Summer at Bowhayes Farm: A Season of Growth, Guests, and Good Cider (We Hope!)

As summer unfolds across East Devon, life at Bowhayes Farm in Venn Ottery is full of activity, quiet promise, and that unmistakable rural buzz. For us, the warmer months are a time when everything – from trees to tents – comes into its own.

This year, it’s shaping up to be a particularly exciting season, with developments across the farm, nursery, and orchard keeping us on our toes and our spirits high.

Bowhayes Farm Logo

A New Chapter at Bowhayes Trees

Those who’ve passed by recently may have noticed some changes underway at our nursery. Bowhayes Trees Ltd, the tree-growing arm of the farm, is undergoing a thoughtful redevelopment. We’re reworking the layout to improve access and presentation, with a particular focus on showcasing our stock of ornamental, fruiting, and native trees in a way that does them justice.

The trees are looking particularly fine this year – full canopies, healthy root systems, and lush green growth reflecting months of careful propagation and tending. Whether you’re after a single feature tree for a small garden or planning a larger planting scheme, now is a fantastic time to see what’s flourishing.

We’re also relaunching our small on-site coffee shop – a quiet spot that has been part of the nursery since 2019. After a short pause, it’s reopening with a refreshed look and a warm welcome for those who fancy a drink while enjoying the setting.

Camping, Glamping and Countryside Calm

Meanwhile, Bowhayes Farm continues to welcome guests from all over the UK to experience our peaceful corner of the West Country. Our bell tents and shepherd’s hut have been steadily filling with those seeking a break from busy lives – and we’re always delighted to share our slice of the countryside with them.

With walking trails winding through Venn Ottery’s beautiful landscape, local pubs serving a proper pint, and easy access to the Jurassic Coast, it’s no wonder many of our guests become regulars. Some rise early to catch glimpses of roe deer at the edge of the orchard. Others enjoy late evenings watching the stars or listening to owls call from the woods. It’s a simple but deeply rewarding way to reconnect with nature.

Spring Blossom - Dabinett Apples

Cider Apples and Orchard Care

Back on the farming side, our cider orchard has come through spring with a stunning blossom display – among the most fragrant we can remember. A cool, wet March followed by a warm, dry April gave the trees just the right nudge, and our early spring pruning efforts have paid off in spades. The blossom this year may well have been the heaviest and most fragrant we’ve seen in over a decade – a reward for patient shaping and careful pruning over the winter.

Now, in July, we’re watching the apples swell. The Browns, Dabinett and Michelin varieties are showing good promise. We’re still hoping for some much-needed rain to finish the job, but so far, the signs are encouraging.

With luck, we’ll be harvesting a solid yield later this autumn – and, if all goes to plan, relaunching our very own cider. It’s been on pause for a while, but we’re quietly optimistic that 2025 will be the vintage to bring it back.

Michelin Apple Tree

Quiet Work in the Background

Alongside the more visible activities on the farm, a lot of quieter work continues behind the scenes too. Our in-house team has been working hard to update and improve our two websites – www.bowhayestrees.co.uk and www.bowhayesfarm.co.uk. The Bowhayes Trees site now includes updated planting advice and product info, while the Bowhayes Farm site makes it easier than ever to book a stay and explore what’s on in the area.

Looking Ahead

Whether we’re planting trees, welcoming glamping guests, tending the orchard, or relaunching the coffee shop and cider, summer is a time when everything feels connected – grounded in place, and guided by the season.

If you’re local, do pop in for a walk and a chat. And if you’re reading this from further afield, perhaps it’s time to come and discover what life on our Devon farm looks (and smells and sounds) like in the height of summer. We’d love to welcome you.

The Bowhayes Family