Join in Apple Day fun to keep the autumn blues away

Autumn is all about celebrating the fruits of the harvest before the more severe winter months kick in, but more than that it is an opportunity to get together with friends and family to have fun in the countryside. We have a rich heritage in Devon for combining fun and food and a heartwarming community event. We take a look at just three in the Exeter area well worth a visit. 

Apple Day is an event started in 1990, traditionally in October, by an organisation called Common Ground to be both a celebration and a demonstration of the variety of English apples and the danger of losing variety – not simply in apples, but richness and diversity of landscape, place, ecology and culture too. Apple Day has become a nationally recognized event hosted across the country.

The actual event and theme of the day works off supporting orchards, bringing people back to nature, but leaves room for imagination and apple themed activities. We have a whole host of other proucers lined up to come and sample their products, where possible with an apple theme. We will of course be sampling out our own apples from our orchards and our award-winning cheeses. There is also a live band and a hog roats with a specific area devoted to childrens activities.

Entrance is free.

Apple Day at Quickes Cheese is on today (20th October) from 11am to 4pm.

Enjoy two days in the orchard celebrating National Apple Day and old Devon customs. See Killerton’s 200-year-old cider press in action, have a go at harvesting apples, enjoy stalls, apple-crafts, food and music.

Visit Killerton to celebrate the coming of autumn There is a long history of cider-making on the Killerton estate, where they are passionate about conserving their orchards and keeping this heritage alive. Orchards and old English apple varieties are in decline and Killerton's National Apple Day event will highlight the importance of protecting them for both wildlife and the Devon landscape. 

Bring your own apples Bring along a bag of your own garden apples to the event to mill and press into a bottle of juice to take home and on Sunday meet an apple ID expert who will help identify varieties of visitor’s home-grown cider apples. Stalls will be selling English apple trees, cider-making equipment and books.  

Open 11am-4pm today (October 20) and 1pm-4pm on Sunday.  Adult £2, child £1, family ticket £5

National Trust members and under fives free entry.

The nights are drawing in, the days getting cooler, the seasons are changing and it's time for the last farm event of the year - Apple & Pumpkin Day! Come along with your family for a delightful autumnal event:

• Carve pumpkins grown on the farm in preparation for Halloween. 
• Help us bring in the apples and press them into delicious sweet juice. 
• Clamber on the straw bale den.
• Explore the farm trails on foot or by tractor trailer.
• Feed the pigs.
• Cook over a campfire.
• Get crafty and creative, plus listen to some scintillating storytelling.

All of this served alongside a delicious West Town BBQ and a delightful OrganicARTS cafe. Tickets are £4 an adults, £3 a child or £10 for two adults and two children.

For more events this weekend go to http://www.theexeterdaily.co.uk/whats-on/listings