|
Castle Fruit Farm has been
farmed by Michael and Christiana Bentley since 2002. The farm consists of some
150 beautiful and undulating acres under orchard crops.
The farm is situated 2 miles north of the town of Newent on
the B4215 road, 12 miles north west of the City of Gloucester.
The area ideally suited to fruit growing because of the local
climate and altitude.
The farm straddles the parishes of Dymock and Oxenhall.
It appears from old maps that fruit has been grown here for a
long time. The farm house is built on the site of a
castle; across the road is the landmark of Castle Tump.
The farm has a windmill, built in the 1920's, which sadly is not
working now, but it is hoped will be restored one day.
The growing area can be divided roughly into:
-
Half for
dessert apples, pears and Bramley -
varieties Queen Cox, Ashmeads Kernel, Gala, Jonagold,
Russet, Elstar, Delbar Estival, Braeburn and Jazz
-
A quarter for
plums - Opal, Reeves Seedling, Valor,
Victoria, Avalon and Marjories Seedling
-
A quarter for
cider apples – varieties Major, Harry
Masters and Dabinet
-
And a few cherries – small area but delicious!
There is a farm shop selling our own produce open from the
end of July to September for plums, and from the end of
September to Christmas for apples and pears. Our apple and
pear juice is available throughout the year through the shop
when it is open, or by phoning out of the shop season (01531 890428).
|