12 Oct 2026
An annual community celebration of the fruit produced by Highfield Park’s historic orchards brought together families, friends and neighbours from across St Albans on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
The free Apple Day event takes place every year on the first Sunday in October, and includes children’s games, apple juicing demonstrations and live music.
Chair of Highfield Park Trust Tim Abbott explained: “Apple Day is a celebration of English apples and events are held throughout the country in October. Many years ago a schedule was drawn up by the producers across Hertfordshire and this informal arrangement continues to this day. Of course, Highfield being what it is, the event now has our own unique feel to it. It is very community focused and we are so happy with its continued evolution.”
Sarah Shah, who organised the event continued: “It was another fantastic Apple Day and the reaction has been amazing. The new venue at the Visitor Centre worked very well again and the setting is beautiful.
“We have already held a debrief and started reviewing improvements for next year. A huge thank you to everyone who came along, helped out, volunteered, exhibited, baked, pressed apples, donated a tombola prize, entertained, and supported the event. The Highfield Team and the wonderful group of volunteers, who we cannot thank enough, had a fabulous time. Great to see so many familiar faces, meet new ones, and enjoy that community atmosphere in the sunshine.”
Tim added: “Although many of our apple trees struggled this year, many others did not and overall we had a very good harvest and produced 1,253 bottles of juice. We sold 670 on the day – a new record! We have a really nice programme of events now and are adding new ones all the time.”
Highfield Park Trust’s aim is to provide a diverse rural park for the benefit of the local community. The Trust is entirely charity funded and all the proceeds from all their events programme help maintain the park.
All pictures by St Albans Times photographer John Andrews.
