Country Life rounds up the best things to see, do and book this weekend: Christmas fairs, costumes from Agatha Christie classics and geese coming in to roost.
Exhibitions
Until December 31 ‘Dressed to Kill’, The Royal Pump Room Museum, Harrogate, North Yorkshire. Costumes designed for adaptations of Agatha Christie’s novels, (01423 556188; www.harrogate.gov.uk)
Christmas fairs
November 29–30 The Chelsea Physic Garden Christmas Fair 2014, 66, Royal Hospital Road, London SW3. More than 80 stalls selling plants, jewellery, cashmere, garden objects, food and more. 10am–4pm, entry £5 (http://chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk)
December 2 The Heythrop Hunt Christmas Fair, Eyford House, Upper Slaughter, Gloucestershire. More than 40 stallholders, plus refreshments served by the Heythrop Hunt Supporters’ Club. 10am–6pm (www.countrysidechristmasfair.co.uk)
Talk
November 27 Parks and Hidden Gardens of Istanbul, Yunus Emre Turkish Cultural Centre, 10, Maple Street, London W1. A talk by David Wheeler, editor of Hortus. 6pm for 6.30pm, register by emailing Gaye Fairbairn at angloturkishsociety@gmail.com (www.cornucopia.net)
Racing
November 27–29 The bet365 Hennessey Festival, Newbury Racecourse, Berkshire. Three days of racing, including the Hennessy Gold Cup and the bet365 Long Distance Hurdle. Tickets from £14.40 (01635 40015; www.racecoursenewbury.co.uk)
Show
November 27–28 Farm Business Innovation, Olympia London, London W14. New ideas, suppliers and resources for farmers, smallholders and landowners. Thursday 10am–6pm, Friday 10am–5pm, entry free (www.thefarmingshow.co.uk)
Day out
November 28 Come in to roost, Blashford Lakes, near Ringwood, Hampshire. Watch up to 20,000 gulls, 500 geese and 200 goosander come in to roost on Ibsley Water. 3.30pm–4.30pm, booking essential, suggested donation £3 per person (01425 472760; www.wildlifetrusts.org)
What to book this weekend
February 7 The Writer in the Garden, University of Oxford Botanic Garden, Oxfordshire. Garden-writing workshop, led by writer and editor Jackie Bennett. 10am–4pm, tickets £60 including sandwich lunch (01865 286690; www.botanic-garden.ox.ac.uk)
