo.com reading her poem in celebration of the ‘land of the cider apple and perry pear’, and urging us to‘swig the county down’.
Visit Bigapple.org.uk and watch slide shows of Blossomtime, cancelled this year, but a selection of varieties can be watched as they grow from bud to blossom. Not quite as glorious as the real thing, but a reminder of what we have to look forward to next spring.
Until October 31
Take part in the free Apples for Autumn trail on the LoyalFree app. You’ll be able to discover great tourist spots, some perfect places for a pint of cider or slice of apple cake and much more. Download the LoyalFree app and scan the QR codes at 5+ locations to be entered in a prize draw to win a Hamper of local apple goodies. Trail created by Hereford BID as part of Visit Herefordshire’s Apples for Autumn campaign.
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