APPLE OF YOUR EYE
Join a guided cycle tour of the orchards and cider producers around Marcle Ridge in Herefordshire or bring your own fruit to press at the annual Big Apple Harvestime festival (bigapple.org.uk).

Ancient manor house Hellens will be hosting events including an apple identification class, perry pear pressing, tastings of cider and apple-based desserts, and talks on the art of cider-making.

See the traditional oak barrels in which the drink is matured at 19th-century cider-maker Westons, also home to the Scrumpy House restaurant offering dishes such as Cornish cod in a light cider batter. October 8-9: ticket prices vary. l The Royal Oak Inn (01531 660300/ royal-oak-inn.com), Much Marcle, offers doubles from £60 per night (two sharing), B&B.

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GOURMET DORSET
Eat Dorset Food Fair (eatdorsetfoodfair.co.uk) is a family-friendly festival held in the rolling parkland of Elizabethan Parnham House, in Beaminster. Children can learn how to make bread and chocolate and decorate cakes, while chefs including Dorset-based Lesley Waters will demonstrate their skills. Stalls sell produce ranging from wild boar to cider brandy.

If you’re feeling peckish, stop off at the Hive Beach Café, where you can tuck into sushi, Lebanese mezze or chocolate fondue. October 15-16: admission £5 per adult, under-16s free. l BridgeHouse (01308 862200/ bridge-house.co.uk), Beaminster, offers doubles from £146 per night (two sharing), B&B.

CELEBRITY FARE
Food events don’t get much more interactive than the celebrity-laden MasterChef Live (0844 581 1361/ mastercheflive.com) at Olympia in London. Cook your own signature dish in 45 minutes for MasterChef judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace or sign up for the Cook School where you can learn from experts such as Michel Roux Jr’s sidekick Monica Galetti.

Watch some of Britain’s top chefs compete against previous winners and finalists. Oz Clarke and Tim Atkin will be imparting their knowledge at the adjacent Wine Show, included in the price. November 11-13: advance tickets from £20.50 (plus £1.75 booking fee). l Hilton London Olympia (0870 590 9090/hilton.co.uk) offers doubles from £130 per night (two sharing), room only.

FISH FOOD
Picturesque Clovelly, in North Devon, was a major centre for herring fishing in the 18th century.
The Herring Festival (01237 431781/clovelly.co.uk), centred on the working harbour, features net-making, shanty singers, street entertainers and food stalls.
Wander the cobbled streets and visit Kingsley Museum, childhood home of The Water Babies author Charles Kingsley.
November 20: admission £5.95 per adult, £3.75 per child, under-sevens free (family tickets £15.90). l Red Lion Hotel (01237 431237/ clovelly.co.uk) offers doubles from £131 per night (two sharing), B&B.