From fairies to honey bees: Discover Kelmarsh Hall's summer and autumn events

EventsFestivals
Written By Lynne Dickens

As one of Northamptonshire's finest historic houses and a valued member of the Northamptonshire Heritage Forum, Kelmarsh Hall has unveiled an exciting programme of events for 2026, offering visitors the chance to enjoy history, nature and the great outdoors throughout the seasons.

honey bee on a deep blue dahlia

From magical woodland adventures and family festivals to artisan shopping and autumn walks, there is plenty to tempt visitors back to this beautiful country estate over the coming months.

Fairy picnic returns to the Enchanted Woodland

Families are invited to step into a world of imagination and adventure as the popular Fairy Picnic returns to the Kelmarsh woodland on 29 and 30 July.

Visitors are encouraged to bring a picnic blanket and settle beneath the trees before exploring the enchanted woodland, where fairy trails, storytelling sessions and the magical Wishing Tree await. Young visitors can also enjoy meeting the Bubble Fairy, taking part in bug and beast spotting activities, discovering their fairy name and following a special Fairy Quiz through the Walled Garden.

Families picnicking under the trees in the woodland at Kelmarsh

Additional activities, including pottery workshops, arts and crafts and face painting, will also be available, while refreshments and pre-bookable picnic options can be ordered from Sweet Pea's Tearoom.

Buzzing with excitement: introducing Honey Fest

This year also sees the launch of Honey Fest, a brand-new event celebrating honey, bees and the important role pollinators play in our natural environment.

Taking place on Sunday 13 September, the festival will bring together stalls, displays and activities inspired by the fascinating world of bees, offering visitors the opportunity to learn more about pollinators, discover local honey products and explore Kelmarsh Hall's beautiful gardens and grounds.

Set against the backdrop of one of Northamptonshire's most picturesque historic estates, Honey Fest promises to be a unique family day out that combines heritage, nature and local produce.

Celebrate autumn at Kelmarsh Hall

As the seasons change, Kelmarsh Hall's popular Artisan Fair and Autumn Walk returns on 3 and 4 October, offering visitors the chance to experience the estate at one of the most colourful times of the year.

Families at the Autumn Walk at Kelmarsh in front of the house

The Artisan Fair will showcase a carefully selected range of local makers, artists, designers and food producers, with visitors able to browse handcrafted gifts, homewares and seasonal treats while supporting independent businesses from across the region.

“From fairy trails and storytelling to honey bees and autumn colours, Kelmarsh Hall’s 2026 events programme offers something for visitors of all ages to enjoy.”

Beyond the fair, visitors can enjoy a stroll through woodland paths, around the lake and through the historic gardens as the estate takes on its autumn colours. Kelmarsh Hall's spectacular dahlia collection will also be in full bloom, while younger visitors can follow the Scarecrow Trail through the Walled Garden.

Whether you're searching for a magical family adventure, a celebration of nature or simply an excuse to explore one of Northamptonshire's most beautiful historic houses, Kelmarsh Hall's programme offers something for everyone.

For further information and to book tickets, visit the Kelmarsh Hall website.

Lynne Dickens

Lynne is currently a part-time freelance website designer and marketer. Formerly trading full-time as Spot On Creative is a Northants-based creative team who have the hard-earned skills, expertise and industry knowledge that only come from having worked for years in advertising. It was all managed by Lynne Dickens who has over 20 years’ experience in marketing communications, and ten years in website design and build, and creative team project management.

Lynne is also a qualified art historian and has some expertise in curating fine art exhibitions and producing all of the catalogues, posters and supporting material to create a successful event.

All the guys in the team have worked for one-man bands, SMEs and large blue-chip multinationals in just about every sector, field and industry. Collectively, we can come up with great ideas, superb design and copy, and exceptional photography for anything from websites to email campaigns, branding to brochures – and everything in between.

And the beauty of Spot On Creative is that we’re big in creativity, experience and knowledge, but small in overheads and invoices. So we’re a much more sensible and affordable option for you than a larger advertising agency or marketing company.

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