Brockhampton is home to over 145 acres of orchards, the largest in the Trust's care. Each year, the orchards erupt into blossom during the spring, later yielding damsons, apples, plums, quince and medlar fruits. Between 2019 and 2022, we restored three lost orchards at Brockhampton, planting 700 trees over 21 acres of the estate.
Surrounding the house is an orchard full of Shropshire prune damson trees which erupt into cloud-like blossom around early April, followed by laden boughs of sweet fruit by late summer.
Head through the gate and the damson trees begin to intermingle with apples, many local heritage varieties grow here such as the Onibury Pippin and Worcester Pearmain.
Other fruit on the estate include cherries, pears and the not-so-common medlar fruit which dates back to the Roman times. You have to wait for this fruit to ‘blett’ or rot, before it is sweet and soft enough to eat.
Resident farmer James Hawkins grazes his Hebrides sheep here to help manage the orchards organically.
From 2019 to 2022, we worked with our local community to restore three lost orchards at Brockhampton. Across 21 acres, over 700 fruit trees have been planted, including many varieties of apple, pear, damson, plum and quince. ‘Edible hedgerows’ consisting of fruit and nut producing plants such as elder, hazel, blackthorn and rowan, have also been planted around the orchards, providing an ecological mix for pollination and habitat.
As well as planting hundreds of fruit trees, together we have transformed grazing pasture into lowland wildflower meadows that support biodiversity, creating spaces where people can connect with nature through the seasons.
Around 3km of accessible paths have also been installed, which start in the historic damson orchard near the manor house and continue on into the newly replanted fields. You can follow the winding path through the original ‘reimagined orchard’ which was designed and created by artist Walter Jack, in collaboration with Rathbone Partnership, back in 2019. Walter Jack designed the first orchard by creating five chambers which will eventually be surrounded by lowland meadow. Here you can discover unusual and rare varieties of fruit, specially chosen to tell the story of the eating apple, from its origins in Kazakhstan through to its well-known and traditional use as the Herefordshire cider apple.
At the beginning of 2022, we installed 'orchard rooms', where your little adventurers can now run, jump and explore on the natural play trail and see if they can spot all of the animal benches and sculptures which have been inspired by the wide variety of wildlife which call the orchard home.
You can also step aboard the ‘Herefordshire Bull’ Trow which now takes centre stage in the restored orchards. Trow boats were used to transport goods, such as fruit, to and from Herefordshire along the Wye and Severn rivers. This replica boat was built by T. Nielson & Co and was kindly gifted to the National Trust by the Herefordshire Community Foundation. Climb aboard the Trow and imagine you are sailing down the river with your cargo of orchard fruit.
Generous support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery and Arts Council England, as well as funding from Sport England, helped to kick start this project. With their help and yours we have improved the quality of land at the heart of the Brockhampton Estate. We have created an exciting space that can be enjoyed by everyone for generations to come.
4 Dec 2019
Planting began inside the 'orchard rooms' today with 'Merryweather' damsons, a Brockhampton favourite. Countryside volunteer James shared his top tips for tree planting with a team of staff and volunteers before we got stuck in. 18 trees planted today, just a few hundred more to go!
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Explore the accessible paths through the young and old orchards with something of interest in every season. This 1½-mile return walk is a treat for the senses whatever time of year you visit.
Explore the wider estate and parkland and look for the flora and fauna you can spot on a seasonal walk over this 1,700-acre estate.
At the heart of the estate lies Lower Brockhampton Manor house, a late 14th century timber-framed house, surrounded by a moat and entered via a timber-framed gatehouse.
Uncover 600 years of history inside this timber framed manor house and learn how it evolved to meet the different needs of different generations who lived there.
Find out more about the work the team are doing to care for wildlife at Brockhampton and our traditional orchards.
Find out more about the different aspects of work being done to protect and care for Brockhampton manor house and the challenges caused by cohabiting with bats.
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