Orchards, Trees & Orchard Produce

Norfolk

"Apple trees and orchards have been part of the Norfolk landscape since at least medieval times. Over the centuries many different varieties of apple have been develped to suit the county's climate and varying soil types. Everyone, from the lord of the manor to the humble cottager, found space for apple trees. A valuable natural resource, they provided fruit for eating and cooking, fruit for storing and using over the winter months, fruits for cyder-making and surplus fruit for sale in the markets. Tudor Norwich in the reign of Elizabeth I was described as 'either a city in an orchard or an orchard in a city, so equally were houses and fruit trees planted. Today more than two-thirds of the county's old apple orchards have disappeared and the remaining commercial growers prefer non-native apples. Despite this, nearly forty Norfolk apple varieties still exist, and there are written records of another thirty which have been 'lost'."
From 'Help us to find Norfolk's lost apples', a leaflet by the East of England Apples and Orchards Project

Old trees survive in redundant orchards, on smallholdings and allotments, in private gardens, and in the middle of redevelopments for business and residential use. A really old tree is more likely to be a local variety.

Apple Day Events
Where to Get Help
Orchards and Community Orchards to visit
Where to buy apples and orchard produce
Dishes to look out for
Where to buy fruit trees
Some Norfolk Fruit