Cider Harvest 2025: From Blossom to Barrel – A Year in the Orchard

Howard Hughes
Sep 19
3 min read

Every cider harvest has its own rhythm, and 2025 has felt like a year of contrasts here at Bowhayes Farm. From the crisp days of February through to the rain-soaked weeks of September, the orchard has kept us on our toes – but the trees look set to reward all that care and patience with a crop full of promise.

February: Shaping the Orchards

The season began back in February with the shaping of the orchards. Unlike precise hand-pruning, shaping is a faster, more practical approach that still brings many of the same benefits – improving light and airflow through the trees – while also ensuring tractors and harvest machinery can move efficiently between the rows when the time comes. It sets the stage for both healthy growth and a smooth harvest.

April: An Early and Abundant Blossom

Unlike 2024, when blossom was late and patchy, this year saw an early and abundant bloom. By mid-April the orchards were alive with scent and colour, with Browns, Michelin, and Dabinett trees bursting into flower under bright skies. Crucially, we had no late frosts, so the delicate blossom held strong, and pollinators had plenty of opportunities to do their work. The result: a fantastic fruit set across the farm.

Summer: Hot, Dry Days

From May through August, rainfall was in short supply. Bright, hot days defined much of the summer, which meant the trees worked hard under stress but also began concentrating sugars in the fruit. For cider makers, that usually translates into juice with excellent sugar levels – the backbone for great fermentation and depth of flavour.

September: A Soaking at Last

Just as the orchards were crying out for moisture, September arrived with rain – and lots of it. The ground drank deep, and the apples swelled beautifully. The moisture has brought a final flourish to the fruit, adding juiciness to complement the sugars developed over the summer.

Now: On the Cusp of Harvest

With the apples hanging heavy and the ground conditions soft but workable, we’re now on the cusp of harvest. A bit of last-minute maintenance is underway – greasing the shakers, checking the sweepers, and making sure tractors and trailers are ready to roll. Before long, the orchards will be alive with the sound of machines, and lorries will be loading out bulk apples to cider makers across the southwest.

A New Chapter: Our Own Cider Brand

Alongside supplying Browns, Michelin, and Dabinett apples to our customers, we’ve been quietly working on something new – our own Bowhayes Farm cider brand. It’s still taking shape, but 2025 feels like the right year to bring our apples full circle, from blossom in the orchard to barrel in the cellar. More on that soon!

Come and Experience the Harvest

There’s no better way to appreciate cider than by seeing where it all begins. Why not come and witness the harvest for yourself? Stay in our cosy Shepherd’s Hut Pippin, watch the tractors rolling through the orchards, and enjoy the scent of freshly gathered apples in the autumn air. And of course – taste some of our cider while you’re here.

While you’re staying with us, you can:

Ride the Seaton Tramway (20 minutes away) and enjoy the stunning estuary views with the trees turning gold.
Walk the East Devon Way – a local stretch of countryside footpaths perfect for crisp autumn rambles.
Visit the Honiton Market on a Tuesday or Saturday and sample the best of Devon’s local produce.
Cycle to Otterton Mill for lunch by the river and a taste of local baking, brewing, and milling heritage.