Orchards, Trees & Orchard ProduceSurrey information
Orchards, Trees & Orchard Produce
Surrey information
Orchards and Community Orchards to visit
Lambert’s Orchard, Horton Country Park Local Nature Reserve, Horton Lane, Epsom. An old standard apple and pear orchard on 2ha in Horton Country Park, once within the grounds of Long Grove Hospital. The orchard is thought to be 100 years old, planted when the hospital was laid out in 1907. Another smaller orchard has since come into the bounds of the park and its varieties are due to be identified. The existing trees are Laxton’s Superb, Dumelow’s Seedling, Bellisime D’Hiver (pear), Brownlees, Russet and the Surrey variety Duchesses’ Favourite. Some new apple trees have been planted, using varieties from the Southeast of England and Surrey varieties Joybells, Claygate Pearmain, Cockle Pippin, Duchesses’ Favourite and Scarlet Nonpareil. The fruit is picked by passers-by but much is left to fall for wildlife. Some is collected for an Autumn Fair every few years. Apple Day has been held since around 2005. The grass is cut annually and the orchard is to be incorporated into the Park’s annual hay cut. Two ponds within the orchard attract wild life. There is a good variety of bird and plant life and a population of Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers. The orchard is managed by countryside staff from Epsom and Ewell Borough Council and the Friends of Horton Country Park who hope to make the orchard one of their long term projects. There is full public access to walkers and horseriders, and a car park open from dusk to dawn. Contact: Stewart Cocker, Countryside Manager, Town Hall, The Parade, Epsom KT18 5BY, +44(0)1372 732473, scocker[at]epsom-ewell.gov.uk
Lingfield Community Orchard, Centenary Fields Local Nature reserve, Vicarage Road, Lingfield RH7. A 1.5ha standard orchard planted in 1996 within a green open space called the Centenary Fields by the Lingfield Wildlife Area Management Committee. The Centenary Fields also has allotments, a wildflower meadow, butterfly garden an open field. The local Lingfield Forge apple was grafted and budded from the last remaining tree. Crawley Beauty was also chosen for its local provenance. Also planted: cider, culinary and dessert apples, pears, pears, cherries, plums, damsons, gages, medlars, quince, black and white mulberry, sweet chestnuts, walnuts, and hazels. A woodpile is left undisturbed for wild life, grass paths are cut regularly but some areas are left uncut as over-wintering habitats and other areas have the clippings removed to encourage wildflowers which in turn is encouraging lepidoptera. Hedges have been planted and existing one gapped up to improve wild life corridors and encourage birds. There is full open access and the fruit is picked by the public, and some left for wild life. There are regular work parties in the orchard, plus batwatching events, school events and Apple Day is planned for 2008. Contact: Mrs Anne Richards, The Copse, Apsley Grange, East Grinstead RH19 3NT, +44(0)1342 870200, grantrichs[at]onetel.com
Long Grove Orchard, Horton Country Park Local Nature Reserve, Horton Lane, Epsom. A small old standard apple orchard on 0.3ha in Horton Country Park, once within the grounds of Long Grove Hospital. The orchard is thought to be 100 years old, planted when the hospital was laid out in 1907. It has only recently (around 2005) come within the bounds of the park following development of the old hospital for private housing. Another larger orchard, Lamberts Orchard, has been part of the Park since it was established. The orchard is managed by countryside staff from Epsom and Ewell Borough Council and the Friends of Horton Country Park who hope to make the orchard one of their long term projects. There is little management at present and fruit is mostly left for wild life. There is full public access to walkers and horse-riders, and a car park open from dusk to dawn. Contact: Stewart Cocker, Countryside Manager, Town Hall, The Parade, Epsom KT18 5BY, +44(0)1372 732473, scocker[at]epsom-ewell.gov.uk
The Royal Horticultural Society garden at Wisley has its fruit fields, and the new addition of a mound, with a spiral path leading up, lined with trained apple trees. See the RHS web-site.
Where to buy apples and orchard produce
Gospel Green Cider, Haselmere, produce champagne style cider in an old cider house. +44(0)1428 654120.
Coldharbour Cider, Coldharbour, Dorking, +44(0)1306 712140
The Royal Horticultural Society garden at Wisley, Woking, GU23 6QB. Tel: +44(0)1483 224234 or see the RHS web-site.
