Autumn is in the air

Autumn is in the air at White Heron Estate with the onset of both the ‘vendage’ and the apple harvest. And it’s a lot earlier than most years, thanks to the glorious summer sunshine we’ve been enjoying. In Spring, the sights and smells of the swathes of pink apple blossom were enjoyed several weeks early – in April instead of May. Autumn on the estate, also early, is even more of a feast for the senses. The fruity fragrance of the rosy apples is everywhere, and the sound of the harvest is curiously satisfying too: apples tumbling down as they’re shaken from the trees, rumbling as they are poured into baths of water for a quick wash before being scooped up again and tipped noisily onto an apple mountain, ready to be taken to Aspalls and Bulmers to be made into tangy, fruity cider.

We realised just how important the sensory delights of the Estate are when planning tours for those with disabilities. Partially sighted people have taken delight in a multi-sensory experience on our walking tours, enjoying the sounds, smells and textures to be found in our fields and orchards.

Today is Back British Farming Day and Whittern Farms is very proud to be a producer of high quality British food. Diversification and investment into the agri-tourism sector has become a priority, even a necessity, for farmers in Herefordshire and across the UK. This is in response to the ever tighter squeeze on profit margins and competition from imported, arguably inferior, cheaper food. A creative and innovative streak is in the DNA of White Heron Estate and we are constantly evolving to meet these challenges.