Hello! I am Colin, Orchards Manager at Leckford Estate.
I look after 18 hectares of pear and apple orchards, only a short drive from the Longstock Farm Shop & Café. During September and October, we pick our apples and pears from right here on the farm. We grow 5 varieties of apples and 4 varieties of pears that are sold locally in our Farm Shop and select Waitrose stores.
During the growing season, we regularly check the fruit for size, colour, finish and firmness to determine the very best time to start picking. This year our 6730 fruit trees have produced an amazing abundance of apples and pears thanks to the warm summer months. The fruit trees enjoyed our long sunny summer days as they need plenty of sunlight to ripen their fruit.
All of our Leckford apples are carefully picked by hand with our team of trained pickers, sensitively handled to ensure no bruising. The entire process is supervised by myself. We pick fruit for eating and for Leckford apple juice and sparkling cider available at our Farm Shop, Café and selected Waitrose stores.
You can find our apple and pear varieties on sale at the Farm Shop (subject to availability) between September and November. Due to our commitment to quality seasonal produce, we only sell produce when it’s at its freshest.
If you are in Hampshire, near Stockbridge, why not visit the Farm Shop and enjoy our locally grown apples and pears for yourself. I promise you won’t be disappointed!
Ps: Use our Bramley apples in an apple pie, it makes the ideal addition to any Sunday Roast!