Apple Day at Houghton Lodge Gardens

Description

With a bushel of activities, for the whole family to enjoy, Apple Day at Houghton Lodge Gardens near Stockbridge is not to be missed.

Join Mr. Chris Bird, M.Hort (RHS) of Sparsholt College when he returns with some of his colleagues and former students for a day of historic apple wisdom! There will be plenty of opportunities to ask the experts on fruit tree growing, cultivating and pruning along with the chance to view and taste the many varieties.

Hampshire storyteller, Michael O'Leary will return to entertain visitors with his engaging and immersive folk stories from Hampshire. Michael has written several books of tales from Hampshire and Sussex, and in Hampshire Folk Tales for Children he tells of his terrible experience at the hands (branches) of the Apple Tree Man from a time when he worked in Hampshire's Meon Valley. Mike's unique storytelling is always fun as he captures the imaginations of anyone lucky enough to hear them!

Children can also follow clues around the garden on the AppleTrail to help solve the stolen golden apple mystery. Could it be the alpacas, the sheep or is someone else lurking in the gardens?
Apples will also feature on the tearoom menu with Honesty at Houghton Lodge Gardens serving delicious apple treats. Light refreshments will beavailable throughout the day.

As well as these exciting activities, visitors will also be able to wander round the gardens to see over 32 varieties of apple trees, as well as pear, plum, fig and kiwi trees in the kitchen garden and the great espalier pear tree with a span of over fifty feet and named as Britains widest pear tree and Champion Tree.
Gardens open at 10am and all things apple commence from 11.00 - 4.00pm. FREE ENTRY to The Orangery to speak to Sparsholt College and to enjoy the Art Exhibition and Tearoom. The normal entry price to the garden applies. Please book in advance.

For more information about any of the above events and to book tickets
visit www.houghtonlodge.co.uk