Orchard Network

Once described as a forest of fruit trees, Herefordshire is known for its cider and perry. Many farms still have their orchards, the main concentrations are in the area around Much Marcle, between Tenbury Wells and Bromyard, in valleys of the Severn and Avon and the Malvern Hills.

Herefordshire became the leading county for cider apple orcharding with the arrival of Lord Scudamore, who, in the 1600s, championed cider making in Herefordshire and especially his protege the Redstreak, a cider apple he found growing as a wilding and recognised its great potential. It became widely grown in the county and in Gloucestershire and Devon. Another popular cider apple was the Foxwhelp which is still used today.

By the 1800s, the cider industry was in decline in the county and Dr Robert Hogg was commisssioned to carry out an orchard survey. The result was the famous illustrated Herefordshire Pomona published between 1876-85 - which can be seen in the Cider Museum in Hereford. Hogg became known as the 'father of British pomology'.

The Marcher Apple Network have produced a CD-ROM of the Herefordshire Pomona of 1885 which is for sale. They continue to research varieties of the Welsh Marches and surrounding counties.

The Herefordshire Cider Route - a very informative guide - is available from Herefordshire Tourism. You can also order a cider cycling route leaflet. Contact them on 01432 260621 or see their website

There could be as many as 50 small cider producers in the county.