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Harvestime 2012 - October 13th and 14th
For an afternoon, a day or a full weekend – the Big Apple Harvestime Event is a special opportunity to enjoy the autumn countryside in the Herefordshire parishes on the Marcle Ridge. The local orchards are famous for their cider fruit and their excellent eating apples.
Now in our twenty-fourth year, the award-winning communities of these tiny parishes are putting together a collection of small rural events based in and around Much Marcle to enable you to share with us in our tradition of apple growing and cidermaking.
The map on the right shows the locations of the various venues in Much Marcle that usually take part.
The programme is still under consideration but will almost certainly follow the pattern of 2011.
Marcle Ridge Country
Another good reason to come to the Big Apple is simply to enjoy this wonderful stretch of countryside. Hopyards, pasture and soft fruit fields mix with the orchards and woodland to create a lovely farming patchwork.
The slopes of the Marcle Ridge offer splendid views across to the Malvern Hills to the east, while Woolhope, to the west, is within the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Getting Here
Much Marcle lies on the A449 Ledbury to Ross on Wye road.
We are just 15 minutes from the M50 motorway, 2.5 hours from London and 1.25 hours from South Wales and the West Midlands.
Parking
There is car parking at Hellens and Westons. There is some parking at other venues but may be more limited in capacity. Please do not park in areas designated as "No Parking". Most of the Much Marcle venues are within a 15 to 20 minute walk of each other so why not park at one location and enjoy the walk to the other events?
Cycling
This is a popular way of getting around the venues and avoids the hassles of car parking.
On the Sunday we usualy have the annual Big Apple Bike Ride - join a group on a leisurely ride along quiet country lanes from Ledbury to Much Marcle.
Ploughmans lunches and other refreshments are available in Gregg's Pitt orchard, BYO picnic, or book a pub lunch at one of the local pubs.
See also comecyclingledbury.com
Public Transport
If you wish to come by public transport, Transport Direct can work out a route for you - just enter your details in the form below and click on 'Go'. Ledbury has a railway station served by London Midland and First Great Western. (NB can only be used within 3 months of the event)
Using SatNav?
Postcodes are provided for the main locations but please be aware that rural postcode areas can be quite large and you could be taken to a point some distance from the actual event - eg HR8 2LY is the postcode for a large area of Much Marcle - look out for the signs on the roadside when you near your destination.
Local Information
Pixley and District Website
The Cider Route
Visit Ledbury
Accommodation
Look on the Accommodation page for details of accommodation websites and local camping and caravan sites.
