At the end of October, Burton Agnes Hall will host its inaugural Autumn Festival. This new event in the Elizabethan stately home’s calendar reinvents the much-loved Michaelmas Fair, bringing the finest local food, drink and craft stalls, with festival entertainment, to the Hall’s stunning grounds.
During the weekend of the 27th and 28th October, the festival will showcase fabulous local produce, local artisan beers, ciders – and gins! – to enjoy at the festival or to take home, and a great selection of unique, hand made gifts and crafts.
Under the canopy of a Festival music tent, fabulous live music will play throughout the weekend including the Ukulele Assembly Line, the Tuba Dudes and many others.
Simon Cunliffe-Lister says: ‘I’m hoping that visitors will settle in, enjoy a pint or two of locally brewed beer or cider and some really good food whilst listening to some great live music – and be inspired to explore the craft and gift stalls.’
Traditional street performances include sword dancing and Morris dancing, and fairground rides will run throughout the weekend. With Christmas around the corner (we’re crafting our decorations at full throttle!), visit the house and enjoy Christmas craft demonstrations including wreath and decoration making and take some new-found inspiration home.
Set amongst the stalls, visitors will find Burton Agnes Hall’s courtyard shops. The Garden Shop and the Gift Shop will offer tempting and unusual gifts, souvenirs and seasonal produce. Delicious treats await visitors in the café, where freshly prepared meals, warming drinks and soups and home baked cakes will be served throughout the weekend.
Throughout the festival weekend and during the half-term break, Burton Agnes Hall will also be daring visitors of all ages to take part in a spooky woodland trail. Clues will be hidden in the Hall’s woodland, where dramatic and imaginative Halloween scenes will hide among the creaking trees and rustling bushes!
Immediately after the Michaelmas Fair, the family will be busy dressing the Hall for its Christmas opening. From the 14th November until the 23rd December (opening hours 11am-5pm), visitors are invited to come and see the Cunliffe-Listers’ home, lovingly decorated and gloriously festive.
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