EVEN the least intrepid of travellers can enjoy a trip to The Big Apple.

Rather than crossing the Atlantic, people can travel to Much Marcle for a celebration of apples and cider.

The Big Apple this weekend is an opportunity to enjoy the autumn countryside along the Marcle Ridge, an area renowned for its apple growing and cider-making.

Now in its 17th year, the twice-yearly celebration invites visitors to sample the area's traditions and perhaps indulge in a drop of cider along the way.

One of the centrepieces of the festivities will be a harvest-time display known as the Feast of Apples in the Great Barn at Hellens from 2pm to 4.45pm tomorrow (Saturday) and Sunday. Entry is £1 and children go free. A tour of Hellens house runs each day at 3pm, costing £5.

Three cider-making venues will open their doors to the public on both days. Gregg's Pit is a small-scale maker of cider and perry and Lyne Down has demonstrations of traditional cider making. Both venues are open between 10am and 5pm. Westons Cider offers guided tours at 11am and 2.30pm and is open between 10am and 4pm.

Visitors will be able to sample and purchase a variety of apples, ciders, desserts and harvest produce from venues across Much Marcle.

Wye Theatre Company presents the comedy Think you know Herefordshire tomorrow in the music room at Hellens at 7.30pm

The group promises to reveal some bizarre aspects of the life, language and lore of Herefordshire. Tickets are £5 from 01531 660504.

The more adventurous may like to take a bike ride through the countryside or a walk along the Marcle Ridge, perhaps stopping for apple teas at Much Marcle Memorial Hall, 2pm to 5pm each day.

For more details see www. marcherapple.net/bigapple or call Jackie Denman on 01531 670544.