Summer rain leads to bumper apple crop for cider making

Orchards on the Killerton estate are bursting with apples this autumn and the National Trust rangers and volunteers have been busy harvesting them in time for their annual cider and apple festival on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 October.

The frost in May caused concern that the orchards might be bare this autumn but the summer rain has meant the orchards are full of apples, including some varieties like the Killerton Sweet, Killerton Sharp and Star of Devon which are unique to this small area.

Andy Bramwell from the National Trust explains why there were concerns, ‘A frost in May is bad news for fruit trees. Their flowers literally get nipped in the bud by the cold, which means they aren’t as productive and there might be less apples for the autumn harvest.’

But the local Devon varieties of apple trees in the orchards enjoyed all the summer soakings as Andy explains, ‘The apple trees drank up all the rain that made the summer one to forget, helping them produce a bumper crop of apples that will be one to remember.’

National Trust rangers have been busy with the harvest. With over 50 acres of traditional orchards, gathering the harvest is an important job on the working estate, because the apples are used to make award-winning cider and apple juice.

Fiona Hailstone from the National Trust helps volunteers make the cider every October. Fiona said, ‘The orchards at Killerton are very old, and are home to 98 different varieties of apple trees. The unique flavour of Killerton cider comes from the blend of all the different, local apple varieties. Every year the cider is hand-made by volunteers using a 200 year old cider press. Our medium sparkling cider won Best Overall Drink at this year’s Fine Farm Produce Awards, which is a great achievement.’

As the last apples are collected, the National Trust invites visitors to the Killerton cider and apple festival on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 October. It’s a chance celebrate the harvest, enjoy the cider, and raise awareness of the conservation of the traditional orchards on the estate.

Always a family favourite, this year the festival will feature children’s activities, magic and juggling, family trails and live music. The festival is themed on apple myths and legends so look out for golden apples, wassailing ceremonies and local folklore. Visitors can bring their own apples to press into juice, witness the 200 year old press in action, try archery, browse the stalls in the orchard and taste great food from the Killerton estate.

The festival takes place on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 October, opening at 10am and running until 5pm. Adult entry costs £6, and children £3. National Trust members and under 5’s are free.