RHS Rosemoor hosts festival of flavours this weekend

RHS Rosemoor has announced its upcoming Festival of Flavours this weekend on October 5-6, inviting the community to celebrate the beauty of autumn and the garden's heritage apple harvest.

This weekend event promises a delightful array of activities, including cookery demonstrations, expert talks, live music, and a vibrant food and craft market.

The festival will feature 40 local traders and craftspeople, offering visitors the chance to explore seasonal produce, deli treats, and handmade gifts in the Garden Room.

Food writer Mark Diacono will lead a session on creating botanical-themed cocktails using home-grown ingredients, while Tineke Cooks will guide attendees through delicious seasonal recipes. Additionally, guests can learn the art of pasteurising from Cornish Country Cordials.

Visitors will have the opportunity to admire the stunning Devon Orchard apple displays, sample different apple varieties, and watch live apple pressing demonstrations. Guests are encouraged to bring their own apples, at least two fruits from each tree, for RHS experts to identify.

For those looking to unwind, Honeywood Orchard will provide a cider bar featuring drinks crafted just three miles away, accompanied by delicious food and live music in the Stream Field.

Festivalgoers can enjoy performances by Crockern, a three-piece folk band from Dartmoor on Saturday, and James Spencer and Rebecca Balzani Barrow, who will entertain with a mix of folk and country-infused rock on Sunday.

Families can also partake in the festivities with activities such as tree climbing and forestry skills hosted by The Kid’s Adventure Company, following a painted pebble trail, and meeting birds of prey from North Devon Falconry.

Stilt walkers will roam the gardens, enhancing the festive atmosphere, along with impressive demonstrations of forestry logging using heavy horses in the Lower Woodland.

Admission to the garden is required to attend the festival, with free entry for RHS members and children under five. All talks, tours, and cookery demonstrations are included with garden entry and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.