In 2023, a group of cidermakers got together to launch the first ever British Cider Week, a celebration that we wholeheartedly endorse. We’ve taken part each year and 2025 is no exception. We thought you might like to know more about this great annual event and why we think it is so important for as many people as possible to get involved.
There’s a Special Day for That!
If you are over a certain age, you will remember a time when you celebrated Christmas, Easter, Mothering Sunday, family birthdays and anniversaries. Every other day was a ‘normal’ day but since the turn of the century, undoubtedly spurred on by social media opportunities, the ‘awareness day’ calendar has become more and more crowded. Every day is a special day for something and in 2013, World Cider Day was launched by the members of the Association of Apple Wine and Fruit Juice Press Houses in Hesse, Germany. More than a decade later, World Cider Day on June 3rd has become an international day of declaration of love for our favourite drink and we certainly enjoy this opportunity to celebrate cider. However, it isn’t too much more than an excuse for a pint and a social media post. British Cider Week is something way more tangible.
British Cider Week
British Cider Week is the brainchild of a group of cider-makers, retailers and hospitality venues from across the United Kingdom who want to celebrate the depth and diversity of British cider. Even though you may see a social post or two during the week-long festivities, the focus is much more in-person than online! Events run across the country and are hosted by a wide range of producers, from new young startups to cidermakers with generations of heritage. Each one hopes to spread the joy of cider to as wide an audience as possible by getting people along to see where their apples are grown, where and how their cider is made, the huge range of cider styles produced and just how good they all taste! By introducing more people to this historic British drink whose many guises run the gamut from traditional to ultra contemporary, the aim is to secure its future for many more generations to come.
2025 Events
Every year the word spreads and the number of events increases, offering the chance for more cider lovers, alongside the cider curious, to experience the pleasure of this fabulous apple nectar. This year British Cider Week runs from 25th April to 5th May and the calendar is packed with opportunities to meet cider makers, visit orchards and tour cider mills. There is even the chance to learn how to make your own cider and, of course, there are plenty of occasions to taste some of the huge range of ciders that are made in the UK. Some of these will be small batches that only a lucky few will get to sample. The event list is updated regularly so keep checking to see If there is one near you and join in if you can.
Tour of the Barrels
We have supported British Cider Week from the start and we are delighted to be hosting our own celebration. Following the sell-out success of last year, Barny will be opening up the cellar for an intimate Tour of the Barrels on 25th April. If you think you’ve been on one of our tours and seen it all before then think again as this is next level access! Those lucky enough to get hold of one of these exclusive tickets will get to taste juice from rare and unknown apple varieties and small batch ciders that may never see the light of day. They’ll discover the flavours of ciders as they mature and find out what the cider makers are looking for when they are creating new cider blends. They’ll also get a chance to chat to Barny and the cider makers and pick their brains on all things cider, whilst enjoying a delicious cheese and charcuterie platter. There are only a very limited number of tickets available for this specialist tour so if you want a deep dive into Sandford Orchards’ cellars book your ticket here. If you can’t join us then try and join one of the other events and help us all share the love of cider.
