“Autumn seemed to arrive suddenly that year. The morning of 1st September was crisp and golden as an apple.” – J.K Rowling

Ornamental gourds plot their escape – much to the delight of our members and guests

As that back-to-school feeling sets in, there’s much to look forward to with the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness in sight. Hedgerows and branches hang heavy with burnished fruit; extraordinary squash and gourds dangle precariously in the Caterpillar tunnel and the productive gardens burst forth with late summer bounty – ready to be celebrated, shared, squirrelled away and stored.

September is the month of plenty across the estate, reflected with a glut of events and seasonal workshops, starting with our first Gather & Grow festival (take note, and get booking!), building up to our big Harvest Weekend.

See What’s On
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What’s on in September

Gather & Grow: Regeneration
Until 1 September

Our first Gather & Grow festival on the topic of regeneration, bringing together some of the country’s leading voices and best chefs, pitches up in the gardens this weekend. Scant tickets remain for Sunday afternoon’s refreshing focus on Self-Regeneration, so make haste and lay your claim.

Book Your Spot

The season of mists and mellow fruitfulness in our Somerset gardens

The Newt’s Natty Navigation Quest
Until 3 September / Included in Membership

Young adventurers are tasked with finding all the games hidden in the gardens. Unlock the codes to reveal the map coordinates, which will lead you to the next game. Pick up your trail card in the Threshing Barn to play.

Hort Course: Late Summer Prune
3, 29 September, 9.30am – 3pm / £150

The onset of autumn is a busy season in the pruning calendar and the ideal time to get your garden into shape. Join Andy ‘Apples’ Lewis as he leads a day of pruning fruit trees to a variety of styles, ensuring their healthy growth.   

Harvest Wreath Making
4, 5 September, 9.30am – 3pm / £150

Create your own long-lasting seasonal wreath using dried fruits, grasses and seed heads from the garden. Floriculturist, Maiko Ishida, will be on hand to inspire, talk you through the art of arranging and guide you on these beautiful natural forms. 

Summer Suppers
7, 14 September, 6.30 – 9.30pm / £60

Gather your friends at the Garden Café for dinner overlooking the kitchen gardens. Our chefs are bringing the best of the season to your table, from glasshouse tomatoes to BBQ leg of lamb with summer squash and salted Somerset strawberries with set yoghurt.

Garden Cafe Summer Suppers feature a five-course tasting menu

Farm to Knife Butchery: Beef 
7 September, 9.30am – 3pm / £275

Join our butchers for the full farm-to-knife experience at our brand new Butchery. Learn to identify the different cuts of beef, sharpen your knife skills and break down a carcass for cuts to take home before an indulgent carnivorous lunch.

Gardener & Chef
11, 25 September, 9.30am – 3pm / £150

One of our favourite alfresco experiences to eke out that summer feeling, our Gardener & Chef sessions offer the chance to harvest your own produce from abundant seasonal spoils before cooking over coals with our expert team and gathering together for a feast.

Dawn Walk: Harvest Time
12, 26 September, 7am – 10am / £45

Join our Head of Programmes, Arthur Cole, on an early morning walk through late summer colour, scent and the gleaming bounty of the season before the estate awakes. Culminating with a hearty breakfast with a view at the Garden Café.

Dry Stone Walling
12, 26 September, 9.30am – 4pm / £150

Try your hand at drystone walling in our all new inspiring creative space in the garden. Master the fundamentals of this ancient craft under the expert guidance of Tom Trouton. You’ll learn about history, design and practical elements; and take away the knowledge to create an array of structures from fire pits to water features.

Hort Shorts: Seed Saving
17, 24 September, 10.30am – 12.30pm / £25

A short-format workshop to harvest seeds from the garden under the guidance of our expert team. We’ll collect seed from the Colour Gardens, Cottage Garden and Kitchen Garden before discussing tips for success in growing and common mistakes. 

Harvest Supper
20 September, 6.30pm / £65pp

Join us for an unmissable feast in the Kitchen Garden with supper club hosts extraordinaire, Horrell & Horrell. For one night only, we’re collaborating on a feast-style menu cooked over fire, showcasing the abundance of riches from the land at this special time of year.  

Harvest Weekend: Deep South Somerset BBQ
21, 22 September, 9am – 6pm / Included in Membership

A celebration of Harvest and Autumn Equinox, members are invited to join us in the gardens for live music, children’s crafts, chef demos and a delicious BBQ inspired by the flavours of the Deep South. Tuck into chowder, hotdogs, spiced British White beef, charred corn and more!

Plan Your Visit

Our Deep South Somerset BBQ makes a return on 21 & 22 September

Gather & Feast

It’s that time of year when there are good times and feasting to be had as the riches of the Harvest come in. Cobs of ripe sweetcorn to jewel-like glasshouse tomatoes, Ramiro peppers and beetroots, abundant salads and herbs are ready to be devoured and shared. 

If you’re quick, use the code ‘Holiday’ for free delivery. (Expires at 23.59pm on 31 August!)

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