Sunday 5th and Monday 6th May 2024
A special springtime opportunity to enjoy the lovely countryside and orchards of the Marcle Ridge in Herefordshire, where local orchards are famous both for their cider fruit and their dessert and culinary fruit. This is normally the peak of the blossom season so the trees can look spectacular.
This year Blossomtime has expanded to three venues:
Putley Parish Hall (car parking, tickets, information, guided walks, refreshment and Sunday evening entertainment),
Court Farm Barn (crafts, talks and a variety of rural activities) and
Dragon Orchard (cider and perry tasting, sales and daytime entertainment).
Blossomtime Venues
First head for Putley Parish Hall where there is car parking. Putley Parish Hall is the Information Hub where you can buy entrance tickets (£5 for adults, children under 16 free, valid for all three venues and activities for the day), pick up leaflets and start walks. The Hall is also the centre for refreshments.
Car parking
We have the use of a large field for car parking behind Putley Parish Hall. If you come by car please park here as car parking is not available at Dragon Orchard or Court Farm Barn, except for Blue Badge holders where there will be a few spaces. Important note for car drivers: the tractor and trailer service will be operating in an anti-clockwise direction between venues so we advise you also follow the same direction when arriving or leaving to avoid meeting it head-on in the narrow lanes – see map and follow signing on the day.
Tickets
These can be purchased at the hall from 10.45am on both days. The tickets cost £5 for adults, accompanied children under 16 are free. The ticket gives you access to all three venues for the day and includes all walks, cider and perry tasting at Dragon Orchard and talks and other activities at Court Farm Barn. Cash is preferred as internet reception for our card machine can be erratic.
Getting between venues
All venues are within easy walking distance of each other (allow 15 minutes) but there is also a free tractor and passenger trailer service running between all three venues from 11am to 5pm – see map.
Putley Parish Hall
Court Farm Barn
Dragon Orchard
Round and about over the weekend
Trumpet Corner (HR8 2RA) Tea room offering light lunches and afternoons teas alongside gallery showcasing work of guest artists (01531 670082). 10am – 4pm ///clouding.anchorman.school
The Nest, Little Verzons (HR8 2PZ) Relaxed family friendly café, local deli and much more (01531 670816) – plus next door Newent Plant Centre (01531 670121). 9am – 5pm (10am – 4pm Sun). ///earpiece.celebrate.waters
Westons Cider Mill, Much Marcle (HR8 2NQ). Guided mill tours (charge applies) at 11am, 12.30pm, 2pm, 3.30pm. Cider Shop, Tea room, Children’s Play Area. 9am – 5pm (10am-5pm Sun) ///carver.kiosk.tummy
Nearby pubs
Trumpet Crossroads
Trumpet Inn ///porch.aimed.unhappily. Under new management and has recently reopened.
Woolhope
Butchers Arms (daytime only Sun) ///employers.scooped.october
Crown Inn ///edits.kind.carbonate
Much Marcle
Royal Oak ///baker.debut.lifters,
Walwyn Arms ///tweed.majoring.sliders,
Scrumpy House Restaurant ///carver.kiosk.tummy,
Slip Tavern (daytime only Sun) ///coverage.negotiators.homes.
Payments
While card readers have become much more common, we are still unable to take card payments at some locations. Cash is always acceptable. The nearest 24 hour ATMs are in Ledbury (Tesco and the Co-op).
Locations
For each location there is a What3Words link (prefixed ///). Click on this to show you the entrance to the location from the public road.
Dogs
Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome in most places. Sometimes a walk may be designated as a wildlife walk, in which case no dogs please as these disturb the wildlife. Also, no dogs (except assistance dogs) will be allowed in Putley Parish Hall.