THE National Trust is to celebrate the summer harvest and approaching autumn with a series of walks and wildlife activities.

Gardeners at Hinton Ampner, near Alresford, will invite guests to bring their own baskets to collect flowers and berries from the estate on a two-hour guided tour on October 5.

A relaxed walk through the countryside takes place on October 11 and 22, taking in views of the South Downs and the autumn woodland before a bowl of home-made soup in the tea room.

Wildlife experts will be giving lessons in how to create an animal shelter and encourage wildlife to enjoy local gardens on September 14.

On September 26 Hinton Ampner’s resident beekeeper will give a masterclass in the bees’ favourite plants and how to preserve them through winter.

July’s bumper harvest will be celebrated in October with a harvest festival including an apple press, harvest flowers and hampers to donate to local charities.

Home-grown tomatoes and stone-ground flour will be the focus of a seasonal baking class at Winchester City Mill on September 20.

If you’ve ever wanted to eat a piece of history, you can do so on September 11 and 18 during a tour of Mottisfont’s Millenium Orchard, where apples popular in centuries gone by will be available to try. Old Pearmain apples were fashionable as far back as the 13th century, but guests are assured that all fruit is freshly picked.

Ticket prices vary. For more information visit nationaltrust.org.uk.