Orchards are a characteristic and well loved feature of Worcestershire’s landscape. Our county became the heart of England’s apple, pear, plum and cherry growing and cider and perry production during the latter part of the 19th century, along with our neighbours Gloucestershire and Herefordshire.
Orchards are special. They can be rich in wildlife, have bountiful stories to tell about their creation and management and are frequently an inspiration for community events and projects.
Orchards should also be celebrated for their genetic diversity. There are hundreds of varieties of each type of fruit, many carefully selected and bred over decades by dedicated nurserymen and others the results of interested amateurs experimenting in their own gardens.
This website is the beginning of an attempt to document those fruit varieties which originated in or were first produced and marketed in Worcestershire. This is an ongoing project and the website will be updated as regularly as possible with new information. Please enjoy and promote the propagation, grafting and planting of the Worcestershire varieties documented so far.
This obscure and now rare cooking apple is believed to have been introduced in 1854 by a Mr Davies of Pershore.
Read more >There are many local groups of people, mainly volunteers, who work to conserve traditional orchards, are planting new orchards or give support to those doing so. Donations of funding or offers of time will be welcomed by most.
If your group would like to be included on this page please send some details to
contact@worcestershireorchards.co.ukNatural England have published a series of guidance notes on the practicalities of establishing and managing an orchard as well as conserving wildlife.
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