A MONTH IN THE COUNTRY
PLACES TO GO, THINGS TO DO, IDEAS TO TRY
“October is the opal month of the year. It is the month of glory, of ripeness”
2,600
The number of wild boars living in British woodlands
SENSE OF THE SEASON… Dew diamonds
By October, the morning grass is glistening with diamonds as the air cools enough to fall below the dew point, but not so far as to create frost. Wake to a lush world of water vapour condensed to sparkles, covering the ground like a carpet or quivering from leaves. Admire a million glittering droplets refracting the light of the early rays – and, on special occasions, turning into a ‘dew bow’ throwing colour across the green.
EARWORM… A LIFE MORE WILD Fancy a walk through the wilderness? Listen to this immersive podcast featuring guests talking about how they’ve woven nature into their lives. Go eagle-spotting in the Highlands with wildlife cameraman Hamza Yassin or join Charlotte Church on a wander around the Welsh woodlands near her wellness retreat, The Dreaming. canopyandstars.co.uk/a-life-more-wild-podcast
DON’T MISS
From 6-15 October, authors and book-lovers flock to the genteel regency town of Cheltenham for the world’s oldest literature festival, founded in 1949. Fringe and family events focused on fiction and poetry are held throughout the town over ten days. Young readers can also enjoy the Literature for Schools programme, with workshops and storytelling events from authors, illustrators and poets, including Michael Rosen, Rob Biddulph and Varsha Shah, running alongside the main event. cheltenhamfestivals.com/literature
OF THE BEST... hill figures
Find these intriguing carvings in chalk landscapes
UFFINGTON WHITE HORSE, OXFORDSHIRE Neolithic artists etched this 110m-long horse into the hills (nationaltrust.org.uk).
LONG MAN OF WILMINGTON, EAST SUSSEX This human figure (right) dates back to the 1700s (sussexpast.co.uk).
BULFORD KIWI, WILTSHIRE This incongruous bird was created by New Zealand troops waiting to go home after the First World War (ancientmonuments.uk).
CERNE GIANT, DORSET Also known as the Rude Man, this 400-year-old figure was re-chalked in 2019 (nationaltrust.org.uk).
KILBURN WHITE HORSE, NORTH YORKSHIRE The largest and most northerly UK hill figure was designed by a Victorian businessman in 1857 (visitthirsk.uk).
NOW IS THE TIME TO… infuse gin
Start bottling up your botanicals ready for winter tipples. Infusing gin with your own flavourings is as simple as it is rewarding – all you need is gin, sugar and your chosen flavours, plus the patience to let everything come together. Think fruit such as classic sloes, found in hedgerows this month, spices such as star anise or cinnamon, or wild cards such as celery, chilli, rosemary or thyme. The
