Top 11 Autumnal Events & Experiences
Celebrate this colourful time of year
Autumn in Herefordshire is a glorious time of year... trailers bring in the harvest of hops, apples and potatoes, whilst the scent of apples drifts on the air. And a series of seasonal events and experiences makes this time of year even more special.
1. Hail the Apple!
Applefest is a new festival (30 Sept to 15 Oct) celebrating the apple harvest. Come to Hereford on the first day for live music and performances, as well as 50+ ciders and perries at the CAMRA marquee, a guided walk through Hereford's cider history and an official Applefest afterparty. Elsewhere in the county, you can join the Ross-on-Wye Cider Club at the Yew Tree Inn or blend your own cider and apple juice at Newton Court Farm.
The ongoing programme of events includes the chance to see traditional horse-powered cider-making at Fair Oak (8th), a blending workshop at the Yew Tree Inn (11th) and the superb Applefest Banquet (14th).
The final weekend serves up the The Big Apple (14 & 15th) with special walks, talks, tours and, of course, cider tastings, at venues in and around Much Marcle.
2. Raise your glass at a Cider Festival
Say cheers to a weekend (1 - 3 September) of delicious food, excellent live music and, of course, incredible cider! This small festival attracts a welcoming community of enthusiasts and cider lovers, and offers a family-friendly atmosphere. Camping available on site and arrive on the Thursday night for Cider Club, featuring an epic tasting of 8 new ciders and perries. This event is put together by the folk at Ross-on-Wye Cider & Perry Co.
3. Visit the Malvern Autumn Show
Look no further for record-breaking giant vegetables, showstopping floral displays, delicious food, shopping galore and plenty of fun family entertainment,22, 23 & 24 September 2023. Special guests include homegrown favourites The Beefy Boys and foraging expert Liz Knight, alongside Bake Off winner John Whaite, food writer Rebecca Seal plus garden designers Adam Frost and Arit Anderson.
4. Take a harvest walk & PYO
Starting from the Autumn Equinox on 22 September, through to 30 September, visit NT Brockhampton to celebrate the harvest season. Discover 65 acres of traditional orchards, pick your own apples and damsons, see the bountiful harvest displays and climb aboard the ‘Hereford Bull’ Trow.
Throughout the week, enjoy various demonstrations, from apple pressing to jam making plus on-site artwork and entertainment throughout the orchards.
5. Take a trip to a pumpkin patch
For a lovely countryside experience try Pumpkin Pete's or Country Pumpkins which are both close to Ledbury or head to The Pumpkin Patch in Marden just outside Hereford.
6. Cycle or drive the Cider Circuits
Explore the spiritual home of cider and perry by following one of our three mapped out Cider Circuits. Perfect by bike or car, each route travels through orchard filled swathes of countryside, calling in at artisan cider makers along the way. Each route is named after a heritage apple variety and includes recommendations for historic pub stops and things to see en route.
7. See ancient & fiery trees
For a fiery blaze of autumn, head to the National Collection of Maples at Hergest Croft Gardens, near Kington. The Maple Grove features many varieties which cannot be found anywhere else in the UK. The 70 acre gardens are situated just below Hergest Ridge so if you have bags of energy, do make time to stomp up the hill for far reaching views and to spot wild ponies. Queenswood Country Park and Arboretum is another favourite spot for enjoying a kaleidoscope of autumnal colour.
There's also guided ranger walks on offer at NT Croft Castle and NT Brockhampton - see our guide to Autumn Colours for more details.
8. Book foraging breaks & fungus forays
Find out about all the different fungi that thrive in the spectacular Hergest Croft Gardens in the company of a knowledgeable guide at on 21 October, 10.15am to 3pm, tickets cost £20 including lunch and entry to the garden.
Or for a foraging break, head to Drovers Rest, a 16th century organic farm with dog-friendly cottages and luxury safari tents. Spend a few hours learning how to identify different edibles, pausing for seasonal homemade refreshments such as hogweed and wild garlic soup or fruit leathers. After the walk, feast on a wild food lunch based on what has been foraged. A three-night safari tent stay four people costs £495, foraging course costs £60 for adults, under 16s £30 (dates include 24 September, 6 October, 29 October).
9. Explore Herefordshire's Vineyards
Herefordshire’s cider-making credentials are legendary but our cup (or should that be glass?!) overflows with fabulous wine producers too. Enjoy vineyard tours and tastings, all in the most stunning of surroundings at Coddington Vineyard, near Ledbury, Frome Valley Vineyard, near Bromyard and Wythall Estate, near Ross-on-Wye.
Make a longer day of it by taking a Wine Walk, three circular routes which all include one of our vineyards en route through gorgeous autumnal landscapes. Or enjoy a Wine Weekend Tour by Bike, which includes a couple of nights' stay in a vineyard.
10. Buy hop garlands
Fresh hops are only available at this time of year so be sure to visit Mark and Lesley Andrews at their award-winning hop farm (Townend Farm, Bosbury nr Ledbury HR8 1JT). Open to visitors in September, on Saturdays 11am - 2pm, Sundays 10am - 12pm and by appointment. Pick up a beautiful fresh hop garland, enjoy a coffee and cake (proceeds to charity) and say hello to their resident donkeys, Herbie and Teddy.
11. Sample the season with a tasting menu
Superb tasting menus are available at several spots around the county. They offer the perfect way to explore local, seasonal produce, often sourced from the restaurants' own kitchen gardens or farms. Expect innovative taste combinations and superlative culinary techniques! Try the tasting menus on offer at Green Cow Kitchens, The New Inn and Michelin-starred Pensons.
Or for a more informal option, we recommend the Streets & Sounds evening, 23 September at The Cider Barn.
