Join us this October at Emmaus Norfolk & Waveney for a celebration of autumn, apples and orchards. Wander our beautiful orchard, explore the grounds of the former All Hallows Convent and tuck into a delicious three course lunch created with heritage recipes from the Community of All Hallows.
The festival will be packed with activities and events to get involved in for all ages. Perfect for families to kick start the October Half Term and for anyone interested in our heritage site, or simply to get you into the autumnal mood.
Celebrate Autumn
Visitors can explore our beautiful heritage site and orchard, learn about the history of All Hallows Convent, and get stuck into a range of autumnal activities.
The event is free to enter and has a packed schedule including the chance to press your own homegrown apples into juice and submit fruit to be identified by the East of England Apples & Orchard project or use guides to identify it yourself.
Visitors can catch a talk from professional beekeeper Stacy Cronly-Dillon on the fascinating world of bees, get stuck into autumnal craft, try Emmaus’ homemade apple juice, and sit back and enjoy live music.
Enjoy our three-course lunch or tuck into traditional convent bakes, made with the Sister’s recipes at The Old Orchard Cafe. Our orchard apples have been turned into delicious juice which you can try and buy. Plus get stuck into autumanal craft, and design your own orchard themed cards.
There’ll be plenty to entertain children and families with traditional activities along with apple crafts, woodland faerie wand making, lolly stand and a fire service truck & Q&A with fire fighters plus a history activity trail.
Get hunting for bargains in our second-hand shop, a treasure trove of preloved furniture, homeware, books, fashion and more.
As the afternoon continues, you can relax to live music in the orchard.
Harvest three course lunch
Enjoy a feast of seasonal, traditional recipes and local produce in the beautiful setting of our orchard. The lunch includes:
- Parsnip & Apple Soup with mini cheese scone
- A Charcuterie Board with a selection of locally sourced cheese, meats and fruits (veggie option available)
- Warming Apple Pudding with Emmaus orchard apples
Our catering manager has worked alongside Sisters from the Community of All Hallows to discover recipes the nuns would eat during meal times in the refectory.
Sit amongst beautiful apple trees and celebrate the new season with friends and family. £15 per person, must be pre-booked and paid for in advance. Guests for the Harvest Lunch will dine outside at 12.30pm.
To book: contact [email protected] with the size of your group, any dietary requirements including and a contact number for payment.
Explore our sites heritage
This event has been made possible by the Heritage Lottery Fund and throughout the event there’ll be opportunities for you to learn about the fascinating history of our site. All Hallows Convent, where Emmaus Norfolk & Waveney are based now, was built in 1876 and over the years the buildings were home to a House of Mercy, orphanage, industrial school, retreat centre and home to the Sisters of All Hallows.
We are incredibly proud of the heritage of the site we call home and as a charity we want to continue the legacy of All Hallows Community. This Autumn we are beginning to restore the refectory of the grade II listed building into a dining room. The refectory will reopen as a dining room servicing the public, visitors to a unique bed and breakfast and live-in residents, known as companions. This project will protect and restore part of a heritage building which is at risk of dilapidation, at the same time enabling the commencement of a new social enterprise. The refectory will support our companions to build new skills in hospitality and create a new income stream for supporting people who have experienced homelessness and trauma, who wish to rebuild their lives.
Find out more about our latest project at the event!
Our Apple Day event runs from 11am – 3pm on Saturday 21st October, entry is free and free car parking is available on site. We hope to see you there!
