The apples, trees and land
Have you noticed the buzz building around cider and perry lately? Fancy seeing what the fuss is all about?
To find out we invite you to visit the orchards and the producers. You can put your questions to the producers to learn more about the best kept secret in beverages – craft cider and perry.
Here are some of our recommended picks of producers of cider and perry to visit. Their orchards offer magnificent views, a lovely atmosphere, with a bonus of cider and perry!
Herefordshire is one big orchard! There are over 15,000 acres of apple and pear trees, producing over half of the UK’s cider.
Any visit to Ciderlands should start at the Museum of Cider, set in the former Bulmer’s cider factory in Hereford with champagne cider cellars dating from 1889.
The museum holds a nationally important collection covering the history of cider, and with a fascinating viewpoint onto the social and artistic impact of this traditional drink.
From there you can follow the three ‘Visit Herefordshire’ circular routes, in the North, in the South, and one in the West. Each 40 to 60 mile circuit includes recommendations for places to break for a coffee or bite to eat, as well as a wander.
The ancient market town of Langport lies at the heart of the Somerset Levels. Its central location makes it an ideal base to explore a host of orchards and cider producers by car, on foot or by bike.
A highlight is climbing to the top of nearby Burrow Hill (6 miles from Langport) with views of the myriad of orchards across the Levels; combined with a visit to Burrow Hill Cider and Orchards, home of Somerset Cider Brandy.
Other recommended nearby visits are the tour and shop at Harry’s Cider (3 mls), the Bere Cider Tap (4 mls), the Hecks Cider Shop (10mls), the museum and cafe at Perry’s Cider (12 mls) and Rich’s Cider Restaurant (18 mls).
There are lots of family friendly orchards and cider producers you can visit when on a coastal holiday. From petting animals at Torre Cider near Watchet in Somerset; to staying in the Old Cider Barn at Crackington Cider (or camp nearby) just a mile above the wonderful beach at Crackington Haven in Cornwall. Also visit Newquay Orchard an oasis of peace and calm found in the centre of the busy resort at Newquay in Cornwall.
Head to Wales for family friendly Pont Du Vineyard and Orchard, Caernarfon with panoramic views to the beaches less than 5 miles or Jaspels Cider Shop and Tap in Anglesey with just a gentle stroll down to the beach at Traeth Mawr (“the Great Beach”).
Across on the East coast Whin Hill Cider works and shop is located on the main car park in Wells-next-the-Sea in Norfolk. From October the shop closes and the premises becomes a full production facility.
Head north to Scotland for its first dedicated cider shop with the opening of Aeble Cider Shop on the East Coast; run by Grant Hutchison from cider supplier re:stalk and his wife Jaye. Head thirty miles north to Cairn o’ Mohr Fruit Wines and Cider which is open daily for tours, tasting room and a café.
Bristol is known as the cider capital of the UK with its own annual Bristol Cider Salon, Bristol Cider Shop and a host of recommended cider bars to visit. We recommend you start at the Cider Box Tap and look out for dates for their popular Cider Tour of Bristol.
London is now hot on the heels of Bristol with its own urban cideries and taps, from the ultra-small but highly rated Duck Chicken Cider to the community based The Orchard Project and Brew Dog owned Hawkes Cider with their Bermondsey based taproom. Cider supplier The Real Al also have a cider taproom in Walthamstow.
Manchester is the new kid in the block with a successful monthly Manchester Cider Club. Temperance St Cider is a new cider producer, just a short stroll from Manchester’s main train station where they share a taproom, beer and cider garden with brewery Beer Nouveau and cider trendsetters The Cat in the Glass bottle shop. A tram ride away to Altrincham brings you close to the new taproom at Dunham Press orchards near Dunham Massey National Trust which is visited by 400,000 people a year.
Cider pubs run by cider producers are also growing in numbers, from the Red Lion pub run by Derbyshire’s Kniveton Cider to Leicester’s The Marsh and Press run by Charnwood Cider with friends Anstey Ales.
Armagh Cider, Northern Ireland, offer intriguing ‘From Blossom to Bottle’ tours. Walk through the orchards and share in the highs and lows of growing the Armagh Bramley Apple – awarded PGI status in 2012. Then move into the cidery where the apples are pressed and fermented. Afterwards visit near neighbours Long Meadow Cider, visits and tours by appointment.
Barley Wood Orchard is a great option because of its proximity to Bristol. Visit their Wooden Round Cider Barn and share the facilities of the Barley Wood Walled Garden, with The Ethicurean restaurant and a range of artists and craftspeople.
The Big Bear Cider Mill, near Braintree Essex, offers CAMRA members exclusive tours and group bookings with sole use of the orchard and taproom.
Dorset Nectar offer tent camping in their orchard and regularly run tours. They also run the microbrewery Windward Beers on site.
Kentish Pip host lots of events and tours throughout the year, with a bar, café, shop and garden. You can also camp in their bell tents in the cider barn garden or stay in their self catering cottages.
Little Pomona is near Bromyard, north Herefordshire. Its new cider house, shop and tasting room, nestles next to the hop fields of Brook House Hops and overlooks the farm’s heritage orchard. With its own cider garden, it offers tours on a Saturday afternoon.
The Newt in Somerset offer much more than just cider tours, including an impressive hotel and a range of attractions. Facilities are available to hotel guests or if you take out a membership. If you want something special they offer a rather unique day trip experience running this June-September from London Paddington in partnership with Great Western Railway.
Ross Cider from South Herefordshire is a must visit, with their own pub, the Yew Tree Inn, acres of orchards and cider barn tours. Winner of the BBC Farming Drinks Producer of the year; they sell one of the largest collections of single variety ciders and perries in their shop.
Sandford Orchards at Dart Farm near Topsham, Devon – Sandfords cider innovation house will soon launch alongside the Darts Farm drinks cellar and bar, and the cider house restaurant. You can combine with a 15 mile trip to the Sandford Orchards Cider Works in Crediton.
Sheppy’s Cider, has been near Taunton for a hundred years. They provide one of the widest range of visitor attractions from a bar, restaurant, café, and farm shop. You can book one of their tours or take a self-guided walk around their orchards.
Wobblegate Orchards – Rebel Root Cider near Brighton in Sussex has set a goal to be the first carbon positive cider company in the UK. They offer tours and tastings with a shop, tasting room and stonebaked pizzas.
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