A bumper crop to be celebrated at the Killerton cider and apple weekend

In stark contrast to last autumn, the Killerton National Trust estate near Exeter is celebrating a bumper crop of apples at this weekend’s Killerton cider and apple festival.

On Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 October, months of apple picking at Killerton culminates in an annual family festival to mark National Apple Day. The orchard is festooned with bunting, stalls are scattered between the apple trees and the amazing smell of a hog roast will greet visitors at the gates.

Helen Trebble, Killerton Community Access Officer said: “This weekend we invite families to grab a sack and join us in the orchard to help pick up apples. There will be mini wheelbarrows for our little helpers too”.

For the children, there is mask-making and a bumble bee parade through the orchard. Youngsters can also forage their own apples and cook them over a camp fire with Exeter Forest School. Have-a-go woodcrafts using apple-wood is provided by Escot and Exeter Woodcarvers. Older children can try William Tell archery under the expert tuition of Exeter Company of Archers.

For the adults, the Killerton cider bar is serving the estate’s award-winning cider alongside local wines, ales to enjoy while sitting back to hear local bands David Harbottle and the friendly cats, The Castletown Boys and The Bootleg Swingband.

The countryside tent is the busiest part of the orchard. Families are encouraged to bring one small bag of their own apples to press into a bottle of juice to take home. Apples are also on sale from a vintage apple cart. An expert will help identify visitor’s home-growns and local fruit tree nursery, Adam’s Apples will be selling English apple trees and offering specialist advice.

Helen continued: “Last year’s irregular growing season meant our 58 acres of orchards experienced the lowest yield in decades. Today 600 apple trees at Killerton are groaning under the weight of fruit-filled branches.

Killerton Area Warden, Ed Nicholson said: “We’re expecting to yield 15 tons of apples which will be pressed into 7,000 litres of juice. We need extra volunteers this weekend to help collect our bumper crop in time and the Killerton cider and apple weekend is the perfect opportunity to get some much needed help!”

The Killerton cider and apple weekend is 10am-5pm. Admission: £2 Adult, £1 Child and £5 Family. Free entry to NT members and U5’s. Visit: nationaltrust.org.uk/killertonapples or tweet @NTKillerton