Chiltern Heritage Orchards
Organic Heritage Fruits
Grown Sustainably
About
We are an organic regenerative fruit orchard in the Chiltern Hills, UK.
We grow and promote heritage varieties, many of which are not grown commercially anywhere else in the UK.
Bring back the flavour! Over the past 200 years many species of fruit tree have almost disappeared. We want to change that. We're on a mission to bring back tasty, versatile and interesting varieties like Bishop's Thumb, Lewis's Incomparable, Howgate Wonder and Green Pear of Yair among many, many others. We grow these and over 200 other varieties of fruit.
We utilise 3 simple principles:
Firstly, historical knowledge of reliable cultivars and growing requirements.
Secondly, organic and regenerative growing techniques which produce highly
flavoured, nutritious and pesticide-free crops.
Thirdly, using diverse ecological environmental practices to support the crop
through beneficial insects, birds and bats.
We are still a relatively young orchard so we don't yet have our full range of fruits in high volume. At the moment we sell only to restaurants and have partnered with some of the best in the Chilterns.
As part of our mission to promote the benefits of these varieties, we produce regular videos, including tips, resources and updates. Perhaps you'll be inspired to bring back the flavour!
Our Fruits
Organic and Regenerative for Better Flavour, Nutrition and Sustainability
Apples
We grow over 100 varieties of heritage apples, including specialist desert, cooking, juicing and cider apples.
Pears
We grow over 20 varieties of heritage pears, including desert, cooking and perry pears.
Damsons & Plums
We grow a wide range of heritage plums and damsons suited to eating fresh, cooking or preserving.
Cherries
We grow over a dozen varieties.
Greengages
We grow a selection of long forgotten varieties.
Medlars
We grow a handful of varieties including one which is exclusive to us.
Bullace
An almost forgotten fruit, we grow a selection of unusual bullaces.
Rhubarb
We have a wide selection of mainly heritage rhubarb.
Azeroles
Rarely found in the UK we have a selection of unusual azeroles.
Our Helpers
Promoting Wildlife for Ecosystem Health