Autumn Fest is back at Blenheim Palace with a bounty of activities, workshops and speakers to engage all in nature, sustainability and community and this year we are delighted to work alongside Humanimal Trust, the amazing charity founded by Professor Noel Fitzpatrick.
As well as highlighting our connection with nature, sustainable food and craftsmanship, the architects of Autumn Fest will be looking to Professor Noel Fitzpatrick to learn how our relationship with animals is a bond that benefits everyone. Noel Fitzpatrick is the headline speaker at Autumn Fest 2023 and will be speaking on Saturday 30th September at 13.45pm.
Join the Humanimal Team in their dedicated tent for activities across the weekend and join best selling author Christopher Lloyd for readings from his book Humanimal: Incredible Ways Animals Are Just Like Us on Saturday at 3.30pm.
Noel Fitzpatrick is the headline speaker this year, and will share with us Humanimal Trust, a charity he established in 2014 with the aim of creating opportunities for collaboration between vets, doctors and researchers to benefit all living creatures.
Celebrate harvest season as the Charlotte Lloyd Webber Event Design team are back working with Blenheim Palace for another fantastic weekend in the stunning Walled Garden.
The ever-growing Michaelmas Market returns for 2023 with over 50 independent Oxfordshire creators, makers and producers to explore alongside artisanal food and drink stalls with the new for 2023 Blenheim Harvest Emporium, brimming with seasonal produce including Blenheim Palace grown vegetables and cut flowers.
With Britain’s Greatest Palace as a backdrop you can enjoy a packed line up with family friendly performances from WhatNot Theatre, Plunge Boom and Story Telling with the Harvest Dame as well as performance poet Rowan Waller, brilliant live music throughout the day - then dance until dusk with a DJ until 8pm on Saturday.
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SATURDAY 30th SEPTEMBER |
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CRAFTS TENT WITH SUNNINGWELL
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PROFESSOR NOEL FITZPATRICKMAIN STAGE 1:45PM Founder of Humanimal shares his insights over an extraordinary career in “What Animals Teach Us” |
HUMANIMAL TENTDrop in for a host of activities throughout the day and meet the team behind our fantastic charity partner |
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FESTIVAL STAGE PERFORMERSRowan Waller 11.30 - 11.45AM / Maya Kelly 12.00 - 12.40PM / Harry Pane 12.55 - 1.35PM / The Rosellys 2.55 - 3.35PM Harry Pane 3.45 - 4.25PM / The Rosellys 4.35 - 5.15PM / DJ Rob 5.30PM |
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MUSHROOM FORAGING WITH EBONY11AM / 12.30PM / 2PM (Tickets £15) Meeting point @ Blenheim Orange Bar |
THE MAGIC SHED @ PLUNGEBOOM11AM - 1PM / 2PM - 4PM and follow their magic hunt around the garden all day! |
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WHATNOT THEATRE’SThe Turnip Wars |
NO DIG! VEGETABLE GARDENS TOURS11AM / 12.30PM / 2PM / 3.30PM With Worthy Earth & Good Food Oxfordshire - and Very Special Soup! |
ORCHARD STORYTELLINGwith the Harvest Dame |
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SUNDAY 1st OCTOBER |
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CRAFTS TENT WITH SUNNINGWELL
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MEET THE BLENHEIM TEAMMAIN STAGE 11:30AM join us to learn about Blenheim’s exciting projects and have your say in the Q&A! |
HUMANIMAL TENTDrop in for a host of activities throughout the day and meet the team behind our fantastic charity partner |
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FESTIVAL STAGE PERFORMERSRowan Waller 11.10 - 11.25AM / Steady Habits 12.45 - 1.25PM / Holly Carter 1.40 - 2.20PM Savannah Gardner 2.35 - 3.15PM / Steady Habits 3.20 - 3.50PM / Our Atlantic Roots 4.05 - 4.50PM |
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MUSHROOM FORAGING WITH EBONY11AM / 12.30PM / 2PM (Tickets £15) Meeting point @ Blenheim Orange Bar |
THE MAGIC SHED @ PLUNGEBOOM11AM - 1PM / 2PM - 4PM and follow their magic hunt around the garden all day! |
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WHATNOT THEATRE’SThe Turnip Wars |
NO DIG! VEGETABLE GARDENS TOURS11AM / 12.30PM / 2PM / 3.30PM With Worthy Earth & Good Food Oxfordshire - and Very Special Soup! |
ORCHARD STORYTELLINGwith the Harvest Dame |
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SATURDAY 30th SEPTEMBER |
CRAFTS TENT WITH SUNNINGWELL
|
PROFESSOR NOEL FITZPATRICKMAIN STAGE 1:45PM Founder of Humanimal shares his insights over an extraordinary career in “What Animals Teach Us” |
HUMANIMAL TENTDrop in for a host of activities throughout the day and meet the team behind our fantastic charity partner |
FESTIVAL STAGE PERFORMERSRowan Waller 11.30 - 11.45AM / Maya Kelly 12.00 - 12.40PM / Harry Pane 12.55 - 1.35PM / The Rosellys 2.55 - 3.35PM Harry Pane 3.45 - 4.25PM / The Rosellys 4.35 - 5.15PM / DJ Rob 5.30PM |
MUSHROOM FORAGING WITH EBONY11AM / 12.30PM / 2PM (Tickets £15) Meeting point @ Blenheim Orange Bar |
THE MAGIC SHED @ PLUNGEBOOM11AM - 1PM / 2PM - 4PM and follow their magic hunt around the garden all day! |
WHATNOT THEATRE’SThe Turnip Wars |
NO DIG! VEGETABLE GARDENS TOURS11AM / 12.30PM / 2PM / 3.30PM With Worthy Earth & Good Food Oxfordshire - and Very Special Soup! |
ORCHARD STORYTELLINGwith the Harvest Dame |
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SUNDAY 1st OCTOBER |
CRAFTS TENT WITH SUNNINGWELL
|
MEET THE BLENHEIM TEAMMAIN STAGE 11:30AM join us to learn about Blenheim’s exciting projects and have your say in the Q&A! |
HUMANIMAL TENTDrop in for a host of activities throughout the day and meet the team behind our fantastic charity partner |
FESTIVAL STAGE PERFORMERSRowan Waller 11.10 - 11.25AM / Steady Habits 12.45 - 1.25PM / Holly Carter 1.40 - 2.20PM Savannah Gardner 2.35 - 3.15PM / Steady Habits 3.20 - 3.50PM / Our Atlantic Roots 4.05 - 4.50PM |
MUSHROOM FORAGING WITH EBONY11AM / 12.30PM / 2PM (Tickets £15) Meeting point @ Blenheim Orange Bar |
THE MAGIC SHED @ PLUNGEBOOM11AM - 1PM / 2PM - 4PM and follow their magic hunt around the garden all day! |
WHATNOT THEATRE’SThe Turnip Wars |
NO DIG! VEGETABLE GARDENS TOURS11AM / 12.30PM / 2PM / 3.30PM With Worthy Earth & Good Food Oxfordshire - and Very Special Soup! |
ORCHARD STORYTELLINGwith the Harvest Dame |
A beginner friendly foraging walk to reconnect with nature. On our walk we'll identify some edible and medicinal wild plants and fruits that autumnhas to offer. Numbers limited to 12 per group and sold out fast last year! Meet at the Blenheim Orange Bar in the Walled Garden.
Ebony Gheorghe has an academic background in geology and environmental sciences, which naturally informed her love for wild resources, herbalism, and plants. She is an author and runs her own business, Nettles and Bees, selling balms, hair oils, and foraging products. She also offers foraging workshops for children and adults.
Tickets: £15 (+ booking fee)
Meet and put your questions to the Team! Blenheim Palace’s estate and gardening team will be taking to the stage to share their work within the historic Formal Gardens and ‘Capability’ Brown designed parkland whilst the conservation team will highlight what progress has been made on the wider Blenheim Estate promoting biodiversity and their sustainability goals. (Sunday 11.30am)
Good Food Oxfordshire and Worthy Earth will also be giving Kitchen Garden tours, mini talks and demos and will be making their fresh-from-the-garden Soulful Soup for all to try during the weekend of festivities.
Soak up the autumnal hues with delicious drinks and dishes created by Blenheim and Worthy Earth at the Blenheim Harvest eatery, using produce grown in the Kitchen Garden, before the autumn equinox brings with it shorter evenings.
Don’t miss sampling some flavours at the Cider, Apple and Honey Tasting Bar and stop off at the Blenheim Orange Bar for a locally produced tipple, a glass of Nyetimber’s superior English wines and discover food pairings and seasonal cocktails with SkyWave Gins pop-up.
The brilliant Sunningwell School of Art will be creating a fabulous art installation for everyone to add their stamp to alongside Harvest Favour workshops with straw artist Penny Maltby
Weave through the sculpture trail and admire the eco-friendly art and follow Plunge Booms Vegetable baby Hunt within the natural splendour that surrounds Blenheim Palace or get even closer to nature on a guided foraging walk and learn about edible plants in our environment.
Autumn Fest is a great seasonal family day and there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Children – and adults! - can join in on the autumnal fun with harvest games, the new Natural Course and the ever-popular Haybale Sports, mini maze and a race to climb to the top of the hay bale pyramid to admire the best 360 view of the Blenheim Estate!
Free with a Palace, Park & Gardens, Park & Gardens, Annual Pass or Privilege Pass.
Saturday 30th September - Sunday 1st October 2023
Entertainment is included within ticket prices or valid Annual Pass. Some activities are at an additional cost.
Free with Annual Pass or Privilege. Some activities may cost extra.
Dogs are allowed in this event.
