BBC Radio Surrey reporter, Clare Dutton braved the rain to interview our Chairman, Simon Whalley, up in our beautiful cider apple orchard which is nestled in the heart of the Surrey Hills National Landscape, here at the Birtley Estate.

Cider Apple Orchard

We’ve been making cider at the Birtley Estate since 2015 and produce from six different varieties of cider apples; they taste very sweet this year and we’ve had an abundant harvest. The apple orchard is planted with around 700 trees and a range of cider apple varieties including Dabinett, Morgan’s Sweet, Brown’s Apple, Michelin, and Harry Master’s Jersey. Each variety brings different characteristics to the blend – sweetness, acidity, body, tannin, colour.

Beorc Leah Brandy

The apples convert beautifully into our award winning Beorc Leah apple brandy.  The cider is fermented into our apple spirit is then matured for at least two years in small European oak barrels to give that characteristic warm vanilla note on the palate. This year we plan to branch out into producing cider apple vinegar and even apple wine in addition to the brandy.

Community Engagement

Community engagement is an important commitment here at Birtley House Care Home and the Birtley Estate.  We’ve been working closely with one of our partner charities halow, based in Guildford, who support people with learning disabilities and autism, for several years now.  Apple Day is traditionally a community picking day, so despite the rain, in true community spirit, the team of from halow had a fun time helping our gardening team do a final pick of the bumper harvest.

To listen to the Interview click on the BBC Sounds link below, our interview is 1:25:00 into the show – fast forward to listen!

James Cannon – 21/10/2025 – BBC Sounds

Link to the Article

Read the article from the BBC Wesbite Young adults from charity help with Bramley harvest – BBC News