Food Glorious Food! Discover Nature’s Larder in South East England this Autumn

4th September 2024

The word ‘harvest’ originates from the Old English word hærfest meaning ‘autumn’.  As the landscape changes colour and the nights draw in, yet the climate remains mild, Autumn - the “season of mists and mellow fruitfulness” - is the perfect time to discover South East England’s growing champions, artisanal produce and culinary pleasures. So head to a harvest, taste at a taproom or frolic at a food festival this autumn.

What’s your favourite autumn produce grown and harvested in South East England? Share your thoughts using hashtags #ExperienceMoreIn2024 or #lovesoutheastengland.

Craft Beer

British hops were first grown in the counties of Kent, Surrey, Suffolk and Sussex which today accounts for approximately half of all British hops harvested at Autumn. It’s therefore no surprise, that the South East produces some of the best craft beer in the country. Head to the Brewhouse Project in West Sussex, the taproom and restaurant for the Arundel Brewery to discover some fantastic Sussex beers or the NorthDown Brewery, Margate's first working brewery in over 50 years, where you can taste wonderful beers brewed by the sea. To grab yourself a great pint…or several… join the festivities at Eastbourne Beer Festival from 3-5 October 2024, and choose from over 100 cask ales, craft beers, ciders and perries.

Pumpkins

Nothing screams October louder than Pumpkins! Whether to be carved, baked or for decorative purposes, you’re sure to find the perfect produce at Tulleys Farm in West Sussex, home of the UK’s largest pumpkin festival. There’s also pumpkins, squash and other cucurbits of all shapes and sizes to be found at Sunnyfields Farm, near Southampton, Hampshire and at Tapnell Farm on the Isle of Wight. So grab your wheelbarrow and get lost in a sea of orange fields!

English Wine

English wine has attracted attention and international awards with increasing speed over recent years with the South East dubbed “English Wine Country” because of its perfect growing conditions and the success of its vineyards’ wines. Chapel Down’s premium collection of wines produced from their finest vineyard, Kit’s Coty is found near to Maidstone in Kent.  Also nearby is Biddenden Vineyards, Kent’s original vineyard and Balfour Winery which, as home to some of England’s most vibrant flora and fauna, is the perfect destination for nature and wine lovers alike. Stroll through the beautiful landscapes, take of a tour of wineries during harvest and of course sip the award-winning wines.

Tomatoes

The trusted tomato - is it a fruit or a vegetable? And how does the colour change the taste? Isle of Wight Tomatoes in Arreton have been defending the true taste of the popular fruit for over 15 years, producing more than 40 varieties across the colour spectrum plus delicious hand-crafted products. The Isle of Wight’s unique microclimate and fruitful fertile fields surrounded by 57 miles of coastline create an exceptional growing environment for a variety of fantastic local produce.   

Venison

As the nights draw in and the temperature drops, many of us look to enjoy richer, slow cooked, hearty dishes. The Isle of Wight Deer Farm – a 334 acre farm, home to hundreds of Red Deer and Fallow Deer, offer pre-booked tours to help visitors understand natural farming techniques and how choosing venison assists countryside management and protects farmland and forests. If you want to learn how best to cook venison and game meats, join the Autumn Cookery Workshop on the 7^th October 2024 at Webbe's Cookery School in Rye, East Sussex, or head along to Stansted Park farm shop and buy your own vension burgers to cook at home.

Gin

Since it opened its doors 10 years ago, the contemporary glasshouses and heritage setting of the Bombay Sapphire Gin Distillery near Basingstoke, is now as famous and instantly recognisable as its blue bottled gin. Tour the distillery for a behind the scenes look at the skill and artistry required to create the award-winning gin, explore the flavours of the botanicals and create a cocktail designed for your palette. Further south in Hampshire, you’ll find The Portsmouth Distillery who create artisan gins and rums within the 18th century Fort Cumberland, a Historic England property and whose Tudor Rose Gin is made with botanicals discover on King Henry VIII’s Mary Rose.

Autumn Food Festivals

The Romsey Show, Hampshire, 14^th September 2024

The traditional country show held on the magnificent Broadlands Estate Romsey each September celebrates the countryside, wildlife, farming, rural crafts and local produce. There’s local produce galore in the Food Zone and Food Courts as well as chefs demonstrations, producer talks and a skills kitchen.

Rye Harvest Wine & Food Fair, 1066 Country, 14-15 September 2024

The brand new two day Harvest Wine & Food Fair in medieval Rye enables visitors to discover a carefully curated range of sustainable produce, from land and sea, within a 40 mile radius of Rye.To celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the beautiful town, the festival will be run in collaboration with the Rye Arts Festival.

Broadstairs Food Festival, Kent, England, 27-29 September 2024

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Set in the charming seaside resort of Broadstairs in Kent, the annual food festival showcases “The Garden of England’s” fantastic seasonal produce, artisanal good and culinary expertise.  Browse the food stalls, join a tasting, watch a cookery demo and soak up the chilled coastal atmosphere. 

Didcot Food Festival, South Oxfordshire, Saturday 5th October 2024

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This growing autumn food festival is organised Great British Bake quarter-finalist Christine Wallace and this year will be opened by the Junior Bake Off Champion, Tilly. The festival continues to grow in popularity with an ever increasing number of fine food suppliers plus fun skills demos by fantastic chefs.

Discover a host of other food and drink festivals across South East England with our popular events page.

Don’t forget to tell us what autumn produce you’ll be hankering after this season! Share your thoughts with using the hashtags #ExperienceMoreIn2024 or #lovesoutheastengland.

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