Orchards, Trees & Orchard ProduceWarwickshire information
Orchards, Trees & Orchard Produce
Warwickshire information
Where to get help
The Midshires Orchard Group covers Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire and Warwickshire. In 2007 the group formed a partnership with Stowe Landscape gardens, a National Trust property, where they will create a home orchard, help to restore the estates old orchard and fruit trees, run events and run training courses in pruning and grafting including restorative pruning of old fruit trees and traditional orchard management. The founders of the group, Andy Howard and Marcus Roberts already provide local varieties from the Heritage Fruit Tree Company, having grafted from local trees (see below). Contact: Midshires Orchard Group, +44(0)1295 712272, mandm.roberts[at]ukgateway.net or see www.msog.btik.com
South Warwickshire Orchard Group (SWOG), David Botterill, +44(0)1608 682644, davidbotterill [at] btinternet.com
Orchards and Community Orchards to visit
Hill Close Victorian Gardens, Friars Street, Warwick. The Victorian gardens were once the refuge of town centre shopkeepers and professionals who lived over their business and had no garden around their home. They have left a legacy of delightful hedged plots with listed brick summerhouses and a collection of a hundred fruit trees: 50 varieties of apple and a dozen of pear. Access is via the entrance to Warwick racecourse. Call +44(0)1926 493216 for more information, or see their web-site.
Salisbury Close Community Orchard is a relict orchard in a local nature reserve, cared for by Warwickshire Wildlife Trust and Stratford District Council. Six mature trees already stood, and 15 more trees of local varieties were added in 2002, planted by a group of children and their parents. 50-60 more trees are to be planted over the following 3 years, part funded by a Countryside Stewardship grant received in 2002. There is open access. Contact: Woodlands & Greenspace Officer, Stratford District Council on +44(0)1789 260647) or Warwickshire Wildlife Trust on +44(0)2476 308976. Alternatively, see their web-site.
Where to buy apples and orchard produce
Feldon Forest Farm, Frankton, Rugby CV23 9PD, +44(0)1926 632246. A young orchard where around 30 varieties of apples are grown, plus pears, plums, greengages, quince and cherries. They are sold at the local Country Market and other local retailers. When the apple trees mature and crops are larger, apples will be sold direct from the farm.
Snitterfield Fruit Farm, Kings Lane, Snitterfield nr Stratford-upon-Avon, has around 25 varieties of apple for sale. Plus their own apple juice, preserves and smoothies made at the farm. Also attend local farmers’ markets in Stratford upon Avon and Leamington Spa and take part in Apple Day celebrations at Mary Arden’s House in Wilmcote and Sulgrave Manor, Banbury. +44(0)1789 731711.
Pinks Farm Fruit Syrups, Pinks Farm, Mows Hill, Henley-in-Arden B95 5QU, +44(0)1564 783102. Pinks Farm produce six flavours of fruit syrups including elderberry, plum and damson. The damsons are from their own trees, and much of the fruit is sourced from the Vale of Evesham in neighbouring Worcestershire. The syrups can be used as dessert toppings, in drinks, in gravies, sauces and for other dishes.
Heritage Fruit Tree Company, local varieties for Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire and Warwickshire. Contact: Andy Howard on +44(0)1295 810516 or Marcus Roberts on +44(0)1295 712272 or mandm.roberts[at]ukgateway.net for more information.
