Orchards, Trees & Orchard Produce

Some Cumberland & Westmorland Fruit

Dessert Apples
Forty Shilling from Thirsby near Carlisle, around 1800. Margil planted around Crosthwaite in 1800s but probably from France, brought to southeast in 17th century. Rank Thorn is thought to be an old variety, may be from the farm of the same name at Cartmell Fell.

Cooking Apples
Carlisle Codlin first recorded in 1830 presumably from Carlisle. Greenup Pippin / Green Rolland (may also be Yorkshire Beauty / Cumberland Favourite and Red Hawthornden) discovered in the garden of a shoemaker called Greenup in Keswick in the 18th century. Widely grown in the Borders 100 years ago and in Yorkshire. Keswick Codlin is a distinctly angular and rather ugly apple found growing behind a wall at Gleaston Castle near Ulverston, Lancs, sometime before 1793. Later introduced commercially by John Sander, nurseryman of Keswick. Widely grown in Yorkshire where it was the farmer’s favourite. It is early, and can be used for tarts as early as July. Nelson’s Favourite from Kendal, first recorded 1958, though probably much older.

Dual Purpose Apples
Autumn Harvest recorded in 1950 as coming from Westmorland, but may be the same variety as recorded in Cumberland in 1934. Longstart first recorded 1851 in Westmorland.

Other Apples
Bradley’s Beauty found growing on mosses of Witherslack around 1990. Falbarrow Favourite rediscovered in an orchard in Crosthwaite, perhaps named after Falbarrow Park at Bowness-on-Windermere. Harvest Lemon rediscovered in a farm orchard near Carlisle, dates from 1934. Lemon Square from Eden Valley (whch travels through Cumberland & Westmorland). Taylor’s Favourite from Lyth Valley, a tree dating from 1879 still fruits. Wheaton Loaves grown in Lyth Valley.

Damsons
See the Westmorland Damson Association web-site.

This list was compiled using many sources including the Cumbria Feels and Dales Leader+ leaflet and The New Book of Apples by Joan Morgan and Alison Richards (Ebury Press 2002).

Please get in touch with any additions or corrections