Blenheim Palace is celebrating all things autumnal over the weekend as part of its brand new Autumn Festival (Friday, 1st October to Sunday, 3rd October).
Based around the historic Walled Garden, the event features delicious street food, live music and theatre, family harvest games, haybale sports, a sculpture trail, competitions, workshops, talks and market stalls as well as a Dragon Maze and a 22ft long Wishing Dragon.
Highlights over the weekend include a visit from the Hook Norton Brewery shire horses and their heritage dray, wild mushroom foraging walks, talks on the history of Blenheim’s gardens and beekeeping, as well as children’s entertainers Madame Zuccini and the Walled Garden’s very own Madame Wanda Round.
Plus, to celebrate the great British apple, acclaimed food writer and chef Ursula Ferrigno is hosting a series of cookery demonstrations on how to make the most of your apples (separate charges apply and pre-book online).
The best of Oxfordshire’s local breweries, distilleries, cider and juice makers will also be available in the Blenheim Orange Bar in the beautiful festival tent and the Fairie Orchard Cider bar.
A further 50 market traders from across Oxfordshire and border counties will come together to form the Michaelmas Market, selling locally produced food and drink, crafts, eco homewares and gifts alongside street food specialists Feast Street.
On Saturday, 3rd October they will be joined by a dedicated vegan and eco products market alongside special tasting and demonstrations to celebrate Apple Day, next to the estate’s own orchard of Blenheim Orange apple trees.
Devised by acclaimed creative designer Charlotte Lloyd-Webber, the event is a re-imagining of the traditional Harvest and Michaelmas Festivals, but with a decidedly modern green twist.
- For more details and to pre-book online visit www.blenheimpalace.com
Issued on behalf of Blenheim Palace. For more information please contact Samantha Vaughan on 07469 129743 or SVaughan@blenheimpalace.com or Niamh O’Sullivan at NO’Sullivan@blenheimpalace.com.