Burrow Hill
this page may take half a minute to open as there are a
number of pictures
Probably the most famous English cider maker is Julian Temperley who
makes cider and his famous Somerset Royal Cider Apple Brandy which I
have mentioned elsewhere.
Check out their web site at http://www.ciderbrandy.co.uk
In my view he deserves a knighthood, if he would acept one. We have visited his orchard a couple of
times, it is sited in Martock (about 15 miles north east of Yeovil) which is one of the classic Somerset
cider areas. It is a nice area to visit, basket work and pottery can be found at nearby Muchelney, where there is an abbey to visit and it's not far to Langport, the 'capital' of the Somerset levels. We had a very pleasant 4 or 5 days in this area in September 2006, taking in Glastonbury (including the abbey orchard) Cheddar Gorge, the Somerset levels wetland and willow vistor centre, Wells including the cathedral and farmer's market and several cider makers. If you visit Burrow Hill cider farm, do climb to the top of the hill for a lovely
view of the flat lands around, take binoculars if you have any and see how many orchards you can spot.
Here is the famous tree on top of Burrow Hill just opposite the farm, the image of which is seen on some of Mr Temperley's craft cider bottles. There are splendid views from the top.
here is a picture of Julia looking north east from the top of Burrow Hill
and here is a view of the flat lands to the south east from the top of the hill looking over
Burrow Hill cider farm. You can see several standard cider apple orchards of different ages, and poplar trees planted in straight lines as shelter belts to protect the orchards from strong winds.
and here are a few images of the cider farm itself, starting with this splendid sign on a huge old cider barrel.
and some barrels and stuff
and a pile of fruit ready to be washed into the system. Water from a huge hose washes the fruit, which is brought by the trailer load, into an underground flume and it is then spun round in a whirpool before being lifted on a conveyor belt up into the cider house where it is crushed and pressed, the compresed pomace tipping over into a waiting trailer from whence it is taken off to be spread round the fields and orchards(I assume) or fed to horses or pigs. I don't know which, must ask next time.
here is another picture of a standard tree laden with fruit at the edge of the orchard, nearby is an antique cider press.
we have a few other pictures from a former trip to Burrow Hill when they were pressing cider which I have mislaid, may put them up later. Do visit their 'cave' and buy some goodies, best
value is a gallon of medium, sweet or dry cider. Don't taste loads of
cider brandy unless you aim to buy a bottle!
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