Our home orchard is Bristol’s own Far Orchard, just over the famous Clifton Suspension Bridge. When we discovered Far Orchard it had been abandoned by the big producers and almost all its epic apples were going to waste. This beautiful 20-acre, 1000 tree orchard, the closest cider orchard to the biggest cider-drinking town in the world, had been forgotten.

 

Not only do traditional cider orchards produce world class apples, they are also some of the best wildlife habitat left in the UK. Far Orchard is home to trillions of invertebrates, rare species of birds & bats, rabbits, hares, toads, squirrels, deer and many other wild animals, plus all sorts of fungi, lichen and plant life. More and more of these traditional cider orchards disappear each year and with them vital natural habitat and wildlife. The situation with orchard loss in the UK is now at crisis point.

 

To address this problem, with our friends we have founded the 100 ORCHARDS project. Our aim is to save 100 of the most important traditional orchards in the UK and create 100 new ones. Having secured the future of Bristol’s own cider orchard, we have now started work on another major orchard in Somerset. And thanks to our thirsty customers Branch are now supporting 5 more traditional orchards across the West Country.

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Orchards are magical, mystical, healing places and an important part of the history and culture of Britain. The 100 ORCHARDS project works with each orchard owner to identify new ways to help secure the long term future of their orchard. In return we advocate for a 'nature first' approach to orchard management, improved public access & greater community benefit. If you would like to be a part of the 100 ORCHARDS project - through volunteering, contributing expertise or funding, or if you or someone you know would benefit from time in our nation's magical orchards, please get in touch.