Apple Picking is Underway!

Apple picking

Apple Picking is well underway in the Ampleforth Abbey Orchard.

Apples have been grown at Ampleforth Abbey for more than 200 years. However, what was once a mean of providing fruit for the monastic community, is now one of the largest commercial orchards in the North! 

Tim, our Orchard Manager, has kindly provided a seasonal update from the Orchard:

"We are now well into our apple harvest. We started the 31st July with the Beauty of Bath -  picked, pressed and bottled for our Tearoom and Shop within 24 hours!

Several tons later we have a short lull after the early ripening varieties (the best of which we use for single variety apple juice) before the sweeter more complex flavoured fruits of October which are ideal for cider making."

Visitors are welcome to visit the Abbey Orchard, tours of which are run regularly without summer and autumn. Private tours can also be arranged by emailing us.  

Many of our best varieties can be enjoyed as a single variety juice, available from our Abbey Shop or directly from the Cider Mill.