What's on in the countryside
Check out our pick of the events on in the countryside this month. Compiled by Catherine Butler.
Telling Tales
Until 6 Sept
Hybrid Gallery, Honiton, Exeter
Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-5pm
Richard Adams' imagination runs riot in his one-man exhibition of fanciful stories in pictures. His vibrant chalk pastel pictures are busy with people, animals, plants and buildings, and even mythical creatures.
(http://www.hybrid-devon.co.uk/ )
3 Painters in a Boat Shed
Until 12 September
This working boatyard will be clearing out their boatsheds for two weeks in September to install three tide table artists. Each will exhibit between 12-15 original works inspired by their personal response to the River Tamar and its estuaries.
Gifford's Circus 2008 Tour
Until 15 September
Various locations (see website)
Adults £16; Children £11
The magical world of Gifford's Circus, as featured in CL (May 2003), returns with ‘Caravan', an electrifying new show set in 1900 in a gypsy horse fair. Drawing on the rich history of circus in Britain, this years' Caravan show revisits the traditions of the touring village green show, popular in England in the early 20<sup>th</sup> Century.
(Bookings: 020 74057422; http://www.giffordscircus.com/)
Behind Sacred Doors: The life and times of Chester Cathedral
Until 21 September
Grosvenor Museum, Grosvenor Street, Chester
Come and discover more about this fabulous building and the monks who once lived and worked there. By taking part in a tour through the building, using reconstructions, objects, paintings and photographs, you will uncover its history.
(http://www.grosvenormuseum.co.uk/ ; 01244 402008)
Beyond the Dolls' House Exhibition
Until 31 October
Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens, Horsham, West Sussex
An exhibition in its tenth year that displays a magnificent miniature masterpiece designed by Helen Holland, depicting an imaginary country estate of 100 years ago. Major additions to the display for 2008 include a bakery, tea room, music shop, ballet school, artist studio, photographer's studio, chemist, doctor's surgery and fishmonger.
(http://www.leonardsleegardens.com/; 01403 891212)
British Society of Master Glass Painters Exhibition
Until 28 November
The Cochrane Theatre Gallery, Southampton Row, London
Monday-Friday 10am-5.30pm, admission free
An exhibition showing the incredible range and diversity of the contemporary stained glass artist, by drawing together over seventy-five panels, each forty centimetres square and hung as a single ‘wall of glass.'
(http://www.cochranetheatre.co.uk/)
Art, Craft and the Village Life of Ditchling
Until 14 December
Ditchling Museum, Ditchling, East Sussex
Tuesday-Saturday and Bank holiday Mondays 10.30am-5pm, Sunday 2-5pm; Adults £3.50, Concessions £2, Children free
Each carefully chosen object tells something remarkable about the village of Ditcling and the people who have lived here. Pieces include tools of village craftsman, school copy book and workshop signs.
(http://www.ditchling-museum.com/)
Make Do and Mend at Chatsworth
Various dates
Chatsworth House, Derbyshire
Chatsworth is running sewing schools, tutored by seamstresses trained at the house and held in the beautiful 19<sup>th</sup> Century theatre in the house. Activities include Fun with Fabrics (7 August) and Fabulous Festive Crafts (21 October). Visit the website for booking and more details.
Farming in the Lim Valley: an exhibition
2-6 September
Baptist Church Hall, Lyme Regis, Dorset
Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Friday 10am-8pm
Free
A large exhibition of more than 700 photographs charting this research project that has looked at the farming and farms in Lyme Regis and Uplyme.
Butterflies, bees and birds - gardening for wildlife
3 September
Cath's Garden Plants, Heaves, Kendal, Cumbria
10am-12.30pm
Join horticulturalist Bob Sanderson for an illustrated talk on a variety of plants that attract insects to the garden.
Wincanton Farmers Market
5 September
The Memorial Hall, Wincanton, Somerset
Up to 22 stalls including, meat, cheese and honey producers.
(http://www.somersetfarmersmarkets.co.uk/ )
Dundee Flower and Food Festival 2008
5-7 September
Camperdown Country Park, Dundee
Friday 11am-6pm; Saturday 10am-6pm; Sunday 10am-5.30pm
This major event in the Scottish horticultural and culinary calendars, offers a three-day event of food, flowers and fun for all the family. This year's highlights include TV gardening presenter, Chris Beardshaw.
(www.dundeefoodandflowerfestival.com)
Midsomer Norton Farmers Market
6 September
Methodist Hall, Midsomer Norton, Somerset
9am-1pm
Includes a local and fair trade café.
(http://www.somersetfarmersmarkets.co.uk/ )
Axbridge Farmers Market
6 September
The Square, Axbridge, Somerset
9am-1pm
Around twenty stalls selling a range of local produce including fish, bread, seasonal fruit and a fair trade stall.
(http://www.somersetfarmersmarkets.co.uk/ )
Dorset County Show
6-7 September
Highlights of this annual agricultural show will include a display from the Royal Artillery Motorcycle display team, The Flying Gunners, as well as beer tents serving locally brewed ales, cookery demonstrations from local food producers and flying displays from Scarlet the Red Kite. There will also be more than 450 stands selling everything from local food to tractors.
(Ticket hotline: 0800 980 4070)
Autumn Plant Sale
7 September
Chatsworth House, Derbyshire
Stock up for autumn planting and take inspiration from the breathtaking setting with a visit to the specialist autumn plant sale at Chatsworth. Visitors can also explore walks with rare trees and shrubs, visit the kitchen garden and rose garden and admire the spectacular grounds. Specialist nurseries will be offering a wide range of plants including herbaceous perennials, trees and shrubs, grasses, orchids, auriculas and more.
Julia Sorrell: Art in Nature
7-28 September
Chappel Galleries, Chappel, Essex
A visual exploration of shape and form observed in the natural world.
(http://www.chappelgalleries.co.uk/)
Mixed media exhibition
7 September - 19 October
Lund Gallery, Easingwold, North Yorkshire
New ceramic sculpture from Peter Hayes, paintings by Ken Jones and Lesley Coates-Jones.
(01347 824400; http://www.lundgallery.co.uk/ )
Exhibition from the Borders
8 -13 September
54 The Gallery, Shepherd Market, London
Featuring work from botanical painter Alison Cooper, and landscape painter Susie Arbuthnott. A percentage of the proceeds will go to the St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital and Shobdon Church in Herefordshire.
(020 7403 5893)
The Norwich Print Fair
8-20 September
St Margaret's Church Gallery, St Benedict's Street, Norwich
Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 11am-4pm
One of the biggest and best-loved independent shows selling contemporary hand-made prints in East Anglia.
Orton Farmers Market
9 August
Orton Village, Cumbria
Opens 9.30am
Seasonal produce from various producers including Bessie Beck's Trout Farm (see our feature this summer), Busy Bees Baking and Cream of Cumbria. This month's event celebrates the Game season.
(http://www.ortonfarmers.co.uk/ )
Explorations
10 September - 5 October
Fifiefofum Gallery, near Corbridge, Northumberland
Free
An exhibition featuring landscapes of ‘true grit'. Artists Jos Mahon and Jane Veitch present landscapes stripped down to their essential and most dramatic components, and which express the elements that continue to shape them. All paintings are for sale and prices range form £200 - £900.
Natasha's Garden
13-14 September
Fowberry Mains Farmhouse, Wooler, Northumberland, NE71 6RN
11am-5pm
Northumbrian artist Sara Riseborough will be exhibiting her sketches, photographs and en plein air paintings in the gardens.
Frome Farmers Market
13 and 27 September
The Cheese & Grain Building, Frome
9am-1pm
Named one of the six best farmers markets in the UK by the Sunday Times, regular stalls include mushrooms, preserves, cooking oils, coffee, olives, meat, cheese and beverages.
(http://www.somersetfarmersmarkets.co.uk/ )
Small Beer and Upper Crust - Focus Day
14 September
Weald and Downland Open Air Museum
11am-5pm
A focus on bread-making and brewing from the Iron Age to Victorian times, based in and around their working Tudor kitchen.
Amazing Grazing in the Alde Valley
19 September - 4 October
White House Farm, Great Glemham, Suffolk
A two-week celebration of shepherding and livestock farming in the Alde Valley of East Sussex. The exhibition will include new livestock drawings by Jason Gathorne-Hardy, paintings by Tessa Newcomb, handmade stick-back shepherd's chairs by Jim Parsons, dairy stools by Raymond Hopkins, tankards by Mercury Hare and oak chopping boards by Ronnie Watling.
New Sculpture Day
20 September
Chatsworth House, Derbyshire
£55 per person
In celebration of two new commissions being installed in the garden this year by Allen Jones and David Nash, Chatsworth is presenting its first sculpture day with talks and tours. Includes refreshments on arrival, a two course lunch with wine and free admittance to the house and garden on the day.
Crewkerne Farmers Market
20 September
Falkland Square, Crewkerne
9am-1pm
With around 30 stalls, produce includes bacon, poultry, olives, puddings, pies and fruit and vegetables.
Dearnford Lake fine foods, art and crafts festival
20 September
Dearnford Lake, Whitchurch, Shropshire
A showcase of local fine food producers and artisans along with a host of attractions. Produce will include farmhouse cheese and ice cream, lamb, beef and pork, homemade pies, bread, preserves and local organic wine. Crafts will include original artwork, jewellery, silver textiles, glass, china and more.
Farm Museum Open Day
20 September
Fanny's Farm Shop, Reigate Hill, Surrey
11am-4pm
See the display of farming through the ages at the farm museum and visit two cutting-flower gardens. There will also be tastings and refreshments.
(01737 554444)
The Festival Feast
20 September
The Lambing Barns, White House Farm, Great Glemham, Suffolk
6-11.30pm
Adults £15, Children £5
(To book call 01728 663 531; riveralde@btinternet.com)
Farm Walk and Dog Show
20 September
Hampton Estate, Seale, Surrey
A dog walk from Hampton, through the park, to the River Wey at Broomfields to see Second World War defences. There will also be a mini fun dog show, and BBQ featuring Hampton Naturally Reared produce.
(01483 810465)
Flower Festival
20-28 September
Fairfax House, Castlegate, York
George Smith, one of the world's most celebrated lecturers and demonstrators in flower decoration, will team up with Acomb Flower Club to create flower arrangements for Fairfax House which will be inspired by the 18<sup>th</sup> Century architecture and decoration of the building.
British Food Fortnight
20 September - 5 October
British Food Fortnight is a national celebration of the diverse range of produce available in Britain. Now in its seventh year, hundreds of events will be taking place across the country in restaurants, pubs and villages to encourage the public to eat, use and enjoy British produce. To find an event near you visit www.britishfoodfortnight.co.uk. Some highlights will include:
Visit Marshfield Farm Ice Cream
20 September
Take a look around the ice cream factory and see the farm. There will also be children's activities and light refreshments.
(www.marshfield-icecream.co.uk)
Mold Food Festival
20-21 September
Mold, North East Wales
Welsh, Asian, Mediterranean and vegetarian cookery demonstrations to whet your appetite, whatever your tastes.
Leicester Shire Food and Drink Fortnight 2008
20 September - 3 October
Various locations across Leicestershire
With this year's theme of ‘diversity' the event will celebrate the diversity and culture of Leicestershire. Activities will include food and drink events, pork pie demonstrations, vineyard tours, cheese tastings and more.
(For more information call 01163057023)
Salisbury Food and Drink Festival
21 September
Featuring a cornucopia of local produce from Wiltshire Farmers' market stalls, a food hall, beer and wine tent, demonstrations, hog roast and tea dance.
Harvest Pig Roast
21 September
The Royal Hotel, Comrie, Perthshire
An annual pig roast in the Tithe Barn
Nantwich Food and Drink Festival
26-28 September
Cookery demonstrations, beer festival, tutored tastings and foraging walks are among the activities and events taking place during the festival. It also coincides with Nantwich's monthly farmers' market.
(www.nantwichfoodfestival.co.uk)
South Somerset Food Festival
27 September - 5 October
West country cheese-tastings, a wild foods day and traditional cream teas and more.
(www.southsomersetfoodfestival.com)
The Great British Cheese Festival 2008
27-28 September
Cardiff Castle, Wales
Highlights will include Britain's biggest cheese market, a food from Britain market and The Cardiff Arms will be serving British beers, ciders, perry and wines.
Brecon Beacons Food Festival
4 October
Featuring over 60 Welsh food and drink companies.
The Forest Showcase
5 October
Sample some of the best produce from local food producers in and around the Forest of Dean
(For information email Amanda.smith@fdean.gov.uk)
Teddy Bears' Picnic and Dolls' Tea Party
21 September
Finlaystone Country Estate, Langbank, Renfrewshire
Adults £3.50, child £2.50
Children can bring their teddy or dolly for a special tea party. There will be fun and games for all with magic and puppet shows.
(01475 540505; www.finlaystone.co.uk)
New Zealand Wine Tasting Dinner
25 September
The Rectory Hotel, Malmesbury, Wiltshire
£60 per head. There will also be 10% discount on any overnight stays.
Guests can enjoy a glass of champagne in the hotel's grounds before sitting down to five courses of locally sourced produce designed specifically to compliment the range of New Zealand wines on offer throughout the evening.
Give me Shelter exhibition
26 September - 27 September
Attingham Park, Shropshire
An exhibition that explores man's changing relationship to the land through new sculptural work and installations in the grounds of this 18<sup>th</sup> Century National Trust mansion.
Wigtown Book Festival
26 September - 5 October
Wigtown, Scotland
The tenth Wigtown Book Festival set in spectacular Scottish countryside.
FRED: Cumbria's outdoor art festival
26 September - 12 October
Various locations in Cumbria
The rugged fells, shimmering lakes and sun-drenched fields of Cumbria become the backdrop for Europe's biggest outdoor art festival. This year there will be 45 artists will bring the region's landscape alive with a variety of different events. Highlights will include an entire farm wrapped as hay bales, a 12-foot giant feather, a poetry petrol station and sounds generated from a lost underwater city.
Ockley Food Fair
27 September
Ockley, Surrey
Mini farmers' market and cookery demonstration at Village Greens farm shop. Meet the farmers whose food is found in the shop, see their wide range of produce and find out how best to cook it.
(01306 713474)
Glastonbury Farmers Market
27 September
St Johns car park, near the High Street
9am-1pm
There is a good selection of produce at this monthly farmers' market including cakes, pastries and vegan products, sheep's cheese and game.
(http://www.somersetfarmersmarkets.co.uk/ )
David Humphreys: New Paintings
27 September - 12 October
Moncrieff-Bray Gallery, Petworth, West Sussex
An exhibition of new paintings by artist David Humphreys, as previously featured in Country Living. This latest body of work includes paintings of Sussex, the Outer Hebrides and series of intimate nudes.
Willow Legge Sculpture
27 September - 12 October
Moncrieff-Bray Gallery, Woodruffs Farm, Petworth, West Sussex
An exhibition that brings together sculpture and drawings spanning fifty years by Willow Legge.
Amanda Thomas: New Paintings
27 September - 12 October
Moncrieff-Bray Gallery, Woodruffs Farm, Petworth, West Sussex
Amanda Ward Thomas's new paintings are a celebration of life, energy and movement whether it be the mad energy of galloping horses and hounds, the thrill of the race course or the lithe movement of dancers.
The Art of Cornwall
27 September - 23 October
The Wonderwall Gallery, Cirencester, Gloucestershire
An exhibition featuring the work of some of the leading contemporary artists living and working in Cornwall including Paul Geraghty, Michael Hill, Annie Metcalfe and Jean May Parsons.
Surrey County Ploughing Match and Country Fair
28 September
Loseley Park, Guildford, Surrey
Ploughing competitions for horse teams, vintage and modern tractors.
(01483 890810; www.surreycountyshow.co.uk)
Garden Tour at Finlaystone
28 September
Finlaystone Country Estate, Langbank, Renfrewshire
Adults £3.50, child £2.50
A garden tour with head gardener Ian MacNichol, discussing plants and seasonal highlights.
(01475 540505; www.finlaystone.co.uk)
Autumn Colour
12 October
Finlaystone Country Estate, Langbank, Renfrewshire
Adults £3.50, child £2.50
An afternoon of activities with trails, talks and fun to celebrate the autumn colours.
(01475 540505; www.finlaystone.co.uk)
Contemporary Craft and Fine Food Fair
29 - 30 November
Enginuity, Near Irongbridge, Shropshire
10am-5pm, £2.50
Bringing together some of the West Midlands' finest craftsmen and women for their annual flagship exhibition. For the first time the makers will also be joined by the region's top food and drink producers in association with the Heart of England Fine Foods.
Permanent Fixtures
The Flower Barn
Open all year
Tuesday - Saturday 10am-5pm, closed Sundays and Mondays.
Country Living for the home and garden.
(http://www.norpar.co.uk/ ; 01277 374968)
Artist's Studios at Hylands House
Open all year
Hylands House, Chelmsford, Essex
Visitors to Hylands Estate can now appreciate the skill of local craftspeople in the newly restored Stables Centre. Currently there are seven local artists appearing at the centre on Sundays and Mondays throughout the year. Visitors can watch them undertake their craft work and purchase the finished products. Work includes silver, ceramics, textiles, paintings, glasswear and stonework.
(01245 605520. For information about Hylands House call 01245 605500 or visit the Chelmsford Borough Council website at http://www.chelmsford.gov.uk/hylands_).
Artone Contemporary mixed media by Gallery Artists
The John Russell Gallery, Ipswich, Suffolk
Gallery opening hours Monday - Saturday 9.30am-5pm
A continually changing, mixed exhibition running alongside the featured solo show, this is the year round show case for The Gallery's entire portfolio of artists.
(http://www.artone.co.uk/; 01473 212 051)
PLEASE NOTE: WHILST EVERY CARE HAS BEEN TAKEN IN COMPILING THESE LISTINGS, WE ADVISE YOU CALL IN ADVANCE BEFORE SETTING OUT TO ANY OF THESE EVENTS, AS THEY MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE, ALTERATION OR CANCELLATION.
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