Enjoy a picnic by the lake at The Floral Fringe Fair

JPCT 010613 S13230197x Knepp Castle, Floral Fringe Wildlife Fair. Jill Barry, Oliver Keefe,7, John Barry and Charlie Keefe,5 -photo by Steve Cobb ENGPPP00320130206133622

Picnics are the big news for Floral Fringe this year, building on the popularity of picnicking by the lake last year.

There are many new food stalls, all local to Sussex, Surrey and Kent and visitors are asked to just bring a rug and plates, cutlery etc - then buying everything from the fair’s food market.

On offer will be Scotch eggs, gourmet fishfinger sandwiches with nori batter, all sorts of pies, smoked foods, artisan breads, cheeses, quiches, venison burgers and Longhorn Beef burgers. French potato stir-fry, pizzas and pancakes, vegetarian organic bhajis and pakoras as well as the ever popular vintage pop-up tearooms by Splendid Occasions, from Horsham, complete with Kerry Le Bern singing vintage jazz.

On the sweet front there will be marshmallows, meringues, strawberries and cream, Pimms, chocolate and numerous cakes, fruit smoothies, coffee, tea and a beer tent.

Lots of seating will be available in a marquee and also in a street dining area.

Dogs are welcome on leads and there will even be a home-made doggy biscuit stall.

Last year several people came in their vintage and classic cars and dressed in the style of the era of their car. This year organisers aim to create a taste of ‘Goodwood Revival goes to Floral Fringe’.

Several teams of jive dancers will be performing and there will be vintage caravans, classic cars and a mobile cinema in a shepherd’s hut to add to the atmosphere.

The main theme underlying the fair is wildlife and there will be wildlife stalls, plants and many talented makers and producers.

There will be over 100 stalls of specialist nurseries, experts on butterflies, honeybees, bumblebees, birds and bats as well as contemporary crafts, woodland products, a bespoke treehouse and a custom-made cinema in a shepherd’s hut.

Also on offer will be jewellery, wooden items, willow, metal, sewn things, felted animals, weaving and photography.

The fair is open on both days - May 31 and June 1 - from 10.30am - 5pm. Entry £6.50, under 14s free.

Report contributed by Jean Jackman of Floral Fringe Fair. Pictures by Steve Cobb.