HARCOURT Arboretum Autumn Fair had something for everyone this weekend, as visitors made the most of the October sunshine.

Attendees enjoyed birds of prey in full flight, children's activities, an equipment showcase, making a miniature bug habitat and various other sessions for the five hour event on Saturday.

Visitors also enjoyed willow weaving and teaching events on using natural materials to make textiles and discovering more about woodworking tools and timbers, their uses and identification.

The arboretum's grounds - part of the Oxford University-owned Botanic Garden in Nuneham Courtenay - were bathed in autumnal sunshine for periods of the event, though early morning rain threatened to dampen proceedings.

Visitors were also cheered by a variety of food options from local producers, including a pig roast and cider.

Meanwhile, traditional British and Celtic folk music and the Oxford University Morris Men, performing Cotswold morris dances to celebrate the change of the seasons, kept fair-goers entertained.

The family friendly fair welcomed children for free with paying adults, with the event running from 11am to 4pm.

Tegan Bennet, the Arboretum's Education Officer, said: “It was great to see so many visitors enjoying Harcourt Arboretum at its best on Saturday.

"The sun was shining and we had brilliant stallholders from Oxfordshire and beyond, including delicious food and drink. Families could build a miniature bug habitat, have a go at willow weaving or get up close to British birds of prey found at the Arboretum.

She continued: "The Oxfordshire Woodturners Club were showcasing woodworking tools and timbers and the Oxford Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers were spinning wool and beautiful textiles.

"We had dancing from the Oxford University Morris Men and traditional folk music on the Hurdy Gurdy and Hammer Dulcimer – look out for our next fair in the spring.”

Ben Jones, the Arboretum Curator added: “The annual fairs give visitors the chance to discover more about the trees growing in Harcourt Arboretum, how we look after them and the ancient crafts associated with British woodland.

"The Arboretum contains some of the finest conifer collections in the UK, including some of its oldest redwoods, set within 130 acres of historic landscape.

"Our autumn colour is looking stunning, and should be for the next few weeks.”

Staff at the Botanic Gardens - which, having been founded in 1621, is Britain's oldest - say they are committed to educating as many people as possible about the importance of plants.

Last year, Oxford arborists Luke Rowland and Guy Horwood climbed some of the world's tallest trees in the west coast of America, to collect seeds.

The Arboretum and Botanic Garden are holding events called 'Autumn at the Arboretum' and 'Art in the Autumn' next week.

It will also hold monthly insight tours on the first Wednesday of every month. Its next is on Wednesday, November 7, from 1.30pm to 2.30pm.

For more information on the Arboretum, visit obga.ox.ac.uk/visit-arboretum