Sheppeys cider orchard, Bradford on Tone, Somerset

I think Sheppey's Gold Label is perhaps the finest cider money can buy, it represents the goal we are aiming at. Their other lighter brands are good too. They are just off the A38 about 5 miles west of Taunton, plan your next trip to the west country to pass by. We last went there in September 2006 and here are a few pictures. You can visit the farm shop and also go for a walk in the orchards and they are very lovely, I once remember a guided tour of the cider works but we didn't do that on our last visit. Check out their web site at http://www.sheppyscider.com

Here is Julia admiring some lovely old standard cider apple trees in the autumn sunlight



Julia enjoying a delightful glass of Sheppey's Gold Label in the region of production



Here are some of the delights in theshop, including some of Sheppey's excellent single pome ciders. The Dabinett is my favourite



You can walk through the orchards, as you can see we visited the shop first. There are not that many places where you can walk though an orchard of any kind, let alone a grand old orchard of full sized traditional standard trees like this one. Long live Sheppeys! Remember to spend some money so they will feel inclined to keep this wonderful orchard open to the public-everyone has to make a living. If you asked nicely and bought some things from the shop I'm sure they'd let you picnic in the orchard. Lots of lovely local produce and some nice cards etc in the shop.

Here's some orchard pigs as well, Gloucester old Spots perhaps or some crossbreeds. Vietnamese pot belly pigs are kept at Burrow Hill.








Here is the apple maniac of Hampshire in thoughtful mood. Everyone thinks he looks worried most of the time, even on holiday. Hopefully the pleasant ambience of Sheppey's is taking his mind off some of the horrors that swirl round it.



This is a bush orchard, more modern and productive, and quicker to start bearing, but less long lived and picturesque than the magnificent old standard trees planted 4- feet apart.. We need both kinds.








Again, these pictures like all the others on the site are my copyright but I am delighted for people to download them for any honest not for profit use.


return to other people's orchards menu