| Great Escapes: Hereford & Worcester 3 |
| Sippin’ Cider |
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Herefordshire and the part of Worcestershire around Malvern is a haven for the cider lover. Cider can be traced back to Roman times, although the first written reference to it was in the 13th century during the time of King John – who, incidentally, is buried in Worcester Cathedral.
No fewer than eight cider-makers can be found in the region, and the smallest to the largest producers are included in the ‘Cider Route’, which runs through Hereford to Leominster, Malvern, and Ross-on-Wye. It is worth pointing out that although tours take place throughout the year, the peak time for apple pressing is between September and December.
We’ve visited three labels to give you a taste of just what’s on offer.
1 DUNKERTON'S CIDER MILL
If it isn’t the youngest of all the cider-makers in Herefordshire, it must be fairly close. Dunkerton’s has been producing cider for only 20 years. To reach the mill, turn off the A44 Leominster to Kington road at Pembridge and follow the signs for about a mile.
One of the things that distinguishes Dunkerton’s from other cider makers is that it’s a young company housed in some very old buildings. Ancient buildings they may be, but the finished product can more than hold its own against the competition. This is borne out by the fact that the company has won a gold medal for its perry (pear cider), as well as Best Cider at the first CAMRA Cider Festival.
Dunkerton’s uses organic apples. It planted its own orchard in 1988. Currently, it is growing bush orchards of some of the rarer varieties of cider
apple such as Bloody Turk, Kington Black and Herefordshire Redstreak.
Last year, Dunkerton’s produced the largest
quantity of cider in its history: 38,000 gallons (15,000 gallons more than its previous best two year’s ago). To you and me this may sound like a great deal of cider but it’s still small fry compared with some
of the other producers, notably Bulmer, whose
operation in Hereford is probably larger than all the rest put together. In addition to the cider mill, the company has a very good restaurant where you can line your stomach with a snack or a hot meal.
2 THE CIDER MUSEUM AND KING OFFA DISTILLERY, HEREFORD
The Cider Museum was opened at Ryland Street, Hereford, by Bertram Bulmer in 1981. It’s an
independent charitable trust portraying the history of cider-making worldwide.
Cider has been produced in Herefordshire since the early 1600s, and by Bulmers since the late 19th
century. Today, the company has the largest apple press in the world as well as the largest alcohol
container capable of storing 1.6 million gallons of cider. Compare this with the 60,000 gallons storage at Dunkerton’s and you get a good idea of the
difference in the size between the two companies.
The museum is housed in part of the old Bulmer factory. An interesting exhibit, among many others, is the boardroom with its portraits of several
generations of the family. The cellars below the museum, which are also open to the public, have a storage capacity of more than three million bottles. These are stored in various positions including
neck-down, in pupitres, the same type of storage racks which are used to hold Champagne bottles.
For storage purposes, the bottles of cider have temporary corks inserted and are then put into the racks neck downwards. They are then turned a
quarter turn each day for several weeks, during which time the sediment drops into the neck.
When all the sediment has settled, the bottle is
taken out of the rack and the neck frozen. The cork
is withdrawn and the pressure forces the frozen
section of cider and sediment out of the bottle. Thereafter, the bottle is topped up with cider and
re-corked, ready for sale.
Elsewhere in the museum, there are cider
presses from throughout the ages, as well as
photographic exhibits and displays of ciders from countries such as China, Argentina, Australia, Belgium and South Africa. Nuggets of information dotted around the museum include the fact that Herefordshire produces over 63 million gallons of cider per year; that during the 14th century
children were baptised with cider (which was more pure than water); and about two pounds of apples is used to make every 75cl bottle of cider.
The museum has a large shop but credit cards are not accepted. There is, however, a cashpoint across
the road at the Sainsbury’s superstore.
After leaving the Cider Museum, drive into the centre of Hereford and visit the Cathedral to see the Mappa Mundi and the Chained Library.
3 WESTON'S CIDER
Located at Much Marcle, Weston’s Cider is currently undergoing extensive building work necessary to build a bigger car park. The company has completely revamped its entrance, creating a superb garden and water feature.
The Weston’s Cider premises, which has been
making cider since 1880, is open from Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 4.30pm, with tours of the cider mill taking place on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 2pm. There is a charge of £3 person, and the tour lasts for about one and a quarter hours.
At the entrance to the mill is Weston’s Scrumpy House Restaurant, which serves light lunches and full meals. The menu isn’t particularly extensive,
but the food is tasty and well presented.
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Planning Distance 80 miles
Time 9 hours
Start/finish Blackmore CC Site, Blackmore End, Hanley Swan
Suitable for Adults
Tourist information
Hereford
1 King St, Hereford HR4 9BW
Tel 01432 268430
Ross-on-Wye
Edde Cross St, Ross-on-Wye HR9 7BZ
Tel 01989 562768.
Website Click here
Ledbury
3 The Homend, Ledbury HR8 1BN
Tel 01531 636147
Refreshments
The Cider House Restaurant
Dunkerton’s Cider Mill, Luntley, Pembridge, Leominster HR6 9ED
Tel 01544 388161
The Scrumpy House Restaurant
Weston’s Cider, The Bounds, Much Marcle, Ledbury HR8 2NQ
Tel 01531 660626
Email Click here
Website Click here
Attractions
Hampton Court’s Van Kempen Gardens
Hampton Court, Hope-under-Dinmore HR6 0PN
Tel 01568 797777
Website Click here
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