This special springtime opportunity to enjoy the local orchards, famed for their cider, dessert and culinary fruit, is taking place around Putley and Aylton on Sunday 3rd and Monday 4th May. This year sees a new venue join forces with Putley Parish Hall and Dragon Orchard. Two generations of the Skittery family, known across Herefordshire for their single variety apple juice and cider, will be welcoming visitors to their home farm, Birchley. They’re not new to Big Apple events – the previous generation were founder members in 1989.
Blossomtime 2026 sees community organisers the Big Apple Association bringing together three venues around Putley and Aylton, linked by a tractor and trailer service and each offering a collection of different experiences.
Putley Parish Hall will be the welcome hub, where visitors can park, buy their entrance ticket (£5 for adults, children under 16 free, valid for one day at all three venues), and start guided walks around the orchards. It is also the centre for Blossomtime lunches and teas, provided in turn by Aylton Church, Munsley WI, Ledbury Young Farmers and Putley WI.
At Birchley, the Skittery family will showcase their orchards and their machinery, offering walks and tastings of apple juice and cider and a family trail through the orchards. A programme of talks includes Geoff Newman, talking about traditional orchards, Bill Laws, sharing the history of the Herefordshire Pomona, Brian Robbins giving insights into his book ‘The Healing Orchard’ and Tim Keyes, talking about John Masefield’s Herefordshire Paradise as this former Poet Laureate is celebrated locally with the support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
At Dragon Orchard, tastings drawn from over 120 entries received to date for the 2026 Big Apple Cider and Perry Trials will be on offer. Artistraw, Gregg’s Pit, Palmer’s Upland, Redvers, Ross-on-Wye and Woodredding will be selling their cider and perry to take home – or to enjoy in the orchard along with musical entertainment.
Visitors are encouraged to walk between venues where they can – but for those who may need some assistance, a tractor and passenger trailer will be available. Full programme details are available at https://www.bigapple.org.uk/blossomtime/
