 Throughout
Herefordshire there is a strong tradition of farm cider-making.
Farmers produced cider to be drunk by the farm labour force during
the following year, especially the busy times of hay-making and
harvest. Farmers used to sell cider to local pubs and cider merchants
for re-sale in towns.
For 350 years cider production
in Herefordshire has been on a rollercoaster, periodically rising
to become an industry of great reputation. Throughout this time
Herefordshire has been the major player in cidermaking in Britain
and Herefordshire people have led the way. There is no better place
to find out about cider.
 The
world's biggest cider mill, 
(now owned by Scottish Courage), is located close to the city centre
of Hereford where it was built in 1887 by local vicar's son, Percy
Bulmer. Sadly, visitor tours of the mill are no longer possible,
but every pub and country inn in Herefordshire - as well as the
rest of the UK - will stock a selection of Bulmers brands, Strongbow,
Woodpecker, Scrumpy Jack or the cask conditioned, Bulmers Traditional.
Each autumn Bulmers presses
around 80,000 tonnes of cider apples from the region's 10,000 acres
of orchards and makes 65% of the five million hectolitres of cider
enjoyed each year in the UK.
How to enjoy Herefordshire
Cider:
- Drink it! - Ask for Herefordshire cider in
pubs and restaurants
- Eat it! - Look out for dishes using cider
if you eat out
- See it being made - you can visit many producers
- Learn about its history and traditions - The
Cider Museum in Hereford is a good place to start
- Become a connoisseur - many venues invite
you to sample a range of ciders and perries
- Take some home with you - taste Herefordshire
and bring back memories, or spoil your friends
Get involved - a number of events enable you to talk
to cider makers and even participate in making cider yourself- Enjoy the cider landscape - orchards are special
places in all seasons - blossom in spring, shade in summer, apples
in the autumn and mistletoe in winter
- Explore at a leisurely pace - take a country
walk (many rights of way pass through orchards) or cycle ride
(an excellent way to reach the various venues).
- Look out for this road sign as you tour the route:
AND REMEMBER Don't drink
and drive!
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Cider Producers