The Scrumpy User Guide - Scrumpy Suppliers Part 2

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Recommended Scrumpy Mills N-Z

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TOM PUTT

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"And there's still more zider in the vat!" - Adge Cutler (Drink Up Thy Zider)

Recommended Cider Mills - Part 2 (N-Z)

Note: Suppliers marked are new additions to the list - this doesn't mean they're new to making cider!

New Forest
Parson's Choice
Penpol

Perry's
Reddaway's
Rich's

Riddle's
Sheppy's
Summers'

Thatcher's
Vickery's
Wilkins'

Scrumpy Suppliers A-M

Name & Location

Directions

Scrumpy

New Forest Cider
Littlemead, Pound Lane, Burley, Ringwood, Hants BH24 4ED

About 250 yards down the Bransgore - Christchurch road from the Post Office. See the New Forest Cider website for details.
OS Ref: SU208027

Click on the image to see the full picture

Scrumpy maker Barry Topp (pictured) makes his Snake Catcher Scrumpy down in the New Forest by traditional methods using a mixture of local apples and Somerset cider apples. Available S, M or D on draught. He also makes Kingston Black cider and sells bottled ciders. Also for sale are various sized earthenware containers up to a gallon and other souvenirs and goods. During the pressing season (October - early December) he is happy to let visitors see his pride and joy, an antique Ratchet Twin Screw Press, in action [Ooerr! - Ed.]
Barry can often be seen at country fairs and steam rallies selling his excellent scrumpy from his thatched mobile scrumpy wagon (pictured)! For further details see the New Forest Cider website.
When Barry isn't making or selling scrumpy he has a part-time job as a roadie with a difference - instead of lugging equipment around, he provides the scrumpy supplies for his local Scrumpy & Western band The Plonkers at their gigs!

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Parson's Choice
Parsonage Farm, West Lyng, Nr. Taunton, Somerset TA3 5AP

Parsonage Farm is on the north side of the A361 Taunton - Street road between West Lyng and East Lyng. From Taunton take the A38 towards Bridgwater and turn right off the dual carriageway at West Monkton onto the A361 towards Street. The farm is a couple of miles further on just as you come out of West Lyng - look for the prominent "Cider" signs on the left.
OS Ref: ST323285

Click on the images to see the full pictures

Beautifully kept cider mill with its own orchards with several varieties of cider apple trees. The deliciously tasty cider (all made from locally grown apples) is available on draught S, M or D (or mixed to your own taste). Bring your own containers or buy them there. Very friendly place - Jeanette was happy to show us around the mill, gardens and orchards with their lovely views over the levels. Also on sale are all manner of things including cider jars, candles, preserves, gifts and wooden tubs for the garden. They also have a fascinating display of old cider jars and similar "scrumpiana" in the shop.

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Penpol
Middle Penpol Farm, St Veep, Lostwithiel, Cornwall PL22 0NG

Reached along the narrow Cornish lanes typical of the area - drive with caution! From the A390 at Lostwithiel, take the turning south towards the village of Lerryn (about 3 miles). Cross the bridge and turn right, taking the road south to St Veep. Keep straight on through St Veep past the church, then after about half a mile you should see the "cider" sign to the farm on the right of the road as you enter the hamlet of Penpol.
OS Ref: SX144544

Keith Langmaid - Penpol Cider
Click on the image to see the full picture

Keith Langmaid of Penpol Cider makes his scrumpy the old fashioned way, pressing the pomace through straw, with nothing (as they say) added or taken away, using traditional cider apple varieties. The results are a delicious and strong cider which can hold its own against many of the best in the country. You take it as it comes, straight from the cask - on my visit there were two different ones available, both superb but different in character. Containers supplied or take your own for refills.

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Perry's
The Cider Mills, Dowlish Wake, near Ilminster, Somerset TA19 0NY

More difficult to describe than it is to find, but here goes: from the A303 roundabout at the junction with the A358 (Taunton - Chard road), follow the road south-east through Ilminster, then as you leave the town take the right hand fork towards Kingstone. At Kingstone, turn right then immediately left, towards the village of Dowlish Wake. Follow the bendy road to the village and you will see the signs and the entrance to the cider mill on the right. The cider mill is signposted from the A303 - follow the brown and white "hay wain" signs.
OS Ref: ST375127

The scrumpy can be bought D/M/S or any mixture to taste. Vintage scrumpy available as well as the "ordinary" (which is far from it!). The shop sells cider in various containers (or you can bring your own) as well as gifts and souvenirs (tea towels, china, chutney, jam, etc.) and there's a small but fairly interesting cider and farm museum - entrance free to customers.
Cider sold in all sorts and sizes of containers ranging from fancy earthenware jars to the normal plastic 5-litre containers - or they're happy to fill your own, metric or imperial.

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Reddaway's
Lower Rixdale Farm, Luton, Chudleigh, Newton Abbot, Devon

A fairly difficult one to find! From the A380 take the Ideford Arch turnoff and take the road southeastwards towards the village of Ideford (a mile or so from the main road). Warning: the roads in these parts are mostly narrow, single-track roads between high banks, so caution is advised! Go straight through Ideford along Fore Street, and when you reach the Rixafer Road, turn left and then almost immediately right, following the signs towards Luton. Once in Luton (about half a mile farther on), turn left into Church Street. At the end of Church Street, turn left up the farm track, past Cherrycombe and follow the track for about a quarter of a mile to the farm.
OS Ref: SO703023

Reddaway's Cider Store
Click on the image to see the full picture

Reddaway's is a relatively small cidermaker, but cider has been made at Lower Rixdale Farm for generations. The current proprietor, John Reddaway, is a busy farmer who makes cider as a sideline, just as his father and grandfather did. John's cider varies in character depending on the mix of apples used from year to year, but it's always high quality. A friendly place, and very reasonably priced - recommended.
Reddaway's are happy to fill your own containers (including gallon ones) or sell you some if you don't have any.

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Rich's
Watchfield, nr Highbridge, Somerset TA9 4RD

Rich's is on the northern side of the B3139 Wedmore - Highbridge road in the village of Watchfield, a few miles east of Highbridge and roughly midway between Highbridge and the village of Mark. It's very close to the junction of the B3139 and the B3141 Watchfield-Woolavington road. If you approach from Woolavington direction, take the right fork at the junction (i.e. head for Mark and Wedmore). The mill is fairly close to the junction (hundred yards or so).
OS Ref: ST347471

Click on the images to see the full picture

All Rich's superb cider is made the proper way from real cider apples and matured in oak vats - including the girt big 10,000 gallon one you can see in one of the pictures. Rich's have shown their future commitment to scrumpy by planting some new orchards of traditional cider apple trees (see picture) to ensure the future supply! The cider is well-rounded and full of character - just scrumptious! You can buy dry, medium, sweet or any combination to your taste. Rich's is a favourite with many Scrumpy User Guide visitors, judging by the comments received - and I can only agree! Bring your own containers or buy them here. As if all that weren't enough, Rich's are one of the friendliest scrumpy makers you could wish to meet!

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Riddle's
Oak Farm, Oldbury, Gloucestershire BS35 1RD

Oak Farm is on the road from Thornbury to the Oldbury power station, about a mile out of Thornbury. The farm is behind a cottage next to the north of the road on a fairly straight stretch. You will have to park in the road if you have a car - park carefully as although the road's fairly narrow it can be busy. Go through the side gate and ring the bell at the door if there's no-one around.
OS Ref: ST633920

Only one type of cider (medium-dry, but variable season on season) but excellent stuff. Matured in oak barrels and made from local cider apples. According to the Guide to Real Cider it also includes some Bramleys and perry pears. It's recommended that you take our own containers. I didn't ask if they sell them - they might do but I'd suggest taking your own in case they don't. Note: It's only a small fairly uncommercial outfit and they may not be in if you call unexpectedly. Last time I went they were out - if this happens to you I suggest you try Cowhill Cider nearby - I did! [Sadly, since I wrote this, Cowhill Cider has closed - Zider Ed]
Also sells fresh eggs from the farm.

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Sheppy's
Three Bridges, Bradford-on-Tone, nr Taunton, Somerset TA4 1ER

Three Bridges, home of Sheppy's Cider, is at Bradford-on-Tone, which is south of Taunton on the eastern side of the Scrumpy Highway (the A38!) in the direction of Wellington. Couldn't be much easier to find - just look for the prominent "Cider" signs.
OS Ref: ST178222

This was the first real scrumpy I bought as a lad with my mates on the way down to Torquay for a holiday. It was good stuff then, and it's still good. S/M/D draught cider made from traditional cider apples. Shop also sells bottled ciders, cider brandy, cakes, cheese, gifts, etc. There's also an interesting scrumpy museum (small entrance fee payable).
Buy containers here or bring your own for filling.
For more about Sheppy's, see the new Sheppy's Cider website!

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Summers'
Slimbridge Lane, Halmore, Berkeley, Gloucestershire GL13 9HH

A few miles north-east(ish) of Berkeley, via Wanswell; or from the A38 NW of Dursley via Breadstone village. Slimbridge Lane is the narrow road from Halmore to (guess where!) Slimbridge. Summers' Cider & Perry is a couple of hundred yards up the lane on the right. There's a prominent sign on the left of the lane opposite the gate.
OS Ref: SO703023

Rodney Summers
Click on the image to see the full picture

Rodney Summers (pictured left) has been making scrumpy and perry since 1982, which may make him sound like a relative newcomer. But don't be fooled - Rodney's experience in the world of cider goes back much longer: for years he supplied apples to other cidermakers such as the legendary Coates of Nailsea and latterly, Bulmers, before deciding to go it alone.
He uses 100% traditional cider apples and his product varies according to the year. His cider is available in dry or medium. But perhaps he is better known for his CAMRA award-winning perry. This is excellent and highly recommended. It again varies according to the season and is normally medium-dry to dry.
Rodney is happy to fill your own containers or sell you some if you don't have any.

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Thatcher's
Sandford, Somerset

Thatcher's is easy to find on the A368 Weston-Bath road in the centre of Sandford. It's on the northern side of the road (on the left coming from Weston direction) and is prominently signed. If you're driving you can park in their car park through the gate. The shop is to the right of the gate.
OS Ref: ST421597

Now one of the largest independent cidermakers, Thatcher's ciders are widely available in pubs, shops and supermarkets around the country. They also make several brands under different names, including Cheddar Valley and the grockles' favourite Cripple Cock. In the shop you can buy Thatcher's "own brand" draught D, M or S cider, and several of the bottled products you will probably be familiar with from the supermarket shelves, including their range of interesting single varietal ciders. You can buy the cider in containers including 5-litre plastic ones and 5-gallon polycasks (a fairly hefty deposit is payable on the latter), or they'll be happy to fill your own - no problem with my gallon ones! Prices for the draught scrumpy at the mill are very reasonable, too! Check out the Thatchers Cider website for more information about the company and their products.

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Vickery's
Hisbeers Farm, Hare Lane, Buckland St Mary, Somerset TA20 3JU

I'll try and give directions for this, but it took me two attempts to find it, even following directions in David Kitton's book. It's north of the A303. I failed when approaching from the east, so on the way back I tried from the west. Directions: drive around lots of winding lanes and get lost, until you find yourself in Buckland St Mary village. Ask for directions in the post office, and listen to the lady's long, complicated directions. Try and memorise them, and think "I'll never remember this". Thank the lady, and start off, thinking "I'll ask again when I get lost". Take various turnings down increasingly narrow and bendy lanes. Just when you think you are totally lost, you turn down a farm lane on the left (I remember that bit anyway). If you see a lady in the front garden of a cottage, ask her if there's a cider mill nearby. She will point you towards a barn about 100 yards down the track.
OS Ref: ST285156

Having found it, go into the barn and the chances are you'll see the locals having a drink or two and chatting about the weather and all manner of other things in there. The ceiling and walls of the barn are festooned with all sorts of farming equipment, tractor spares, coils of wire, etc. The cider is excellent stuff - available S/M/D.
Own containers recommended - but they may sell them. A recent update would be appreciated!

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Wilkins
Land's End, Mudgley, Nr Wedmore, Somerset BS28 4TU

A couple of miles south of Wedmore on the A3151, towards Westhay, take the road going east and follow it all the way along to Land's End (if you end up at the one in Cornwall, don't tell I tell 'ee!) You may get lost but don't give up - it's worth it when you get there!
OS Ref: ST453456

Roger Wilkins is a real character and visiting his place is an enjoyable experience in pleasant surroundings, with his farm overlooking Westhay Moor Valley. Go into the barn and Roger will probably be there to offer you a sample or two. Last time I was there, there was quite a crowd inside, tasting the cider and chatting to Roger and each other, as well as a few more outside in the sun. The cider is S or D or any combination. Highly Recommended.
Containers available, or bring your own.

Roger Wilkins has his own Web Site - check it out!
(Information courtesy of Andrew Lea).

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If you know of any cider producers not in any of the guides, I'd like to hear about them - please email me! Likewise please contact me if you discover any that have disappeared, have any other info - or just want to chat about scrumpy!

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