Menu

Worcestershire

Jump to: Local Groups | Where to buy trees locally | Where to buy orchard produce | Other links

 

According to the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust …
“… in Worcestershire, there are or have been, concentrations of orchards in the Teme Valley, a stronghold for cherries; in the Severn Vale and Vale of Evesham, for apples; and around the Wyre Forest for plums and cherries. Pears are a particular Worcestershire speciality. Pershore – ‘Pearshore’ – was the heart of the pear country. Few pear orchards survive today, although pear trees remain widespread in hedgerows. Worcester City has had many cultural associations with fruit trees and orchards. The city crest itself incorporates three black pears. Historically the city has been important for this fruit and also the pearmain.”

Worcestershire is perhaps most famous for its plums, Evesham Wonder, Pershore Yellow Egg and Purple Pershore and for its Black Worcester pear and perry pears.

Worcester City Council – has pears on its coat of arms and has given a Worcester Black Pear to each school for the children to plant. They have also made an ecological survey of all the orchards in the city which are in public ownership or which have access. Worcestershire County Council – have surveyed Traditional Orchards in selected parishes in the county

 

Worcestershire orchard groups

To find community orchards local to you, see our community orchard map

  • Three Counties Traditional Orchard Project (TCTOP) – The Three Counties Traditional Orchard Project aims to restore 25 traditional orchards in key orchard areas in Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire and by involving the owners and local people in the restoration, ensure that the skills and knowledge needed stay in the community. A Heritage Lottery Funded Project has meant that work is being carried out on: Gorsley, Kilcot and Longney in Gloucestershire; Whitbourne, Breinton and Ross on Wye in Herefordshire; and Rochford & Tenbury, Evesham, Pershore and Alfrick in Worcestershire.

 

  • Three Counties Cider and Perry Association – The Three Counties Cider and Perry Association is the organisation which represents, supports and promotes the interests of craft scale cider and perry producers, primarily based in the Three Counties region of the UK (Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire). This region has a rich heritage of cider & perry making, and has more orchards than anywhere else in the UK.  We provide a friendly and educational platform for new or existing cider makers to learn more about technical, commercial and legislational aspects of the cider industry.

 

Where to buy trees in Worcestershire

  • Walcot Organic Nurseryis an organic tree nursery selling a wide range of fruit trees on all kinds of rootstocks, plus trained trees. Also lots of varieties of apple, plum, pear and quinces. Lower Walcot Farm, Walcot Lane, Drakes Broughton, Pershore. 01386 553697
  • Tom the Apple Man – Tom Adams grows a range of heritage varieties traditionally grown along the English/Welsh borderland, from Cheshire down to Gloucestershire, plus other varieties that show resistance to scab and canker that grow well in the English/Welsh borders region. Trees are grown without the use of chemicals and natural methods of pest control. The nursery is full of wild flowers and herbs that attract predatory insects and birds such as blue tits that feed on aphids. A grafting service is available.

 

Orchard services and produce in Worcestershire

  •  Clive’s Fruit Farm – has around 28 varieties of apple, 8 of pear plus plums, damsons and cherries. Ready picked or PYO. Apple juice, pear juice, cider and perry are also made, and sold in the Farm Shop along with preserves, local cheeses and vegetables. Provide juice pressing service and online ordering service. Willingsworth Farmhouse, Upton upon Severn. 01684 592664
  • Mill Orchards have around 15 varieties of apples and pears. No farm shop – supply apples and pears to supermarkets. Make 11 varieties of apple juices including blended juices (with raspberry, blackcurrant and pear). Offer  draught and bottled cider, perry, fruit wines, apple juice, jams, pickles and chutneys from our farm in Storridge, near Malvern, Worcs. In season they also offer fresh apples, pears, plums, cherries, damsons and quince.
  • Norbury’s Norrest Farm & Cider Company – Produce Black Bull cider and perry, fruit wines, apple juice, jams, pickles and chutneys. Also offer fresh apples, pears, plums, cherries, damsons and quince in season. Available in Moseley’s farmers markets.
  • Tipsy Fruit Gins Ltdproduce traditionally made fruit gins including with damsons, cherries, raspberries, and blackcurrants.  Tipsage Farm has been replanted with traditional Shropshire Prune Damson trees, in order to be self sufficient in Damsons.
  • Walsgrove Farm – has a seasonal selection of around 60 varieties of apples, plus 17 of plums, available from the Farm Shop; they also offer presentation boxes. Walsgrove Farm, Egdon, Spetchley WR7 4QL. 01905 34537

 

Other links

  • The Story of Evesham’s Orchardsan illustrated booklet, has been updated and reproduced by the Cleeve Prior Heritage Trust and Vale Landscape Heritage Trust. It is an account of the history of the Vale of Evesham’s orchards and includes archive photos of orchards and orchard workers. Available from the Cleeve Prior Heritage Trust, Field Barn, Evesham Road, Cleeve Prior WR11 8JX.

 

Let's keep in touch...

We'd love to tell you about our conservation work through our regular newsletter Wildlife World, and also how you can save endangered species through volunteering, taking action or donating. You must be 18 or over. The information that you provide will be held by People’s Trust for Endangered Species. For information on how PTES processes personal data, please see our privacy policy.

People's Trust for Endangered Species, 3 Cloisters House, 8 Battersea Park Road, London SW8 4BG

Registered Charity Number: 274206 • Site Design: Mike Leach Creative at Waters • Branding: Be Colourful

Copyright PTES 2024