The season of mists and mellow fruitfulness has arrived in style with lashings of foodie fare, art, crafts and spooky fun, Scroll for our pick of the best Northants happenings this month.

FOOD AND DRINK:

Bite Street, Northants County Cricket Ground, 8-9 Oct

Bite Street comes indoors for the autumn and winter, making a new home at the County Cricket Ground. Tables are well spaced with a one way system in place and full table service. Grab your burgers, tacos, curries, bbq and heaps more scran for the street food fan.

Rural Craft and Food Fair, Green Acres Farm, Staverton, Sun 4 Oct

A day out on the farm with a showcase of local producers and homemade food. On site craft workshops including StitchWorx and Deb Jones Willow (above) will have demonstrations and workshops, as well as lovely locally made things to buy. A fab opportunity to support Northamptonshire artisans with a one way system in place to keep everyone safely distanced.

HALLOWEEN EVENTS:

PYO Pumpkins, Saxby’s Cider, Farndish, 17-31 Oct

The autumnal zenith has clearly been met at the carnivalesque intersection of pumpkins and cider. Bring your wellies and head to Saxby’s Cider to p-p-pick a pumpkin and then warm up with a mulled cider while you carve it up back at home.

Pumpkin Spooktacular, Wappenham Farm, 17-31 Oct

Pick your own pumpkin from the vast patch at Wappenham Farm, enjoy one of their super indulgent hot chocolates and settle down with the kids for a spooky story told by the resident mischievous wizard. If it’s Jude Law in his Dumbledore garb then count us in!

Halloween Spooktacular, Evenley Wood Garden, 26-31 Oct

Embark on a spooky journey through the woodland garden, follow the ghoulish trails as you search for the carved pumpkins, try your hand at making one of your own, as well as a spot of wand making and you can feast on terrible treats in the pavilion cafe. Fancy dress is positively encouraged for parents and kids and the best dressed will be in with a chance of winning a family season ticket.

FAMILY EVENTS:

Autumn Family Photography Sessions, Delapré Abbey, 17, 18 &24 Oct

Lacie Cox, whose studio is at the Old Dairy Farm Crafty Centre in Upper Stowe, is amazingly skilled at capturing those elusive, cheese-free, family shots. Book in advance for an Autumn session in the picturesque grounds of Delapré Abbey and enjoy the day exploring the house and gardens.

Saxby’s Cider Apple Day Family Party, Farndish, Sat 10 Oct

Celebrate apple day in the best possible way: drinking cider! Erm, I mean with a fun family day out (with cider, of course). There’ll be pressing demos with juice to take home, plus a games room, treasure hunt, face painting and a trailer ride around the beautiful orchard. Plus the bar will be open and street food available too.

Harry Potter Afternoon Tea, Whilton Locks Garden Village, 28-30 Oct

Sorry to list this under kids’ activities when we all know the grown-ups are just as into dressing up as Bellatrix Lestrange and scoffing all the chocolate frogs as the Mudlings. Just me…? This fab little afternoon tea has all the Potteresque goodies from Philosopher’s Scones (geddit?) to polyjuice potion, a lovely little treat for the tiddlers.

Hello Autumn, Evenley Wood Garden, Sun 4 Oct

Evenley Wood are heralding the darker days with a celebration of all things autumnal, there’ll be apple pressing (byo apples), learning about beehives from the resident beekeeper, autumn wreath making and wood carving demos with a chance to grab some early Christmas gifts.

COMEDY:

Funny Gals, Deco Theatre, Northampton, FRI 16 Oct

Attention: Live comedy on stage in person! Woop. Vikki Stone and Natasha Barnes explore the history of funny women in the musical theatre and film from Ethel Mermen to Barbara Streisend, they’ll have you in stitches with this celebration of an all too often overlooked genre.

ART EXHIBITIONS:

Autumn Equinox, Rooftop Arts Centre, Corby, 7-31 Oct

Bringing together contemporary and traditional art from emerging and established artists from the region in a broad range of media at this fab arts centre dedicated to nurturing talent and creativity. All the work is for sale, so you can get in a spot of Christmas shopping while you’re being cultural.

VINTAGE AND ANTIQUES

Towcester Racecourse Vintage and Antiques Fair, Sat 17 Oct

Reclaimed furniture, period pieces, collectables and kitcsh, from traditional antiques to modern vintage and everything in between, this indoor and outdoor event promises to be a treasure trove for the bargain hunters out there with plenty of food and drink available to keep your energy levels up.