Skip to content

Home ❯ Get involved ❯ Events ❯ Tour and Tastings, at The Orchard, Chalmington

Tour and Tastings, at The Orchard, Chalmington

Photo of The Orchard with the apple trees in blossom and the shepherd's hut in the distance, taken May 2023
Linda Williams

Tour and Tastings, at The Orchard, Chalmington,
on Saturday, 18th May 2024, 10:50 for 11:00am  *** Fully booked ***

This year Shaun Leavey has arranged a visit to a farm very different from the two large farms we visited in 2022 and 2023.

The Orchard is a small farm specializing in cider apple production where the viability of the holding has been dependent on various forms of diversification – shepherd’s huts for holiday let within the orchard, a small farm shop (with limited opening times), and its own award winning Dorset Star cider to drink on site or buy.

The owner also has a small rare breed Berkshire pig enterprise producing free range pork. Very unusually the whole site (including the farmer’s family eco-house) is off-grid. Solar panels and firewood are important sources of energy – Dorset CPRE has been actively promoting rooftop solar for some years.

It is an opportunity for members to learn about the reality of trying to run a small fruit farm producing a low value crop. The orchard will be in full blossom in May.

What to bring for the walk?
The escorted tour will take around 30 minutes and will require stout walking shoes as the Orchard is on a slop. If inclement weather is predicted, please dress appropriately.

How to book
We hope very much that you will be able to come, the numbers are limited to 30. Dorset CPRE is extremely grateful to Dan Green for kindly agreeing to host this visit on Saturday morning, 18th May. There is no charge for the Tour. *** Fully booked ***

We encourage members to car share where possible.

Subscribe to Dorset CPRE's newsletter

We’ll send you the latest news and information on our work, campaigns, fundraising, events and other ways you can support our vision for a thriving countryside.

We hold and manage your details in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018. We won’t share, sell or swap your information with other organisations for their own marketing purposes. You can read our Privacy Policy page for more information.