Cambridgeshire apple varieties

Information taken from East of England Apples and Orchards Project (EEAOP) site. Many of the trees in the orchard were purchased from EEAOP.

Dessert Apples

Variety First recorded Pick Use In orchard
Lord Peckover

Arose at Peckover House gardens in Wisbech. Red flushed and can be large in size. Skin has a peach-like white bloom. A very early dessert variety, best eaten in August.

 1926 Aug Aug Planted in February 2013
Lady Hollendale

Probably arose in the Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire or Norfolk Fens since it was being grown for the Wisbech fruit markets in the 1920-30s. An early season crisp and juicy red apple, best picked and eaten in August.

 pre-1920 Mid Aug Mid/late Aug Planted in February 2013
St. Everard

An early dessert apple bred at Papworth Everard Hall gardens by crossing the varieties Margil and Cox’s Orange Pippin. Small to medium in size. Distinctly flushed dark red with an aromatic taste.

 pre-1900 Early Sept Sept-Oct To be planted in February 2014
Wayside

A seedling of the variety Charles Ross. Raised by Miss Cunningham of ‘Wayside’, Huntington Road, Cambridge. Distinctive fruity-tasting crisp flesh.

 1930 Late Sept Oct-Nov Planted in February 2013
Histon Favourite

Raised by John Chivers of Histon. Pale yellow skinned with a scattering of pink stripes. Sharp and crisp flavour when picked, mellowing with storage.

 mid 1800s Late Sept Oct-Dec Two trees, planted in February 2013
Thoday’s Quarrenden

Discovered growing at Willingham by nurseryman Mr. Ralph Thoday. It is probably a seedling of the dessert variety Devonshire Quarrenden. Small sized. Bright red skinned. It will keep until February.

 1949 Early Oct Nov-Feb To be planted in February 2014
Perfection

Raised by Seabrook & Son of Boreham, Essex, for Eric Wallis of Bluntisham, by crossing the varieties Cox’s Orange Pippin and Worcester Pearmain. A medium to large sized yellow skinned apple with a bright red flush. Very crisp and juicy.

 c.1960 Mid Oct Oct-Nov Planted in February 2013
Chiver’s Delight

Raised by Stephen Chivers of Histon. A medium to large sized dull green skinned apple that is occasionally flushed golden brown. Aromatic and crisp flesh.

 c.1920 Mid Oct Nov-Jan Two trees, planted in February 2013
Cockett’s Red

A long keeping small red flushed variety that once grew mainly in the Wisbech area. Known in the past as Marguerite Henrietta and locally as ‘One Bite’. Very sharp when first picked but mellows after storage.

 pre-1910 Pick mid Oct Nov-Jan/Feb Undecided
Barnack Beauty

A long keeping eating apple raised at Barnack. Received RHS awards in 1899 and 1909. Medium sized and slightly oblong with an eye catching orange brown flush. Attractive blossom. A sweet and complex tasting apple. Has good resistance to scab.

 c.1840 Pick mid Oct Use Dec-Mar Undecided
New Rock Pippin

Raised by William Pleasance in the Barnwell area of Cambridge and first exhibited in 1821. A spice-like flavour coupled with excellent keeping qualities.

 1821 Mid Oct Jan-Mar/May Planted in February 2013
Lord Burghley

Found growing as a seedling tree at Burghley House. Rescued by the Head Gardener and first sold by a Peterborough nurseryman. It became a popular gardeners’ choice. Received an RHS award in 1865 for its long keeping qualities. Sweet tasting. It will keep until April.

 1834 End Oct Jan-Apr To be planted in February 2014

Dual purpose apples

Variety First recorded Pick Use In orchard
Huntington Codlin

Introduced by nurseryman Wood and Ingram of Huntingdon. Pale yellow skinned with a few red stripes. Soft and juicy cream coloured flesh. Not very acidic and will cook to a frothy puree.

 1883 Early Sept Sept – Oct/Nov To be planted in 2015
Green Harvey

A long keeping green skinned variety. The sample in the National Fruit Collection was received from Cambridgeshire in 1930. Course fleshed so keeps shape quite well when cooked and needing little sugar.

 1813 Late Oct Dec-Feb/Apr To be planted in 2015

Culinary apples

Variety First recorded Pick Use In orchard
Red Victoria

An early season sharp cooking apple best picked and used in August. It was found growing near Wisbech and introduced by Messrs. Miller of Wisbech in 1908. Resembles a ripe tomato in appearance when ready to pick.

 1884 Aug Aug Undecided
Jolly Miller

Once popular in the Cottenham area. Possiibly named after the village Public House of the same name where fruit was once traded. A medium sized tall apple with a greasy yellow skin, reddish flush and broken red stripes.

 1883 Late Sept Sept-Oct Planted in February 2013
Murfitt’s Seedling

Once popular in the Cottenham and Histon areas, so probably arose in Cambridgeshire. Large and angular with a dull green coloured skin. Holds shape well when cooked and needs virtually no sugar.

 1883 Mid Oct Oct-Dec/Jan Planted in February 2013
Cottenham Seedling

Raised by Robert Norman of Cottenham. The variety Dumelow’s Seedling is one of its parents. A long keeping cooking apple once popular with gardeners and commercial growers around Cambridge. Has a delicate pale yellow and slightly greasy skin.

 1923 Mid Oct Nov-Mar Planted in February 2013
Morley’s Seedling

A late keeping apple raised by Charles Morley of Fordham by crossing the varieties Alfriston and Lane’s Prince Albert. Can be large in size, with a green coloured skin and occasionally a dull brown flush. Keeps shape well when cooked.

 pre-1928 Mid Oct Nov-Jan/Mar Undecided
Events

We run a number of events at the orchard across the year, including a Winter Wassail, our Bird in the Hand Breakfast (with the RSPB), and Juicing Days. We also organize days for Pruning Workshops and related skills.

More about events
Volunteering

Volunteers are the lifeblood of the orchard and they range from schoolchildren to the retired. Volunteers are especially appreciated for events and maintenance days. Helping out for just a few hours a year can make an enormous difference to the things we can get done.

more about volunteering