Description
Come and join us for a day of Cider Making! Be part of a team and learn how to make Traditional Farmhouse Cider. Our idyllic West Dorset orchard was mutually inspired by our backgrounds in horticulture and agriculture, which stirred us to buy a 10 acre field and plant traditional standard orchard of vintage cider apple varieties before we had even bought a house! The trees have slowly but surely come to fruition over the last 20 years and we now produce a traditional farmhouse cider on a small scale with our beautiful old French press. We love what we do and can’t wait to share it with others. As part of a small group, you will take part in collecting and washing the apples; loading them onto the elevator for pulping, filling the cloths of the traditional French press and building the ‘cheese’ before finally cranking down the press and watching the juice flow before pumping it into our oak barrels. We will then take a tour of the orchard, pick some apples and talk about orchard management, apple varieties and how you can make cider at home. Itinerary The day will start at 9.30 am with a welcome hot drink and biscuits We will start pressing the apples at 10 am with previously collected apples and should have enough juice to fill a barrel by lunch time. Enjoy a simple lunch of delicious home made soup, local bread and cheese and homemade cidery apple cake, plus tea, coffee or cold drinks. After lunch we will take a tour of the orchard to pick up some apples, talk about orchard management, apple varieties, pruning and how you can make cider at home until 3.30pm. A final cup of tea and cake, and collect a 3 litre box of last year’s cider to take home at around 4pm. What to wear Wear old clothes or overalls as cider can stain some materials, and boots or wellies that you don’t mind getting wet. We will provide an apron. The morning will be spent under cover in the barn, but bring waterproofs, warm clothes or hats for the afternoon as we will be out in the orchard in all weathers! Directions and parking We will provide directions for how to get to the orchard. Parking will be available on site, and we will meet you on arrival. Accommodation We have an AirBnB available on site, which can be booked on a first come first served basis via AirBnB - search for "The Gardeners Orchard".
What's included in the price?
We will provide aprons, all cider making equipment, lunch, tea, coffee and cake. All participants will receive a small box of last years cider to take home. Home made fudge will be available to purchase on the day. Accommodation is not included but we do have an AirBnB that can be booked separately on a first come first served basis.
Duration
6½ hours
Cancellation policy
Medium - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 4 weeks before the course starts
Maker
Suitable for
- Adults
- Corporate days out & team building
- Suitable for beginners
- Accommodation offered
- UK Holiday
- Parking provided
FAQs
Yes, we have a compost loo on site.
For those wanting to make a weekend of it, we have our own AirBnB on site that can be booked on a first come first served basis via our website at www.thegardenersorchard.co.uk, or AirBNB at www.airbnb.com/h/the-gardeners-orchard
If our AirBnB is already booked, there are a few others nearby that can be found via the Airbnb website or app.
Wear old clothes or overalls as cider can stain some materials, and boots or wellies that you don’t mind getting wet. We will provide an apron. The morning will be spent under cover in the barn, but bring waterproofs, warm clothes or hats for the afternoon as we will be out in the orchard in all weathers!
Parking will be provided on site at the orchard. We will meet you on arrival.
Our orchard is based between Crewkerne, Somerset and Beaminster, Dorset. We will provide you with full directions in an email the week before the course, so you can use whatever navigation method suits you to find us!
Yes, our cider days are fully risk assessed and we are more than happy to provide you with a copy of the risk assessment. We are a working smallholding with machinery and animals on site. We have planned a day that will be fun and safe for all. A full health and safety briefing will be given before the course starts.