Visiting other traditional orchards

Every week or so I plan to visit another local old orchard to get a feel for the diversity of fruit varieties, the biodiversity, and the distribution, age and condition of traditional orchards in this area. Each new orchard I visit will be featured in a post on the blog.


Today I briefly checked out a magnificent family orchard just over the border in Warwickshire, close to Shipston-on-Stour. With more than 200 trees over 4 acres there was much to take in (a Roman apple variety, little owls, giant perry pears..) - indeed so much that I have arranged to go back and have a longer look. For the time being these photos are just a little taster ...

HABITAT.







Isn't that fantastic? This perry pear tree would make many an oak cower in shame. It reminds me of one of the trees at Awnells Farm in Herefordshire.