We host regular work evenings on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month during the summer (March to October). For larger tasks, we often meet on Sunday mornings.
The orchard is home to around 200 fruit trees, including a variety of apples, as well as damsons, medlars, figs, quinces, mulberries, hazels, and walnuts—plenty to care for!
Our main activities include:
- Orchard maintenance (year-round):
- Planting new and replacement trees
- Weeding, hoeing, mowing, and cutting back brambles and dogwood
- Keeping footpaths clear
- Fruit picking (September/October):
- Apples, damsons, and medlars are picked and sold locally in Dorking
- Apples from our orchard and other local orchards are used for pressing into juice
- Public apple pressing events (September/October):
- Up to a tonne (1000kg) of apples are pressed at some events, and the juice is sold
- Up to a tonne (1000kg) of apples are pressed at some events, and the juice is sold
- Wassail (January):
- A fun event to bless the trees and chase away evil spirits, with a bonfire and refreshments for sale. Families are welcome!
- A fun event to bless the trees and chase away evil spirits, with a bonfire and refreshments for sale. Families are welcome!
- Beehives for honey production:
- Managed by a specialist beekeeper, our hives produce delicious honey.
