Celebration of Chilterns Food & Drink This October
The Chilterns Walking Festival is back from 16-31 October, this year supplemented with a new and exciting food and drink inspired theme.
The festival will include apple fayres, chutney making, cooking workshops, tours and tastings as well as local produce walks, visiting farm shops, cafes and breweries and sampling local specialities.
Walks and events can be booked online at www.visitchilterns.co.uk/walkingfest.
The Chilterns Conservation Board and National Lottery Funded Chalk Cherries and Chairs Project are excited to be collaborating to celebrate the best of Chilterns food and drink in the landscape this October. With so many amazing local producers to visit, farm shops to explore, as well as free workshops and volunteering sessions to take part in, there is something for the whole family to enjoy. This exciting festival will be running from 16-31 October, with over 75 tantalising walks and events on offer.
Highlights from the programme include:
Local Food & Drink
For those looking to celebrate harvest season, families can head to Donkey Lane Orchard in Chinnor on 24 October for their annual apple pressing day, or to Tring Apple Fayre with a host of apple-themed children’s activities on offer! Enjoy a guided walk around Lacey’s Farm (famous for their ice cream) or a seed gathering walk with Chiltern Rangers in High Wycombe. There are food heritage walks, vineyard tours and tastings, and a Henley Hoppit autumnal walk taking in the Loddon Brewery for refreshments along the way.
The Bodgers Pub tour returns, exploring the fascinating connections between Chilterns pubs and chair-making! Expert guide Stuart King will share stories of the pubs where chair bodgers came for their pint (sometimes before breakfast!) and where some pub landlords set up thriving chair-making workshops. Travelling by mini-bus from High Wycombe, explore pubs and their stories along the way, stopping for a delicious lunch at the Hampden Arms.
History & Heritage
Explore WW1 trenches at Marlow Common, some major drovers routes (and inns!) in the Misbourne Valley, Arts & Crafts architecture in Amersham and Chesham, or explore the former rural industries of Winchmore Hill with local historian Jane Barker.
Health and wellbeing walks
Experience something new with a Barefoot Walk for beginners, a range of Nordic walking and a Mindful walking experience around Aldbury, allowing you to really immerse yourself in your outdoor experience by tuning into all your senses.
Wildlife and Nature
Join Katrina Hughes for a fascinating journey through the world of mushrooms in Penn Wood looking at their mythology and relationship with the forest and other life forms. Bird lovers will enjoy the Wilstone Reservoir Wildlife Wander with the Wildlife Trust, or join Steve at GG Wildlife Experiences for some kingfisher spotting along the Thames. Natural England invite you to discover Barton Hills Nature Reserve with its precious landscape and wildlife.
Annette Venters, People and Society Officer, The Chilterns Conservation Board said: ‘We are delighted to have so many fantastic events planned for this autumn’s festival, and we are especially excited to be able to offer so many food inspired events. With so many exquisite producers across the region it’s wonderful to be able to showcase their produce whilst connecting to the Chilterns landscape.’
Elizabeth Krupa, Communications and Community Engagement Officer of Chalk Cherries and Chairs said: ‘We wanted to showcase the amazing work our farmer cluster are doing with new food and ‘field to fork’ focused events this October, as well as giving local families the chance to learn about habitat management, foraging and helping local wildlife. We are also very excited to be able to offer our successful Bodger’s Pub Tour again, and hope that lots of people will try something new as part of this food fest!’
Full details of events and bookings can be found on the Visit Chilterns website: www.visitchilterns.co.uk