National Fruit Collection

The National Fruit Collection is a working orchard spanning extensive grounds filled with thousands of fruit tree and bush varieties across different species. The plants are arranged to allow visitors to explore the wide range of cultivars and discover how diverse fruit production can be.

The collection was established at this location in 1952 as a way to preserve fruit varieties for the future. It grew into an important center for safeguarding agricultural knowledge about fruit production.

The orchard reflects a long tradition of fruit growing in British agriculture, with varieties that shaped regional food practices over centuries. Walking through the grounds, visitors sense how fruit cultivation became woven into local life and identity.

Plan to spend several hours walking through the grounds if you want to see a meaningful selection of the varieties. Wear comfortable shoes as the terrain is extensive and best explored on foot at your own pace.

Each fruit variety is planted twice across the grounds to safeguard against loss from disease or weather damage to a single specimen. This thoughtful insurance system means no cultivar is at risk of disappearing due to a single accident.