HUNDREDS of people flocked to an apple day held at a cottage in Stockbridge to celebrate ancient varieties of the fruit and enjoy the historic gardens.

Houghton Lodge Gardens, in Houghton, celebrated the annual event on Sunday, September 29 at the 18th-century cottage orné, a movement of rustic cottages built during the Romantic movement. 

The event gave visitors the chance to walk through the estate's orchard with more than 32 varieties of trees including the world record-holding espaliered pear tree ‘Beurre Diel’.

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(Image: Sean Dillow (The Big Cheese Photography))

Knowledge about how to grow, cultivate, prune and identify apple varieties was shared by Royal Horticultural Society member and expert at Sparsholt College, Chris Bird. 

For families, a magical 'Golden Apple' was hidden in a trail taking visitors through the gardens before they listened to folktales written and read by Michael O'Leary, including one about the mysterious spirit of the 'Apple Tree Man'.

Attendees also participated in a traditional wassail ceremony, a pagan tradition of blessing orchards to ensure a good harvest for the year ahead.

Sophie Busk, owner of Houghton Lodge Gardens, said: "Apple Day was a wonderful event.

"We were thrilled to see so many people enjoying the beautiful surroundings, engaging with the activities, and celebrating the apple harvest."