The National Trust is celebrating an exceptionally bountiful apple harvest this autumn, with its historic orchards in Kent and Sussex yielding a staggering 12 tonnes of fruit. This remarkable haul marks one of the most successful harvests in recent years for the conservation charity.
A Testament to Traditional Methods
Teams of dedicated volunteers and staff have been busy gathering the fruit from orchards at properties including Sissinghurst Castle and Smallhythe Place in Kent. The harvest predominantly consists of traditional cider apple varieties such as Brown Snout and Yarlington Mill, alongside dessert apples including Cox's Orange Pippin.
This year's success is attributed to a warm, wet spring that provided ideal conditions for pollination, followed by a sunny summer that allowed the fruit to develop fully. The Trust's commitment to maintaining these heritage orchards using traditional methods has clearly paid dividends.
From Orchard to Bottle
The vast majority of the apples will be transformed into cider and apple juice by local producers:
- Apples from Sissinghurst will be pressed into juice by the Kentish Cobnut company
- Fruit from Smallhythe will be made into cider by the Kent Cider Company
- The finished products will be sold in National Trust shops and cafes
"The orchards are not just beautiful places, they are also vital for wildlife and tell the story of how fruit was grown and used in the past," explained a National Trust spokesperson.
Pumpkin Harvest Also Flourishing
In addition to the apple bounty, National Trust pumpkin patches are also experiencing an excellent season. Properties like Cliveden in Buckinghamshire report perfect growing conditions, with thousands of pumpkins and squashes ready for Halloween celebrations and autumn displays.
The Trust manages approximately 25,000 hectares of farmland across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, including 180 orchards that form a crucial part of Britain's horticultural heritage and support important biodiversity.
