Ightham Mote is the perfect location for an apple orchard with 'iconic historic' apples, most of which are only visible in books or the National Fruit Collection...
Ightham Mote is a 700 year old moated Manor House set in the Kent countryside - what a perfect place to organise an apple weekend: the orchard contains the legendary Blenheim Orange, Court Pendu Plat, Nonpareil, Gascoynes Scarlet and Ribston Pippin among the 20 + varieties at Ightham Mote.
Below: The apple tasting and other stands in front of Ightham Mote Manor House
The Top Attraction - an opportunity to taste historic varieties.....
Below: Ightham Mote Manor House with surrounding Moat
Below: left; Aerial image of Ightham Mote and right; a closer view of the orchard
Below: tasting samples of the Ightham Mote Orchard
Below: left; Pippa Greenwood, Ightham Mote Gardener responsible for the old orchard and right; this pear is an unidentified variety....
Below: Apple Weekend stalls in front of The Manor House
Below: David from Edible Culture
Below: The English Apple Man joined Stefan Jordan on the Hadlow College Stand and right; Stefan at work making apple juice for visitors
Below: left; The Tonbridge 'Old Fire Station' stand and right; advertising the TOFS 'wares'
Below Liz Grant from Romney Marsh Wools and Olio of Oxney Lavender
Below: left; Gilly Jones Kentish Cobnuts are a very special 'Autumn treat' and right; McCarthys 'mouth watering' speciality bakery products
Visit Gilly Jones Cobnuts website for more information.
Below: in the old orchard, a few new varieties have been planted as Espaliers on the wall below the orchard...
This was altogether a very special event set in a stunning setting: for more information visit Ightham Mote website.
That is all for this week...we are still in Malta enjoying a spell of 'R&R' ....
Take care
The English Apple Man