Orchards, Trees & Orchard Produce

Some Somerset Fruit

Dessert Apples
Beauty of Bath, a good early eater with pale greenish-red mottled skin, pleasantly sharp, sweet and juicy, hails from Bailbrook, near Bath. Introduced by Mr Cooling of Bath in 1864. Cheddar Cross raised at Long Ashton Research Station, Bristol by GT Spinks in 1916. Court of Wick arose at Court of Wick, Claverham near Yatton, introduced 1790, although thought to be older. Said to be a hardy variety, widely grown in 19th century, particulalry in West Country, also used for cider. Exeter Cross developed at Long Ashton Research Station, Bristol in 1924 by GT Spinks. Golden Knob from Enmore Castle, and known since 1700s, grown in Kent and London market gardens in 19th century. Hereford Cross raised at Long Ashton Research Station, Bristol in 1913 by GT Spinks. Melmouth raised by Florence Melmoth around the 1890s in Yeovil. Merchant Apple / Merchant Apple of Ilminster thought to be from Ilminster, described 1872 by Mr Scott, nurseryman. Newport Cross raised at Long Ashton Research Station, Bristol in 1920 by GT Spinks. Plymouth Cross raised at Long Ashton Research Station, Bristol in 1916 by GT Spinks. Shoreditch White from Somerset, known by Hogg 1884. Taunton Cross raised at Long Ashton Research Station, Bristol in 1919 by GT Spinks.

Cooking Apples
Bridgwater Pippin. Loddington / Stone’s / Killick’s Apple thought to have been from a nursery in Bath, bought for the garden of Mr Stone in Loddington, Kent in about 1820 by his niece.

Dual Purpose Apples
Crimson King, dessert and cider apple. Hoary Morning (left) thought to be from Somerset, first recorded in 1819, dessert & cooker. Tom Putt, stories differ: thought to have been raised by Tom Putt, rector of Trent near Sherborne in the late 1700s, or perhaps by his uncle on the family estate in Gittisham, Devon. Also thought to be same as Tom Potter and Devonshire Nine Square of Gittisham near Honiton in 1700s. Grown for cider in West Country and West Midlands until early 20th century, cider & cooking apple.

Cider Apples
Ashton Bitter raised at Long Ashton Research Station, Bristol by GT Spinks 1947. Ashton Brown Jersey from Somerset, tested at LARS early 1900s. Backwell Red grown around Backwell in early 1900s. Black Dabinett from Kingsbury Episcopi. Black Vallis / Redskins from North Somerset. Burrow Hill Early from Burrow Hill, Kingsbury Epsicopi, 1980s, thought to be older variety, but name unknown. Chisel Jersey from Martock, in the 19th century, was popular locally for cider up until 1960s and 70s. Coat Jersey from Coat, Martock, recorded 1950s. Crimson King / John Toucher’s, Bewley Down Pippin / Jackson’s, propogated by John Toucher of Bewley Down, Chardstock in the late 19th century, once popular in farms in south west Somerset and neighbouring parts of Devon, also used for cooking. Dabinett from a hedge in Middle Lambrook by William Dabinett in the early 1900s. Still a popular cider apple. Dove from Glastonbury, recorded 1899 but probably older. Dufflin from Taunton. Sweet cider, grown in West Country. Fair Maid of Taunton / Moonshines probably from Taunton, now found around Glastonbury. Fill Barrell from Woolston near Sutton Montis, late 19th century. Harry Master’s Jersey, thought to have been raised by Harry Masters in Yarlington in the late 19th century. Kingston Black probably from Kingston near Taunton in second half of 19th century. Pennard Bitter named for West Pennard, propagated by Mr Heal of Glastonbury in late 19th century. Porter’s Perfection from orchard of Charles Porter, East Lambrook in 19th century, now found around Martock. Royal Somerset, described in 2001, but not same variety as that described 1884 by Hogg. Stable Jersey probably from Shepton Mallet, thought to be an old variety. Stembridge Cluster from Sam Duck of Stembridge, Kingsbury Episcopi. Stembridge Jersey probably from Stembridge, Kingsbury Episcopi. Stoke Red thought to be from Wedmore, also found at Rodney Stoke in 1920s. Taylor’s Sweet / Taylor’s probably from South Petherton, sold by Porter’s Nursery there in 19th century, thought to be older. White Jersey thought to be from near Cadbury Castle in the 19th century. Yarlington Mill from Yarlington near Cadbury, found growing in a wall by a water wheel in early 1900s, and replanted in Yarlington Mill.

Other Apples
Bailbrook Seedling, Bartletts Glory, Bath Russet, Beauty of Wells, Broadleaf Jersey, Brockhead, Cap of Liberty, Coopers Favourite, Dorset, Dunnings Russet, Even Pearmain, Gatcombe, Glory of the West, Golden Farmer, Golden Wonder, Green Pearmain, Hagloe Pippin, Lambrook Pippin, Lambrook Seedling, Mealy Late Blossom, Nine Square, Pyleigh, Radcliffe Nonpariel, Red Worthy, Rich’s Favourite, St Ivel Pippin, Taunton Golden Pippin, Taunton Nonpariel, White Close Pippin, Worcester Cross, Yeovil Sour.

Pears
Beurré d’Avalon, Bristol Cross

Plums
Frome Cross, Severn Cross, Teme Cross, Thames Cross.

This list was compiled using many sources including The New Book of Apples by Joan Morgan and Alison Richards (Ebury Press 2002).

For more information on Somerset cider apples read Liz Copas’ book 'A Somerset Pomona'.

Please get in touch with any additions or corrections