Heart of England

Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands

Wye Valley Brewery Open Day

Location: 
Wye Valley Brewery
19 October 2013 - 10:00am - 4:00pm

Be among the first to check out Wye Valley Brewery’s new , energy-efficient brewhouse at its annual Open Day this Saturday.

Tours and tastings run throughout the day alongside live music and a pig roast. Award-winning “hypnogician” Kiegan Vallely will be performing as will the Leominster Morris Dancers, with face-painting for the young – and young at heart.

The Big Apple 2013

Related destination: 
H Westons & Sons
12 October 2013 - 13 October 2013

To mark its 25th year, the Big Apple festival is celebrating with free entry to each of the eight venues hosting events over the weekend of 12-13 October. 

So, for a taste of what’s made Herefordshire arguably the cider capital of the UK, head to its orchard epicentre, Much Marcle, and take your pick.

Blossomtime in Putley

4 May 2013 - 5 May 2013

As the blossom emerges on the trees, so last year's cider gets ready for release, and there's no better place to try it then at The Big Apple's annual Blossomtime Festival. Located in the orchard heaven that is Much Marcle, near Hereford and Ledbury, there's talks, walks and plenty to taste and sip.

Lull

Here's something that little bit different. Deliberately designed to be healthy, Lull is super-charged with natural botanicals, from lavender to green tea, lemon balm to fennel, plus – of course – the hint of hops, and some anti-oxidant fruits.

The first creation of new drinks entrepreneur Claire Lettice, although it's only the hops that come originally from the UK, all the botanicals are produced in Herefordshire.

available Fortnum & Mason, online at Lull: 2x25cl, inc P&P: £7.50 – & France

Posted on 22 Jan 2012 in

Oliver's Classic Perry

Perry pears are very different to dessert pears, often being much rounder and smaller in shape. Some hail from ancient trees, such as this 150-year-old Barland perry tree, seen here in Tom Oliver's special orchard.

Posted on 12 Nov 2011 in

Chase Marmalade Vodka

With an intense Seville orange nose, it's no wonder one of Chase Marmalade Vodka's favourite going-out guises is the Breakfast Martini.

Gallons of homemade Seville orange marmalade go into every batch of vodka prepared using Chase's unique system: first the marmalade is distilled with the vodka to fully lock in the amazing flavours, before second, further steeping takes place to intensify the aromas.

£34-37, Waitrose & selected independents; distillery

Posted on 10 Nov 2011 in

British Cassis & friends

Jo Hilditch rose to fame in 2008 when she was awarded a Great Taste Award for her British Cassis, a blackcurrant wine made with fruit from her Herefordshire family farm.

Essentially a British reworking of a French staple, this is like a little black dress - highly versatile and equally at home on many occasions. 

Posted on 03 Nov 2011 in

Cider-making Day

Location: 
Once Upon a Tree & Dragon Orchard
5 November 2011 - 10:00am - 3:00pm

A full-on cider making experience from the lovely people at Dragon Orchard. Pitch up for the day and you'll get the chance to see the press in action and get a detailed account of how it works, hear all about the cider-making process, and taste juice from the press and ciders at various stages of fermentation.

Christmas Fair

Location: 
Hereford Cider Museum
3 December 2011 - 10:00am - 4:00pm

This is essentially a Christmas fair that's popping up within a cider museum, so you can seamlessly switch between shopping and learning as you make your way around the space.

'Hands on' apple tree pruning morning

5 February 2012 - 9:00am - 12:00pm

It's officially time to start thinking about the coming year in terms of cider production so if you want to make sure you're getting them off to a good start, join Jackie Markham at Kingsland Millennium Green in Herefordshire as she shows you how to prune your fruit trees for better tree health, shape and fruit production.