Autumn is a wonderful season at Cocklebury. Even before the leaves start turning golden brown, mornings turn crisp and blue and the orchard is full of life. It’s the season when the countryside feels both abundant and restful, the perfect backdrop to a stay on the farm!
Pears At Cocklebury 2025
Apples At Cocklebury 2025
Traditionally, apple harvest in Britain begins in late September and runs into October, though warmer springs in recent years mean some varieties are ready earlier than they once were.
Wiltshire has a proud orchard heritage, with local varieties such as Roundway Magnum Bonum and Bedwyn Beauty, each with their own story. In nearby villages like Easton Royal, community orchards are keeping these rare varieties alive. 🍏🍐
Roundway Magnum Bonum Eating Apple
Bedwyn Beauty Cooking Apple
Many of these apples and pears have surprisingly old roots. Monasteries and abbeys once tended orchards not only for food but also to preserve genetic diversity, grafting and passing on varieties that could thrive for centuries. Later, Victorians continued the tradition, breeding many of the heritage varieties still valued today. Each tree carries a trace of this history, linking modern harvests with the work of generations before us.
Traditional orchards are also rich in biodiversity. With wide-spaced trees and natural undergrowth, they provide a thriving habitat for pollinators, birds and wildflowers. This abundance makes them valuable for nature as well as for people, offering both beauty and balance to the landscape. 🌳🐝
As the evenings draw in, Autumn is the perfect time to settle by the fire pit under the stars after a day of wandering local orchards. If you are thinking about a countryside escape, this season might just be the loveliest time to stay! ✨🍂
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