Somerset-based cider producer Thatchers has kicked off its earliest apple harvest in over 120 years, beginning a full 10 days ahead of their traditional schedule. The unusually long and intense summer heat has accelerated apple growth across their expansive 550-acre orchards, leading to a bumper crop of richly flavored fruit.
For the first time in the company’s history, apple-picking commenced before the August Bank Holiday, an event fueled by abundant sunshine and warm temperatures. These conditions have produced apples teeming with natural sugars and robust tannins, setting the stage for ciders of exceptional quality.
Martin Thatcher, a fourth-generation cider maker, shared his enthusiasm about the harvest: “This year’s crop is truly special. The intense summer sun has packed our apples with incredible flavour, with plenty of sugars and deep, full-bodied tannins. These characteristics are vital for crafting the perfect blend—our bittersweet apples supply tannins and body, while dessert varieties like our signature Katy add sweetness and freshness. Together, they make the delicious ciders our customers love, like Thatchers Gold.”
READ MORE: GCSE Results Day 2025: Excitement and Reactions as Somerset Students Receive Their Grades
READ MORE: Somerset Rent Crisis: Bath and North East Somerset Among UK’s Least Affordable Areas
The harvest kicked off with the vibrant red Katy apples, a hallmark of Thatchers’ range. Known for their crisp, sweet profile, Katy apples feature prominently in Thatchers Juicy Apple and the award-winning single-variety Thatchers Katy cider, recently lauded as “perfect” by judges at the Cider World Awards.
To maintain peak freshness, apples are crushed shortly after picking—often within the hour—and promptly prepared for fermentation. Richard Johnson, Head Cidermaker, noted, “Thanks to a warm spring and abundant blossom, our trees are heavily laden with fruit. The apples are slightly smaller this year due to dry conditions, but their flavors are more concentrated. I’m especially looking forward to blending bittersweet varieties like Dabinett and Somerset Redstreak, which provide the distinctive tannins that define our ciders’ rich character.”
Sustainability remains a priority for Thatchers, who power all their cider production using 100% renewable electricity, including energy generated from 3,500 solar panels installed on their farm rooftops.
This historic early harvest coincides with other major achievements for Thatchers. The family-run business has cemented its status as the top-selling cider brand across England and Wales. Additionally, their newest launch, Thatchers Juicy Apple, has become the fastest-growing new cider in the summer market.
To meet rising demand, Thatchers expanded their orchards by planting 14,500 new apple trees this spring, adding 50 acres to their estate, and enhanced production capacity at Myrtle Farm, the site where all their cider is expertly crafted.
Thatchers is also home to the Exhibition Orchard, the UK’s largest collection of cider apple varieties with an astonishing 458 different types. This orchard doubles as a research center, where the cidermaker conducts cutting-edge studies on apple varieties. Their ambitious “100 Tree Trial,” which cultivates 100 trees representing 100 varieties, is designed to help future cider makers identify apple types best suited to evolving climates while delivering the fresh, vibrant flavors that tomorrow’s cider enthusiasts will cherish.