Cotehele’s ‘surprising’ apple harvest needs your help this weekend

Most orchards across the region had a rough summer. Weeks of dry heat left trees stressed and fruit patchy. Tucked into a fold of the Tamar Valley near Saltash, Cotehele’s did not get the memo.

A harvest nobody expected

The Mother Orchard at Cotehele is the heart of the wider estate, home to more than 100 West Country apple varieties and, last year, its best harvest on record. With traditional orchards elsewhere in the region struggling through the summer’s dry heat, National Trust staff had been keeping their fingers crossed as this year’s fruit began to emerge.

They needn’t have worried. Dave Bouch, Head Gardener at Cotehele, said the microclimate of the valley came to the rescue.

“Somehow we seem to have bucked the trend,” said Dave. “This is a great apple harvest for us at Cotehele, saved by the temperate climate we have in the Valley. I’m thrilled the trees have given us a crop like this after such a hot summer.”

📷The orchard in September at Cotehele, Cornwall. The estate's Mother Orchard has over 300 trees and 125 heritage varieties.

Apples falling weeks early

It isn’t a summer without consequences, though. The clearest sign of the extreme weather is that fruit has been dropping to the ground weeks ahead of schedule.

“The apples falling earlier is certainly an effect of the heat shocking the trees,” Dave continued. “But there’s one plus-side: they’re perfect for cider making. Now our challenge is to use as much of the fruit as possible.”

📷A young visitor gathers apples in the orchards at Cotehele, Cornwall. Credit: National Trust Images/James Beck

Apple Weekend, 12 and 13 September

That challenge is where visitors come in. Cotehele’s much-loved Apple Weekend runs as planned this Saturday and Sunday, 12 and 13 September, from 11am to 4pm, with apple picking, tastings and harvest activities for all ages set against the golden light of early autumn. Staff and volunteers will be on hand throughout to answer questions about the dozens of heritage varieties and share some orchard-care know-how.

James Davis, Senior Gardener at Cotehele, said the yield is slightly down on last year’s bumper crop, but there is still plenty to go round.

“Visitors should come and get their fill,” said James. “The yield is slightly less than last year’s bumper crop but there’s plenty of these wonderful, rare apple varieties to go around.”

Visitors can wander through the Mother Orchard, pick apples straight from the trees and take them home, whether that means eating them fresh, juicing them or turning them into an autumn bake or a crumble.

Lending a hand with the windfalls

Once visitors have filled their own bags, James is hoping some will stay to help with the rest.

“After our visitors have ‘filled their boots’, as many hands make light work, we hope they might help us gather up a few of the many windfalls to make our Mother Orchard Cider,” said James. “The profits of the cider will be used to support the work of the garden team here at Cotehele, and the fallen apples won’t be wasted. It’s a lovely cycle.”

Visiting details

Normal admission applies, and entry is free for National Trust members. Full details are on the Cotehele visitor page.

Cotehele’s Apple Weekend, 12-13 September, 11am-4pm

• Tastings of rare and historic West Country apple varieties
• Orchard tours and wildflower meadow sessions
• Apple scones made with fresh fruit from the orchards, alongside Mother Orchard Cider

Pick Your Own Apples at Cotehele, 12-15 September, 10am-4pm

• Cotehele, Cornwall
• Bring your own bags or buy one on site (£3 paper bag, £5 reusable sack)
• Suggested donations go directly to the garden team to help maintain the gardens and orchards

It’s a lovely cycle, as James put it. The apples that fall too soon end up back on the estate, one bag and one bottle of cider at a time.

📷Volunteers and staff making preparations for Apple Weekend at Cotehele, Cornwall. Credit: National Trust Images/Mel Peters