Ross-on-Wye Cider & Perry Company are opening their doors for their annual charity blossom walk. On Saturday 4th May, visitors are welcomed to Broome Farm for a selfguided orchard stroll, ambling up and down hills of blossoming cider apples and leafy perry pear trees. The orchard walk starts and ends at their pub, the Yew Tree Inn, Peterstow, on the A49, so access is simple via car or bus route 33. The walk is officially 12-4PM on Saturday but visitors are welcome anytime, and the route remains open all through the summer.
“It’s lovely to welcome neighbours and local visitors to our orchard to celebrate the blossom,” said Albert Johnson of Ross-on-Wye Cider & Perry. “Our ciders are all made with that sense of place in mind; we want people to feel connected to our farm and the nature on it. There’s no better way to really enjoy a drink than to see the place where it is made.”
Visitors have the option of selecting the Green route for a 2.5km walk through some of the key orchards at Broome Farm, or for a longer walk, can select the Red route for a 5km hike that takes them around the marsh and along the perimeter of one of the most historic and celebrated orchards of the company, named ‘Gameoolands’. The marsh at Broome Farm has been recognised by the Herefordshire Wildlife Trust as a special Local Wildlife Site and is sometimes home to the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. Lucky visitors might catch sight of one, last reported in 2020!
Whilst on the walk, guests have the opportunity to pause their afternoon stroll by visiting the patio at Broome Farm Guesthouse. Beautiful homemade cream teas will be served 1-4PM in the afternoon, with the outstanding view across the valley as a backdrop.
As well as scavenger hunt activity packs that can be collected at the Yew Tree Inn, this year there is the addition of a crafts station, for adults and for children. Thanks to celebrated landscape artist Abigail Devenny, walkers have the chance to participate in the painting of a communal canvas capturing the orchards in blossom. Each individual can contribute to an area of the painting, with the goal of creating a legacy of the 2024 blossom season. For children, Abigail is creating unique templates to be painted or coloured in as souvenirs to inspire them to feel a connection to nature and the landscape, and to be inspired to be creative and pick up a paintbrush in the future!
“I am delighted to be able to offer visitors a unique painting experience in the most beautiful setting” said Abigail Devenny. “Engaging adults and children in art is incredibly important to me, as there are so many benefits. It elevates mood, connects us to the beauty surrounding us and provides a true sense of accomplishment. I cannot wait to see what we create!”
The blossom walk is in aid of Hope Support Services. There is no fee to attend or to participate in the cider tasting refreshment station along the route, but donations are gladly accepted to support this local charity based in Ross-on-Wye. Hope Support Services offer support and guidance to young people aged 5 to 25 when a loved one has a serious or lifethreatening illness such as cancer.
Notes to Editors
Instagram: @rosscider
Twitter: @RossCider
Website: www.rosscider.com
Photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/8Jh6YtfugMADGCTU7
- Ross-on-Wye Cider & Perry Company was founded in 2003 at Broome Farm. The Johnson family have been pressing apples and pears at Broome Farm since the 1930s. Today their natural cider and perry is produced in the same traditional way in the unique soil and climate of Herefordshire. The cidermaking is pure and simple, using only whole juice, and allowing natural fermentation. Their scale of cider and perry production allows them to make small batches of single varieties and blends, meaning they usually have over 60 drinks available.
- The Yew Tree Inn on the A49 in Peterstow has been newly refurbished and is open sevendays a week all year round. Food is currently served on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
- Camping and Caravanning is available throughout the year at Broome Farm or at the YewTree Inn. More information and booking is available online here. The Broome Farm Guesthouse has two bookable suites, more information is available here.
Abigail Devenny is an artist living in Hampshire. In 2023 she was selected to appear as a‘Wildcard’ on Sky Landscape Artist of the Year. More information about Abigail’s work is available here: https://www.abigaildevennyart.co.uk/
Photos are available here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/8Jh6
Contact: Rebecca Fletcher becky@rosscider.com
Third-party news items that are posted on the Guild website’s news section come from press releases received by the Guild. These press releases are posted as they have been received and their publication on the Guild website is intended as an informational service provided to our members and website visitors. As such, the publication of a story from a third-party source is neither an endorsement of the content, nor its sender, by the Guild. For enquiries on any news item, please use the contact details that can be found at the bottom of each post.