The Orchard
Hidden away in the heart of Somerset lies a remarkable traditional cider orchard with a history stretching back over 200 years.
These trees have stood through countless harvests, producing apples that became part of Somerset's cider-making heritage. More recently the orchard supplied fruit for the much-loved Lawrence's Cider, and today we feel incredibly privileged to continue that story.
Home to around 140 trees, it contains an extraordinary collection of traditional cider apple varieties including Dabinett, Kingston Black, Yarlington Mill, Harry Masters Jersey, Coat Jersey, Stembridge Cluster, Michelin, Tremlett's Bitter, Somerset Redstreak, Sheep's Nose and Tom Putt, alongside heritage dessert apples such as Cox's Orange Pippin, Bramley's, Brown's, Lord Lambourne and Spartan.
They remain living reminders of Somerset's rich orchard heritage, and perhaps represent apples that have quietly survived while countless others have disappeared altogether.
Traditional orchards like this have become increasingly rare. As commercial cider production has expanded, many old orchards have been grubbed up and replaced with modern, high-density plantations designed for efficiency and consistency. And with this, something precious is often lost: centuries-old trees, extraordinary genetic diversity and the unique character that only time can create.
These historic orchards are among Britain's richest habitats for wildlife. Ancient trunks provide homes for insects, fungi and birds. Spring blossom feeds pollinators, while the long grasses and hedgerows support countless species throughout the seasons. Every old tree tells a story, not only of cider, but of biodiversity and the delicate ecosystems that have evolved around them for generations.
Preserving orchards like ours means preserving more than apples, it means protecting rare varieties, safeguarding genetic diversity and ensuring future generations can experience the landscapes that made Somerset famous for cider in the first place.
Every autumn we harvest by hand, allowing each variety to ripen naturally before pressing. Rather than chasing uniformity, we celebrate difference. Every apple contributes its own character, every season writes its own story, and every bottle reflects the orchard exactly as nature intended.
We believe we're looking after a small but irreplaceable piece of Somerset's heritage, one harvest at a time.
