Best cider farms to go cider tasting at in the South West

Following the hot Easter that we've had in the region it seems that the cider season has already gotten started this year. Despite some storms predicted towards the end of the week, it's looking like the warm weather will be mainly sticking around.

One of the best activities to enjoy living in this part of the country is to go cider tasting. We're so lucky to have so many great ciders being produced on our doorsteps, and being able to visit the farms they are produced on can be the making of a magical summer day.

With many of the farm tours opening around this time of year, we've compiled a list of great places to go cider tasting.

Torre Cider Farm, Somerset

Cider casks and orchards at Torre Cider Farm, Watchet, Somerset

This orchard and farm near the historic town of Watchet in Somerset has been producing traditional scrumpy for over 20 years, ranging from dry to medium sweet cider, as well as making fresh apple juice and cider vinegar.

The farm also houses a cafe where visitors can enjoy locally sourced produce and, of course, a glass of fresh cider! Visitors can view the old cider press room and wander around the farm and orchard. With ciders including Sheep Stagger, ​Farmhouse, Bees Knees and Fuzzy Duck there should be one to match everyone's tastes.

Healey’s Cornish Cyder Farm, Cornwall

Healey’s Cornish Cyder Farm near Newquay, Cornwall

This family-run farm located near Newquay, Cornwall, has been making the most of their apples for over 30 years. Producers of the famous Cornish Rattler cider, the farm produces an array of award-winning ciders. Visitors can experience a tour that allows them to see every process of cider pressing from start to finish. There’s also a restaurant, tea rooms, farm shop and an animal courtyard for the little ones. Recently visited by Prince William and Kate Middleton, this is a cider experience not to be missed.

Day’s Cottage Apple Juice, Gloucestershire

Picture: Simply Cider Presses

Day’s Cottage Apple Juice is a family run business, based on the family farm, that is reviving a long tradition of cider and perry making in Gloucestershire. Alongside their multiple award winning apple juice the farm are also producing totally pure ciders and perry, the only process being that of pasteurisation. Visitors are invited to come and picnic in their orchards or cosy yurt.

Sheppy's Cider Farm near Taunton, Somerset

Sheppy's Cider Farm near Taunton, Somerset

At Sheppy's there are several guides who will give you a fun, interesting and memorable visit whilst teaching you about their orchards, the harvest, cider pressing and storage and maturing in oak and steel. Sheppys are one of the oldest craft cider making families in the world, with a history that goes back more than 200 years, and even run their own festivals. With a range of ciders too long to list, visitors can taste special editions, vintage, cloudy and fruit ciders.

Burrow Hill Cider Farm, Somerset

Burrow Hill Cider Farm, Martock, Somerset

Described as "the Garden of Eden on Tap", the cider and cider brandys at Burrow Hill Cider Farm are delectable. The team have been selling Burrow Hill Cider at Glastonbury Festival since the very beginning, and run the Somerset Cider Bus which has been there for the past 30 years. Visitors can wander freely around the farm and 30 minute orchard trail or arrange more formal hour and a half long tours. Drinks are available to sample amongst 170 year old vats, with varieties including Ice Cider, Stoke Red Bottle Fermented Sparkling Cider, and of course the aptly named Burrow Hill.

Haywood Farm, Cornwall

Visitors can learn the ins and outs of cider making at Haywood Farm, Wadebridge, Cornwall

Cider has been produced for centuries on the granite cider press at Haywood Farm in Wadebridge, Cornwall. The farm runs walking tours of it's orchards, which teach visitors about the varieties of apple they grow for cider and juice, and gives tips on growing apples. They also give a demonstration on propagating apple trees before heading back to the cider house for a Cornish cheese board and – most importantly – cider sampling. Sweet, medium, dry and mulled versions of the farm's traditional brand are available.