The heart of the orchard: why Apple Day still matters in the West Country

As the scent of ripe fruit hangs in the autumn air and the last of the leaves turn gold, today the West Country celebrates Apple Day – a moment to raise a glass to the orchards, the cider-makers, and the communities that keep this deeply rooted tradition alive.

First introduced by Common Ground in 1990, Apple Day was created to remind us of the importance of orchards to our landscape and culture. Here in the South West, where apples have shaped both our countryside and our character, it remains a day steeped in pride and place.

A living tradition

Across Somerset, Devon, Dorset and Cornwall, the orchard is much more than a place of production – it’s a living, breathing ecosystem. Old apple trees harbour insects and birds, and the seasonal rhythm of blossom, fruit, and fall has long marked the year’s passage in rural life.

Many of the West Country’s best-loved cider apples – from Kingston Black to Cap of Liberty – have been grown here for centuries, carefully nurtured by generations who know the land as well as they know the taste of their own cider.

“The orchard is a microcosm of West Country life – patient, generous, and full of quiet beauty.”

Crafting cider the traditional Way

At the heart of Apple Day is the craft of cider-making. While some producers have scaled up, a handful across the region remain fiercely devoted to traditional, small-scale methods – pressing whole apples, fermenting slowly, and letting nature lead the process.

Burrow Hill Cider Farm (Somerset)

Nestled near the Somerset Levels, Burrow Hill has been making cider for over three centuries. The Temperley family still harvests from 250 acres of historic orchards, producing full-juice farmhouse cider and Somerset Cider Brandy using ancient pressing and distilling methods. Every bottle is a testament to place, patience, and heritage.

Sandford Orchards (Devon)

In Crediton, Sandford Orchards presses only fresh local apples in what’s believed to be Britain’s oldest working cider mill. Their ethos is simple – “real cider from fresh juice” – and their blends celebrate the true character of Devon apples.

Temple Cider (Dorset)

On a small farm near Beaminster, Temple Cider creates full-juice cider from unsprayed, hand-picked apples using a traditional rack-and-cloth press. With every batch made by hand, their process harks back to a slower, purer form of cider-making that honours Dorset’s rural roots.

Ripe Cider (Cornwall)

Cornwall’s Ripe Cider may be a younger name, but its ethos is old as the orchard itself: 100% apples, wild yeasts, and oak-barrel fermentation. Their natural, low-intervention approach captures the essence of Cornwall’s landscape – clean, wild, and deeply local.

“Cider is not just a drink – it’s an expression of land, weather, and the hands that tend the trees.”

Why Apple Day matters

Apple Day reminds us why local traditions endure.

• Biodiversity: Traditional orchards are vital for wildlife, offering nectar, shade and nesting sites.

• Local identity: Each apple variety tells a story of its soil and climate, and each cider maker adds their own chapter.

• Sustainability: Supporting local producers means shorter supply chains, lower carbon footprints, and fairer prices for farmers.

• Community: From harvest festivals to pressing days, the apple brings people together like few other crops can.

  
  

How to celebrate today

• Visit a local orchard or cidery – many are hosting Apple Day events and tastings.

• Try a heritage apple variety from a farmers’ market or community orchard.

• Support small producers who use 100% fresh-pressed juice.

• Make an apple cake, pie, or chutney using local fruit – or simply toast the season with a glass of proper scrumpy.

A toast to the orchard

In a fast-changing world, Apple Day offers a moment to reconnect with the land and those who nurture it. The orchards of the West Country are more than trees; they are stories, livelihoods, and living heritage.

So today, as the presses hum and the glasses clink, raise a toast to the apple – to the roots beneath our feet, and to the timeless rhythm of the orchard.

Here’s to apples, cider, and the enduring spirit of the West Country.