The Spirit of Somerset at Burrow Hill
Posted October 7, 2025You smell Burrow Hill before you see it, apples, orchards, old barns and the rhythm of the seasons. At Somerset Cider Brandy Company, cider heritage is kept alive apple tree by apple pip, in orchards where apple varieties reigns supreme. Visit, taste, and discover the true spirit of Somerset.
Discovering Somerset Cider Brandy Company and the magic of the Kingston Black harvest
In October you smell Burrow Hill before you see it. The sweet, earthy scent of apples hangs in the air, laced with the faint tang of fermenting juice. Down the lanes of Kingsbury Episcopi and Stembridge, tractors hum steadily between orchards and barns, hauling loads of pomace for local livestock. It’s harvest season at Somerset Cider Brandy Company, and although everyone’s working flat out, there’s a strange sort of peace here. A rhythm to it all.
This is Somerset’s cider heartland, and standing in the golden light of the Kingston Black harvest, you can feel the pulse of centuries of tradition beating quietly beneath your feet.
The Kingston Black Harvest
In the orchards surrounding Burrow Hill, the Kingston Black apple takes centre stage. Glossy, dark-skinned and full of character, it’s one of Somerset’s most famous cider apples, prized for its deep tannins and rich, bittersweet flavour. Watching the team at work, you can see why these apples inspire such devotion.
On the day we visited, the light was soft and low, catching the piles of fruit as they tumbled down and into the wash. The pulper’s steady whir filled the air, and every now and then you’d hear the soft clink of bottles being labelled by hand in the packing shed. Time moves differently here, old machinery and new ideas working side by side.
The reel we captured that day (you can find it on our Facebook page) shows just a glimpse of that magic: the glint of copper stills, the smell of freshly pressed juice, and a team utterly dedicated to their craft.
More Than What’s in the Glass
At Somerset Cider Brandy, cider isn’t just a drink, it’s a way of keeping heritage alive. Every apple variety tells a story, and every sip connects you to the land it came from. The Temperley family and their team have been nurturing this spirit of Somerset for generations, keeping cider heritage alive apple tree by apple pip.
Here, heritage isn’t a museum piece; it’s something living and breathing. You see it in the gnarled orchard trees, in the gleam of the stills, in the quiet pride of the people who make and bottle every drop. For them, it’s not just about what ends up in the glass, although that is a huge part of it, it’s also about the seasons, the soil, and the stories that travel with the cider.
From Orchard to Bottle
The journey from apple to brandy is both simple and extraordinary. Apples are harvested, washed, and milled into pulp before being pressed into juice. The juice ferments slowly over winter into cider, and a portion of it goes on to become Somerset Cider Brandy, distilled in traditional copper stills and aged in oak barrels.
Walking through the farmyard, you catch glimpses of each stage: rows of barrels in the bond, the faint shimmer of copper through the distilling room windows, and the small on-site shop where bottles glint like treasure.
How to Explore Somerset Cider Brandy
If you’re new to cider, start gently. Try a bottle of Cider Bus Cider or Perry, both light, refreshing introductions to the world of Somerset cider. Once you’ve found your feet (and your favourite apple), move on to the 5-Year-Old Somerset Cider Brandy, smooth, warming, and, dare I say, perfect with a splash of spicy ginger beer (though best not to tell Julian Temperley that, I received a through ticking off for mixing it).
And don’t leave without tasting their Ice Cider, the hidden gem of the shop. It’s golden, honeyed and rich, the perfect dessert drink and a true reflection of the Somerset orchard spirit.
Keeping Somerset’s Cider Heritage Alive
What’s so remarkable about Somerset Cider Brandy is how it bridges past and present. The Temperleys have not only revived the ancient tradition of cider distilling (officially recognised by HM Customs & Excise in 1989 after a 300-year gap) but have also made Burrow Hill a beacon for cider lovers from around the world.
To visit is to step into a living tradition. You can walk through the orchards, see the stills in action, and meet the people who’ve made it their life’s work to preserve the craft. The farm feels timeless, heritage and innovation sit comfortably side by side.
Plan Your Visit
Whether you come for a tasting, a tour, or simply to wander the orchards, a visit to Somerset Cider Brandy Company is one of those experiences that stays with you longer than the mud on your boots. You’ll leave with the scent of apples still in your head and a new appreciation for what Somerset does best.
Somerset Cider Brandy Company, Burrow Hill, Kingsbury Episcopi, Somerset TA12 6BU
Visit Somerset Cider Brandy’s website to plan your tour, explore their range, or order online.
Because here, in this quiet corner of Somerset, cider isn’t just made, it’s kept alive. Apple tree by apple pip.