Downham Apple Day 2026 – A Perfect Autumn Day Out in the Ribble Valley
If you’re looking for things to do in the Ribble Valley this autumn, Downham Apple Day 2026 is well worth adding to your calendar.
Taking place in the beautiful Lancashire village of Downham on Sunday 4th October 2026, this traditional community event celebrates the humble apple with apple pressing, local food and drink, live folk music and plenty of good old-fashioned village atmosphere.
Whether you have a garden full of apples waiting to be put to good use or simply fancy a few relaxing hours out in the Ribble Valley, Downham Apple Day offers a lovely way to spend an autumn Sunday.
Downham Apple Day 2026: Date, Time and Location
Date: Sunday 4th October 2026
Time: 12:30pm–4:30pm
Location: Downham Village Hall, Downham, Clitheroe
Admission: £5 for adults, with children under 5 free
The event runs for four hours, making it ideal if you’re searching for an afternoon out near Clitheroe without committing to a full-day trip.
What Happens at Downham Apple Day?
The star of the show is, unsurprisingly, the apple.
Visitors can bring along their own crop of apples to be pressed, with volunteers on hand to help with the chopping and crushing. Apple crushers are provided, so you can see first-hand how fresh apples are transformed into juice.
Don’t have any apples of your own? That doesn’t matter. You can simply come along, watch the pressing and enjoy the atmosphere.
It makes for an interesting experience for adults and children alike, particularly for youngsters who may never have seen how apple juice is traditionally made.
Cider, Apple Juice and a Taste of Autumn
It wouldn’t be Apple Day without something to drink.
There will be cider and apple juice bars, along with Calvados for adults wanting to embrace the apple theme a little further.
There will also be food available during the afternoon, so you can make a leisurely visit of it rather than simply popping in and out.
Add some traditional folk music and a raffle into the mix and you’ve got all the ingredients for a relaxed village event.
A Family-Friendly Autumn Day Out
For families searching for things to do with children in the Ribble Valley, Downham Apple Day is an appealing option.
Children under five receive free admission, while the apple crushing itself provides something a little different from the usual family attractions.
It’s also an opportunity to introduce children to where their food and drink come from. Watching whole apples being chopped, crushed and pressed into juice is a wonderfully simple reminder that not everything starts life in a carton on a supermarket shelf.
Make Time to Explore Downham
One of the best reasons to visit Apple Day is the location itself.
Downham is one of the Ribble Valley’s most attractive villages, sitting in beautiful countryside beneath Pendle Hill. If you’ve never visited before, Apple Day provides the perfect excuse.
Rather than arriving just for the event, give yourself some extra time to wander around the village and enjoy the surroundings.
Downham has retained much of its historic rural character and enjoys a particularly picturesque setting, with views across the surrounding countryside towards Pendle Hill.
For anyone looking for a few hours out in Lancashire, combining a wander around Downham with Apple Day makes for a particularly enjoyable autumn afternoon.
Visiting Downham Apple Day from Clitheroe and the Ribble Valley
Downham is close to Clitheroe and makes an easy destination for visitors exploring the wider Ribble Valley.
It’s also a good event to consider if you’re searching for October events in Lancashire, particularly if you prefer smaller community occasions to large commercial festivals.
The village organisers ask visitors to use the village car parks, so it’s worth allowing a little extra time when you arrive rather than expecting to park immediately outside the Village Hall.
Why Visit Downham Apple Day 2026?
There is something wonderfully uncomplicated about Apple Day.
You don’t need to arrive with an itinerary or rush from one attraction to another. Bring some apples if you have them, watch the pressing, enjoy some food or apple juice, listen to the folk music and spend some time exploring one of Lancashire’s loveliest villages.
It’s the sort of event that works equally well for families, couples, grandparents with grandchildren or anyone simply looking for somewhere different to visit for a few hours.
And at £5 for adults, with under-fives admitted free, it offers an affordable autumn outing too.
Downham Apple Day 2026 – Essential Information
When is Downham Apple Day 2026?
Downham Apple Day takes place on Sunday 4th October 2026, from 12:30pm until 4:30pm.
Where is Downham Apple Day?
The event takes place at Downham Village Hall, Downham, near Clitheroe in Lancashire.
How much does Downham Apple Day cost?
Admission is £5 for adults, while children under five can attend free of charge.
Can I bring my own apples?
Yes. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own crop of apples for pressing. Alternatively, you can simply watch the apple pressing taking place.
What food and drink will be available?
The event is advertised as having a food stall, cider and apple juice bars, as well as Calvados.
Is there entertainment?
Yes. Traditional folk music is planned during the afternoon and there will also be a raffle.
Where should I park?
Visitors are asked to use the village car parks rather than parking elsewhere around the village.
Plan Your Visit to Downham Apple Day
With fresh apple juice, cider, food, traditional music and the chance to experience apple pressing in a beautiful Lancashire village, Downham Apple Day 2026 looks set to be a lovely way to welcome autumn.
Come specifically for Apple Day or make it part of a wider afternoon exploring Downham and the Ribble Valley.
Either way, if you’re wondering what to do near Clitheroe this October, put Sunday 4th October in the diary.
Downham Apple Day 2026
Sunday 4th October 2026
12:30pm–4:30pm
Downham Village Hall, Downham, Clitheroe
£5 adults | Under 5s free
Tickets can be booked online through Eventbrite.
Event information can change, so check the official event listing before travelling.
