Apple orchards have long been a quintessential part of the English landscape, but urban development, the need for more profitable crops and cheaper foreign imports, have led to the loss of two-thirds of apple orchards in Britain since 1970.

Our own orchard has been a little neglected over the last twenty years. In its heyday it used to produce enough apples to be enjoyed by all the farm's workers and families as well as a surplus that were sold. Lambs grazed the pastures beneath the trees and Gloucester Old Spot pigs had a fine job clearing up the windfalls!

The orchard provides a haven for wildlife including bats, woodpeckers and owls to name a few. When you think about it...if you plant a few trees, you are offering an invitation to hundreds of different forms of life. In fact trees provide a unique habitat both above and below the ground. Also, our apples taste fab and are a prized ingredient in our Granola!

With this in mind we are committed to the orchards restoration. Over the years the trees have become very tall and about half the original orchard have 'toppled' in high winds. Chris and our friend Alastair have been hard at work this year clearing fallen trees. This will allow us to 'top' off the grass (on the newly restored 1950's grey Fergie tractor!) and allow our lambs to graze the grass.