Around 200 growers, cider makers, and guests gathered at Sheppy’s Cider this week for the National Association of Cider Makers’ (NACM) Orchard Walk, a celebration of British cider, Somerset’s rich apple-growing tradition, and the local community that supports it.
The event was hosted by David Sheppy, sixth-generation cider maker and Chair of the NACM, at his family farm, Three Bridges in Bradford-on-Tone. Sheppy’s have been making cider for over 200 years, though they moved to this site in 1917.
Visitors were given a rare opportunity to explore the working orchards, learn about how traditional and modern cider apple trees are cared for, and discover the environmentally friendly farming practices that Sheppy’s has championed, including a solar-powered production facility and a natural wetland system that cleans waste on site. Attendees also enjoyed local food, cider tastings, and a behind-the-scenes look at Sheppy’s award-winning cider production and hospitality business, which includes a cider shop, café, and restaurant.
“It’s been a difficult few years for farmers and cider makers alike,” said David Sheppy. “But today is about celebrating what we do best – growing world-class apples and making cider that’s enjoyed across the country and beyond.”
The UK cider market is worth £3 billion, with over a million visitors touring cider orchards and producers each year. Somerset remains a key part of this story, both as a historic heartland of cider making and as a modern, thriving rural economy.
David added: “We’re proud to continue our family tradition here at Sheppy’s and to show our guests just how vital cider apple growing is to Somerset and the UK’s rural communities.”
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Image Credit: David Chadwick
