Autumn Traditions cont...
DAYSOUT
© National Trust Images Jo Hatcherhy
KNOLE PARK
Knole Park, Sevenoaks nationaltrust. org. uk
Situated within the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Knole Park is a 947-acre stretch of acidic woodland in Kent. Home to around 350 deer and some of the rarest ancient woodland invertebrates in the county such as the oak pinhole borer beetle and rich fungus flora, the park is open to the public year-round. Some may even recognise it as the filming location for The Beatles’ Strawberry Fields Forever music video, though the park is an expansive setting fit for all the family to explore no matter what the occasion.
With little better than an autumn walk in the crisp breeze and cool temperature, visitors can partake in the Knole Park circular walk, starting from the One Tree Hill car park. A 4.6-mile journey that passes through Knole Park’ s woods and grassland, exact directions for the trail can be found on Walking Britain’ s website( walkingbritain. co. uk).
Felderland Farm, Deal felderland-pyo. co. uk
While it’ s not quite pumpkin season yet, make sure you don’ t miss out on the pick-your-own farming experience by heading to Felderland Farm for their delicious blackberries and plums. The perfect Kentish retreat just a stone’ s throw from Canterbury, the farm is a favourite of locals wanting to enjoy a great day out with the family. All pick-your-own experiences at Felderland Farm take place under their polytunnels, an environment which protects crops from the cold weather and rain that can damage the skins of strawberries, blackberries and raspberries- best of all though, it means visitors can pick fruit in the rain without getting wet!
On a three year cycle, their potted blackberries are replanted to help them thrive, and the farm provides plenty of wildflowers for pollinators alongside bird boxes and natural windbreaks. Their PYO, coffee hut and children’ s play area are open 10am- 4pm from Tuesday to Sunday each week, and those planning a visit can find live fruit availability updates on their website.
Hops‘ n’ Harvest Family Festival, Maidstone kentlife. org. uk
From 13- 14 September, Maidstone’ s very own Hops‘ n’ Harvest Family Festival will take place, with a wide variety of entertainment from live music to tractor rides. Across the weekend, the festival’ s itinerary includes hop picking at the Hoppers Hut Arena and Meet the Animal experiences with farmyard friends such as owls, pigs, goats, alpacas and sheep. With plenty for little ones to enjoy, their outdoor play areas and paint-a-pot studio are well worth a visit, and live music from local talent is sure to be a hit with all generations.
Taking place from 10am- 9pm on Saturday, with an earlier finish of 6pm on Sunday, visitors may bring dogs on short leads and groups of 15 upwards can receive a discount on the usual admission price of £ 13 per adult. This relaxed festival is a great opportunity to sample a variety of local ales and ciders while absorbing an expansive programme of events.
HOPS‘ N’ HARVEST FESTIVAL www. insidekent. co. uk • 55