What Animals Teach Us

Saturday 30th September – Sunday 1st October 2023

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 they 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 14.00.

Celebrate harvest season as the Charlotte Lloyd Webber Event Design team are back working with Blenheim Palace with the new for 2023 Harvest Emporium, brimming with seasonal produce including Blenheim Palace grown vegetables and cut flowers.

The ever-growing Michaelmas Market is back again for 2023 with over 50 independent Oxfordshire creators, makers and producers to explore alongside artisanal food and drink stalls to sample.

With Britain’s Greatest Palace as a backdrop you can enjoy a packed line up with family friendly performances from WhatNot Theatre and Plunge Boom as well as live music – then dance until dusk with a DJ until 8pm on Saturday.

Entry to Autumn Fest is included with an Annual or Privilege Pass, or a Palace, Park and Gardens or Park and Gardens day ticket.

Visitors can hear from other interesting speakers during Autumn Fest.

Blenheim Palace’s 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.

Good Food Oxfordshire and Worthy Earth will also be giving Kitchen Garden tours, mini talks and demos during the weekend of festivities.

Drinks and Dishes

Soak up the autumnal hues with drinks and dishes created by Blenheim and Worthy Earth using produce grown in the Kitchen Garden, before the autumn equinox brings with it shorter evenings.

Don’t miss sampling some flavours at the Apple and Honey Tasting Bar and stop off at the Blenheim Orange Bar for a tipple or discover food pairings with a sensational range of English wines at the Nyetimber Bar.

From Fashion to Foraging

For the fashion savvy a sustainable catwalk in partnership with Bicester Village will highlight local designers and eco-conscious clothing and interior brands that are stocked at the Oxfordshire shopping destination.

Weave through the wicker sculpture trail and admire the eco-friendly art 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.

Family Fun

Children can join in on the autumnal fun with harvest games, green ‘how to’ and natural craft workshops and race to climb to the top of the hay bale pyramid.

Discover story telling sessions in The Orchard and listen to children’s author Christopher Lloyd in discussion about his latest book focused on sustainability It’s Up To Us.

Written in collaboration with HRH King Charles III’s Sustainable Market Initiative and The Prince’s Foundation, Christopher Lloyd’s book focuses on how we can live and build sustainable communities, an ethos shared with CLW Event Design, the creators of Autumn Fest.

Dogs are allowed in this event.