THE sights, sounds and tastes of autumn were everywhere in Hogacre Common as visitors enjoyed a harvest festival.

Activities at the South Oxford eco park included apple pressing, cider sampling, games and storytelling.

Elissa Hansen and her sons Tor, four, and Col, two, made the most of the good weather at the event on Sunday.

Dr Hansen said: “We had a great time. We got to watch apple juice pressing, try some soup made from the produce there and learn more about conservation efforts. The kids really enjoyed it. Tor is a pupil at St Ebbe’s Primary School, which invited all the children along.

“They were able to get superhero face painting. Tor was Batman.

“It was a very beautiful autumnal day.”

Dr Hansen and her family moved to Oxford from the United States two years ago and she noticed some differences with harvest festivals here. She said: “There is a lot more cider. It is a real plus for me to have a kids’ festival and also beer and cider.”