Chiswick Apple Day 2026

Chiswick Apple Day 2026; outside Chiswick Library on Saturday 5 September 

Apple pressing … apple bobbing … apple peeling

The sun shone for Apple Day 2026.

We needed the rain, but the downpour didn’t come until two days later, so passers-by were able to have a go a apple pressing and drink the freshly squeezed juice; take part in the Longest Peel competition; and kids were able to take part in the painting and making activities.

Painting with April and Katy

Organiser Karen Liebreich, director of Abundance London, told The Chiswick Calendar they had been worried about not having enough apples this year due to the drought, but there was a last minute glut. In the end there were “hundreds of happy people, and just enough apples”.

Andy Slaughter, MP for Hammersmith & Chiswick, was there. Councillors for Chiswick Homefield ward Cllr Jack Emsley and Cllr Linden Grigg helped out on the apple peeling stall.

The winner of the Longest Peel competition, Lucy, managed to shave an incredible 80 inch peel from her apple. Runner-up was Africa, with a 77″ peel, and in third place was Ruby with a 71.5″ peel.

Fresh juice; Mayor of Hounslow, Cllr Ranjit Gill

Mayor of Hounslow, Cllr Ranjit Gill, formerly councillor for Chiswick Gunnersbury ward, took a turn on the apple press with Chiswick Riverside Cllr Rick Rowe.

“The nature activities were very successful”, Karen told us. Cob and wood habitats, seed sorting & traditional stuff like apple bobbing and longest peel were very popular.

“I am always astonished to see how much people (mostly but not exclusively children) love these simple old-fashioned activities. The volunteers running the stalls always think they’ll be standing there doing nothing and are always exhausted at the end as they’ve been working non-stop sorting out floating apples and measuring peels. It gets very competitive!”

Cob bee houses; Ben Edwards with insect houses

I’m sure they will be delighted to hear that one of the feedback comments was:

“Abundance is wonderful BUT want more Apple Days”,

Apple Day is a celebration of harvest and of Chiswick’s history as a fruit growing area.

Chiswick has a long and distinguished fruity history, seeing the launch of apple and pear varieties of international importance, such as Williams, Conference and Bartlett, that have spread around the world and changed the landscapes and eating habits of millions of people.

Karen and Ranjit with copies of Chiswick Fruit Timeline: A History in Apples and Pears

The first national conferences on fruit varieties were held in Chiswick in the 19th century, and the most successful horticultural show in the world, the Chelsea Flower Show was held here for the first decades of its existence.

Even today Chiswick’s oldest trees date back to the era of nursery and market gardens and orchards and can be found in local private gardens and public spaces.

READ ALSO: Chiswick Fruit Timeline: A History in Apples and Pears

Abundance London has brought out a book about it: Chiswick Fruit Timeline: A History in Apples and Pears, which they were selling on Saturday and is available to buy from select local bookstores and via abundancelondon.com.

Lavender bags by Make and Mend; Longest Peel winners

Other comments on the day from Chiswick locals were:

“FAB”. “Brilliant”. “Amazing work”. “Great community building and beautification”. “A superb and unique organisation which we are lucky to have in London”. And “Massive fans! This is vital work”.

READ ALSO: Chiswick Flower Market celebrates its sixth birthday

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