The Big Pick 2025. Orchard Days - Apple Picking, Pressing, Cider and Music

The 2025 'Open Orchard' weekend - part of the Taste East Devon Festival.

Saturday 20th September - 11am to 5pm

Sunday 21st September - 11am to 5pm

Purchase your tickets HERE.

Join us at the enchanting 'Courtney's of Whimple' cider orchard, nestled off Southbrook Lane in Whimple, Devon. This ancient orchard, with trees over 100 years old, will be open to the public for a weekend of exploration, live music, and relaxation with family and friends.

Experience the Magic of Cider Making:

Harvest Cider Apples: Participate in this year's cider apple harvest and be part of the Courtney's cider-making tradition.

Press Your Own Apples: Use our apple crushing and pressing equipment to turn apples you collect from the orchard into fresh, natural apple juice (up to 10kgs per person). Alternatively, bring your own apples, and we'll press them for you to take home. It doesn't get fresher than that!

Why Visit?

Historic Orchard: Wander through one of East Devon's oldest orchards, part of the original 'Whiteways of Whimple' orchards.

Live Entertainment: Enjoy live music as you soak in the serene atmosphere (line up still being finalised).

Family Fun: A perfect outing for families and friends to create lasting memories.

Don't miss this unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich heritage and vibrant community spirit of East Devon.

WHAT'S ON OVER THE WEEKEND (still being finalised)

Apple Picking: Dive into the Courtney's cider-making tradition by helping to harvest this year’s apple crop. Wander through our ancient East Devon orchards and soak in nature at its finest.

Apple Pressing: Create your own fresh juice by pressing apples you bring or those you pick from the orchard. Note: £2 per kg charge applies. Bring your own vessels for juice or we can provide them free of charge.

Stalls: Explore a variety of gifts and produce from local small business entrepreneurs.

Live Music: Enjoy live music all weekend long. Details still being finalised.

Bar: Savour the Courtney's Drinks range, including cocktails, our award-winning traditional, fruit, cloudy, low-alcohol ciders, and soft drinks from our cider bar.

Refreshments: Hot and cold refreshments will be available all day.

A RELAXING DAY: Grab a cider, some tasty food, and relax in the beautiful East Devon countryside. Enjoy our apple picking and pressing experience with live music.

All in all, it's a cracking day out for everyone in the fresh air at a local family business in East Devon. Not to be missed!

TICKETS

Day Tickets: Adults £6 per person, Under 16s £1.

'FLEXIBLE' Weekend Pass: Adults £8 per person, Under 16s £1.50.

Purchase your tickets on Eventbrite HERE

(Note: tickets are non-refundable, Under 2s FREE)

OTHER BITS

Well behaved dogs are permitted. We just request that they remain on a lead as we have sheep grazing in the orchards.

Limited parking facilities (we would encourage those that are close to walk or cycle, if possible).

We keep beehives in the orchard to pollinate our trees. Please keep a reasonable distance away from them as they are very busy bees!

HOW TO FIND US

Courtney's Orchards, The Old Orchards, Southbrook Lane, Whimple, EX5 2PD

View on Google Maps: HERE

Your Sat Nav may take you to a neighbouring farm. Our orchard is on 'Southbrook Lane' just past the railway bridge. 1 mile from the old A30.

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A short walk or cycle from Cranbrook, Whimple, Broadclyst and Rockbeare.

ABOUT COURTNEY'S DRINKS

We create our range of award winning ciders and juices from the apples in our orchard. Everything is done naturally with as little human intervention as possible. We hand pick, press and bottle within the orchard. We don't use harmful chemicals or fertilisers, just let nature do what it does best. Our range of ciders available include traditional, fruit and low alcohol. We also produce THE EXE GIN and Grumblebee Honey Spiced Rum which will be available to try and / or take away.

Whimple Orchards (GOLD winner) and Silly Cow Cider (SILVER winner) at the 2024 Japan Cider Cup. Yep - we export our Whimple cider to Japan!

Full range of Courtney's Drinks HERE.

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