Orchards, Trees & Orchard ProduceHerefordshire information
Orchards, Trees & Orchard Produce
Herefordshire information
The Marcher Apple Network is reviving interest in local apple varieties in the English and Welsh Marches. Contact the Marcher Apple Network for advice on local varieties, and details of forthcoming events and courses. Contact Mrs Sheila Leitch, +44(0)1497 847354, for details or see their web-site.
Herefordshire County Council helps with the restoration of old orchards and subsidises a Fruit Tree Kits for Gardens scheme with Herefordshire varieties. Contact James Bisset, Parks & Countryside Service, Queenswood Country Park, Dinmore Hill, Leominster, Herefordshire NR6 0PY, +44(0)1568 797305.
Marc Richmond, based in Powys offers orchard tree pruning, consultancy, and can arrange workshops/training for groups, with a discount for allotment groups and community orchards. Tel: +44(0)1544 267780, 07817 654022 or marcrich72[at]yahoo.co.uk
Colwall Orchard Project, Herefordshire, Helen Stace, helen. stace [at] naturalengland.org.uk +44(0)1684 540569 www.greener.colwall.info
Orchards and Community Orchards to visit
At The Hellens, an old manor house in Much Marcle, some perry pear trees, which were planted as an avenue in 1702 to celebrate the coronation of Queen Anne, still survive. The house is open in the summer and joins in the Big Apple celebrations in October. A stone mill and two large presses stand in a barn at the house.
Berrington Hall (National Trust), nr Leominster, HR6 0DW, has a collection of fruit varieties which hail from Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire and the West Midlands in the walled garden planted by the Herefordshire Group of the National Council for the Conservation of Plants & Gardens and the National Trust. Contact +44(0)1568 615721
Common Hill (Grid Ref: SO591347). Two old orchards form part of this Herefordshire Nature Trust reserve, a small holding consisting of an orchard and grassland at North Meadow and a derelict Cider House with an old orchard. In the North Meadow orchard there are about 14 old standard cider apple trees. A tall hedge surrounds the North Meadow and orchard and the thin humus-rich soil supports Adder’s Tongue Fern, Common spotted Orchid and Yellow Rattle. There are also yellow ant mounds. In Cider House there are 9 old fruit trees, mainly cider, and 4 new trees planted, propagated from the existing old trees, along the southern fringe. The soil is deeper and richer with course grasses but also Wood Avens and Common spotted Orchid. Chaffinches and thrushes can be seen among the apple trees which also support mosses and lichens. The grassland in both areas is either grazed or cut annually. There is full public access. Contact: Herefordshire Nature Trust, Lower House Farm, Ledbury Road, Tupsley, Hereford HR1 1UT, +44(0)1432 356872.
Davies Meadows (Grid Ref: SO591347). Davies Meadows is a reserve belonging to Plantlife, managed by Herefordshire Nature Trust. A remnant perry pear orchard of three trees was enhanced with fifteen additional perry pear trees planted between 1997-9. The rest of the reserve has three old hay meadows, seasonal ponds and a complex of old hedgerows. The meadows were farmed traditionally by the Davies family without use of chemicals or fertilizers. One field has not been ploughed for over one hundred years, and the other two since the 1950s and so are herb-rich. There is full public access. Contact: Herefordshire Nature Trust, Lower House Farm, Ledbury Road, Tupsley, Hereford HR1 1UT +44(0)1432 356872.
Herefordshire Nature Trust have orchards at some of their reserves. Common Hill Nature Reserve has two old orchards and a thatched cider house. Pool Ellocks was once an orchard and retains a few large old apple trees. The Trust has been planting traditional local varieties there since 1987. Lower House Farm has 25 old trees, including plum, eating and cider apples and one Huffcap perry pear. A new orchard was added to this in 1998 and 2000 of mainly local apple varieties with some pears, including Black Worcester, and plums. Davies Meadows belongs to Plantlife and is managed by the Trust, a small part of it is an old perry pear orchard. The reserves have open public access and are used by the local community for walking and dog-exercising. Contact: Herefordshire Nature Trust, Lower House Farm, Ledbury Road, Tupsley, Hereford HR1 1UT +44(0)1432 356872.
Kingsland Millennium Green Orchard, centre of Kingsland village, nr Leominster. An orchard on an acre of village green, planted in 1999 by the Kingsland Millennium Green Trust. The Trust was set up to purchase a field in the centre of the village as a Millennium Green. The village raised enough by organising fund raising events between 1998 and 2004. A tithe map shows an orchard on the land, and old photographs show old fruit trees, now long gone. Standard, widely spaced apple trees have been planted on a ‘derelict broken grid’ to give the appearance in time of an ancient orchard, and the area extends to a meadow that runs alongside the green open area. Apples include Gennet Moyle, Tom Putt, Scotch Bridget, Peasgood Nonsuch, Golden Noble and the Herefordshire apples Golden Harvey and King of the Pippins. Cobnuts have also been planted in a separate nut orchard. The fruit is collected by volunteers. The Trustees and a management committee are responsible for maintenance of the orchard and the Green. Hedges have been layed, half the grass is cut regularly and half cut annually for hay in late Summer to encourage insect, birds and mammals such as hedgehogs. Many common wildflowers have been recorded including Celandine, Ox-eye or Moon Daisy, Hawkweed, St John’s Wort, Traveller’s Joy, Yarrow, Hedge Mustard, Scarlet Pimpernel, Violet, Burdock, Medic, Clover, Herb Bennet, Herb Robert, White Briony and Stitchwort. Contact: Mrs J Markham, Westmead, Kingsland nr Leominster, Herefordshire HR6 9QJ, +44(0)1568 708281, jackiemarkham[at]aol.com
Lower House Farm, Ledbury Road, Tupsley, Hereford HR1 1UT (Grid Ref: SO535404). The orchard forms 1.7 acres in this Herefordshire Nature Trust reserve and consists of a small section of 25 old trees, plum, eating and cider apples and one Huffcap perry pear. A new orchard was added to this in 1998 and 2000 of mainly local apple varieties with some pears, including Black Worcester, and plums. Fieldfares and redwings are seen in the orchard in autumn and yellowhammers breed along the boundary hedges. There is full public access. Contact: Herefordshire Nature Trust, Lower House Farm, Ledbury Road, Tupsley, Hereford HR1 1UT +44(0)1432 356872.
Orchard Meadow at Sturts North Nature Reserve. A nature reserve owned by Herefordshire Nature Trust made up of seven fields along the edge of the Letton Lake basin, within the floodplain of the River Wye. Orchard Meadow stands on slightly higher ground above the floodplain meadows, where the land slopes upwards towards Ailey Lane. This is a remnant traditional cider orchard. Some of the trees have died and been replaced by planting four local apple varieties: Broxwood Foxwhelp, Dymock Red, Frederick and Medaille d’Or into the gaps. The orchard supports lichens, invertebrates, birds and bats, and the fallen fruit provides a regular source of winter food for Redwings and Fieldfares. The watermeadows are grazed in the dryer months by cattle. Old hedgerows are managed with staggered trimming allowing for maximum fruiting. There is full public access. Contact: Herefordshire Nature Trust, Lower House Farm, Ledbury Road, Tupsley, Hereford HR1 1UT +44(0)1432 356872.
Pool Ellocks (Grid Ref: SO572188). This one acre reserve that once had an orchard, was donated to the Herefordshire Nature Trust in 1983. A few large old apple trees remained when it was given to the Trust, but several conifers had been planted and had grown quite large. In order to restore the orchard, the Trust removed the conifers and in 1987 planted standard cider apples and perry pears of traditional local varieties including Bergere, Black Norman, Early David, Haglow Crab, Osier, Pomme Mettaise and Saint Laurent apples and Bartestree Squash, Brinarl, Brookhill, Gregg’s Pit, Pack Horse, Rock Stainton and Treegar perry pears. A stone barn covered in ivy and wild clematis sits in the centre of the orchard. Nettle and brambles are partially cleared annually, goat willows are periodically coppiced and the Trust aims to create wildflower rich grassland. There is full pubic access.Contact: Herefordshire Nature Trust, Lower House Farm, Ledbury Road, Tupsley, Hereford HR1 1UT +44(0)1432 356872.
Where to buy apples and orchard produce
Ashgrove Farm Cider, Ashgrove Farm,
Marden,
Hereford HR1 3EY, +44(0)1568 797 867. Produce traditional cider from own cider apple orchards which are of standard trees, organic, and managed under Environmental Stewardship. Also produce Orchard Bee, a cider with honey. See their web-site for more information.
Brook Farm Cider, Wigmore. Cider and perry from own, unsprayed orchards, including an orchard of standard apple trees that is probably well over 100 years old. Call +44(0)1568 770562 or see their web-site.
HP Bulmer Ltd, The Cider Mills, Plough Lane, Hereford HR4 0LE. The largest cider maker, producing familiar brands such as Strongbow and Woodpecker as well as traditional ciders. Contact +44(0)1432 352000 or visit their web-site.
Cider Museum and King Offa Distillery, 21 Ryelands Street, Hereford HR4 0LW. Here you can see how cider was made, look at the Herefordshire Pomonas, the coopers workshop and sample the King Offa Cider Brandy, Apple Aperitif and Cider Liqueur made at the museum. Contact +44(0)1432 354207 or visit their web-site.
Dragon Orchard Cropsharers, Dragon Orchard, Putley, Ledbury HR8 2RG, +44(0)1531 670071, info[at]dragonorchard.co.uk is a 22 acre traditional fruit farm run by Norman and Ann , the fruit of which is picked by subscribers to the cropsharing scheme. Subscribers can attend four open weekends a year, enjoy seasonal celebrations, guided walks and a newsletter, as well as apples and orchard produce including juice and cider.
Dunkertons Cider Mill, Pembridge, HR6 9ED. Cider House Restaurant. Old Cider Shop. Excellent, award winning cider and perry which are made without chemical sprays, colourings or flavourings. Visits to the cider mill by appointment. The national launch of CAMRA's Good Cider Guide took place at Dunkerton's in 2005 where Ivor and Susie Dunkerton were presented with CAMRA's prestigious POMONA AWARD for their tireless work in establishing cider and perry as a premium organic product and for their extensive orcharding work, including recent planting of perry pear trees, an investment for hundreds of years to come. Contact +44(0)1544 388653 (restaurant, +44(0)1544 388161) or look at their web-site.
'Flavours of Herefordshire', from Herefordshire Tourism. Contact +44(0)1432 260621 or visit their web-site.
Gregg's Pit Cider & Perry, Much Marcle HR8 2NL, +44(0)1531 660687. Small scale producer of craft perry and cider. They now have a web-site. The image below, photographed by J Marsden in 2000, is from their orchard.
Gwatkin Cider produces traditional farmhouse cider and perry draught and bottled, made in oak vats. Contact Denis Gwatkin, Moorhampton Park Farm, Abbey Dore HR2 0AL, +44(0)1981 550258.
Heart of England Fine Foods. Contact +44(0)1746 785185 or see their web-site.
Henney’s Cider Co., 2 Tan House Court, Much Cowarne, Bromyard HR7 4JE. Produce Frome Valley Medium and Dry Ciders and Apple Blossom Cider from cider apples usually Dabinett, Ashton Bitter, Tremletts Bitter and Yarlington Mill with a small proportion of Bramley. The fruit is sourced from traditional and bush orchards in Herefordshire. The premises are not open to visitors but the cider is available at Little Verzons Fruit Farm, from Orchard Hive and Vine, and the Hop Pocket Craft Centre.
Hop Pocket Craft Centre (signposted from the main road half way along the A4103 from Worcester to Hereford at the base of Frome's Hill). Sell all kinds of ciders, perrys and apple juices, cider brandy, cider liqueur and apple apperitif, as well as wines and beers. www.hoppocketwine.co.uk/
Jus - single blend apple juice from English grown apples, sourced locally where possible are available from local shops and farmers' markets. Contact Janet Mackay, Glebe Farm, Aylton, Ledbury HR8 2RQ +44(0)1531 670121.
Little Verzons Fruit Farm, Hereford Road, Ledbury, +44(0)1531 670816. Apple juice including single variety juices such as Spartan. Also sell Henney's Cider.
Lyne Down Cider & Perry, Lyne Down Farm, Much Marcle, Ledbury HR8 2NT, +44(0)7756 108501. Produce traditional cider and perry from own orchards. Their ‘Roaring Meg’ cider won 1st prize at the Three Counties Show. Also various single variety ciders including Kingston Black, Yarlington Mill and Stoke Red, Perry comes bottled and slightly sparkling in a medium dry and also in still draught form. Also cider vinegar, t-shirts, cider barrel tubs and framed cider pictures. See their website for more details.
Newton Court Cider, Newton Court, Leominster HR6 0PF, +44(0)1568 611721. Newton's Cider is produced from organically grown standard trees at Newton, and their perry is made from perry pears in local orchards and gardens.
Oakchurch Fruit Farm, Staunton on Wye, Hereford HR4 7NE, +44(0)1981 500125. Pears and apples, PYO or for sale in the farm shop.
Oliver's Cider and Perry, The Old Hop Kilns, Moorhouse Farm, Ocle Pychard, +44(0)1432 820569. Cider and perrys produced at the Oliver's restored Perry & Cider House, using apples and pears from their own treesm and from other local growers, all unsprayed trees. The farm is just off Burley Gate roundabout, the intersection of the A417 Leominster to Gloucester road and the A465 Hereford to Bromyard road. Take the Gloucester exit off roundabout towards Newtown crossroads and Oliver's Cider and Perry is the first on the right. Open Saturdays 10am-4pm, or phone ahead other times. Unique single varietals and blends, fermented in wild yeasts and matured in aged oak barrels. Available bottled and draught. Winners of many awards and given "Superhero" status by Rick Stein in his book of Food Heroes. See their website for more information on the farm, the many varieties of cider apples and perry pears grown, the method of production and much more.
Orchard, Hive and Vine, The Buttercross, Leominster, Herefordshire HR6 8BN (+44(0)1568 611232) specialises in local ciders, perry, apple juice, mead, local wines and beers. They have tastings every Friday and Saturday. Look at their web-site for more details.
Rathays Cider, Sutton Saint Nicholas, Hereford HR1 3AY. +44(0) 1432 880936. Produce a clear, dry, traditional cider called Rathays Old Goat Dry Cider, made from varieties including Bulmers Norman, White Norman, Tremletts Bitter, Brown Thorn, Yarlington Mill, Foxwhelp and Vilberie, plus single variety ciders from their own unsprayed orchard of traditional bittersweet cider apples on a 5 acre smallholding. There are some very old perry pear trees, and a lot of mistletoe. Angora goats graze the orchard except in the last half of the summer when they are moved to a meadow to spare the apples. Members of Three Counties Cider and Perry. They have until recently sent their ciders as draught to beer festivals but now also sell it bottled in local shops and outlets such as the Hop Pocket Craft Centre (see above), the Garden Centre at Wellington, and Orchard Hive and Vine in Leominster who also sell online (see above). They are featured in CAMRA's Good Cider Guide.
Ross-on-Wye Cider & Perry Co., Broome Farm, Peterstow, Ross-on-Wye HR9 6QG, +44(0)7841 839991with 45 acres of cider orchard. Perry and unpasteurised cider made mainly from apples grown on the farm – occasionally some different types of apples from other local farms are used out of interest to create a greater range of both single varieties and blends. A range of pasteurised still and sparkling and naturally conditioned bottled ciders are also available from the Farm. Also offers B&B in the farmhouse.
Westons Cider, H. Weston & Sons, The Bounds, Much Marcle, HR8 2NQ. Award winning cider and perry, some organic. Widely available, you can buy direct, go on a cider mill tour and eat at the Scrumpy House Restaurant. Contact +44(0)1531 660233 or visit their web-site.
Paul Jasper Trees, The Lighthouse, Bridge St, Leominster, stock over 100 varieties of apple plus pear, plum, cherries, damsons, all bare root trees. An order form is available from their web-site.
Perry Pear trees and other top fruit are available from the following nurseries. Please ring to make an appointment:
HP Bulmer Ltd, Orcharding Division, Plough Lane, Hereford HR4 0LE. They sell standard and half standard cider, culinary and dessert varieties of apples and pears. Tree orders, availability and price lists can be requested by e-mail from Mrs Gill Turner, gt [at] bulmers.com. Technical tree and orchard information can be requested from Chris Fairs, cjf [at] bulmers.com, +44(0)1432 345285.
Ellis Brothers, Dumbleton Nurseries, Dumbleton, nr Evesham, Worcs WR11 6QW, +44(0)1386 881897.
Thornhayes Nursery, St Andrews Wood, Dulford, Cullompton, Devon EXS 2DF +44(0)1884 266746. Offer mail order.
