Apple Varieties of Gloucestershire

Discovering Gloucestershire's Apple Heritage

Gloucestershire has a rich heritage of apple varieties, from dessert apples eaten fresh to culinary apples for cooking and cider apples for traditional cider making. Many of these varieties originated in the county or have been grown here for centuries.

Native Apples of Gloucestershire

Several apple varieties are native to or closely associated with Gloucestershire. These include both well-known varieties and rare heritage apples that we are working to preserve.

Download our comprehensive guide: Native Apples of Gloucestershire (PDF)

Types of Apples

Dessert Apples - Sweet, crisp apples perfect for eating fresh

Culinary Apples - Cooking apples that break down when heated, ideal for pies and sauces

Cider Apples - High tannin varieties used for traditional cider making

Dual Purpose - Versatile varieties suitable for multiple uses

Featured Gloucestershire Apple Varieties

Explore some of Gloucestershire's most important apple varieties:

Characteristics to Look For

When identifying apple varieties, consider:

• Size and shape of the fruit
• Skin color and texture
• Flesh color and texture
• Taste - sweet, sharp, aromatic
• Season of ripening
• Tree growth habit

Growing Heritage Apples

Heritage apple varieties are well-suited to Gloucestershire's climate and soils. Many are hardy, disease-resistant, and require less intervention than modern varieties.

If you're interested in planting heritage apple varieties, GOT can provide advice on suitable varieties for your location and intended use.

Apple Identification Service

Found an unknown apple tree in your garden or local orchard? We may be able to help identify it. Visit our Identification page for more information.