All About Cambridgeshire
Full growing history
Large scale commercial fruit growing started in Cambridgeshire in the mid-1800s with plantings around Wisbech spreading across the county until the mid-twentieth century. Plantings were located around Wisbech in the north, where apples and pears grow on land reclaimed from the sea many centuries ago, and around the villages between Cambridge, Ely and St.Ives, where apples as well as plums are grown on sandy and clay soils. There are also a few orchards south of Cambridge around Meldreth. Many of the orchards were planted in response to the developing rail network, enabling large volumes of fruit to be transported rapidly to jam manufacturers and wholesale markets in the North, the Midlands and London. Some of the fruit was canned locally in specially built factories and exported by ship through Wisbech town docks. The orchards once employed a great many people, cultivating and harvesting the crop, as well as processing and transporting the produce to markets.In 1873 John Chivers opened a jam-making factory at Histon, near Cambridge that used the produce from his extensive orchards. At nearby Dry Drayton the Chivers family planted plum orchards around 1900, and apple, pear and plum orchards were also developed around nearby Willingham and Cottenham. The Chivers family also developed several apples for their own use, including Chivers Delight, Histon Favourite and the lost variety Histon Cropper, as well as the Cambridge Gage. This jam-making factory has now closed.
There is still significant fruit production in the county, but new plantings are very different, using dwarf rootstocks at very high densities to produce a narrow range of varieties to meet supermarket standards.
The area of orchards in the county is now around 20% of what it was in 1950 and the surviving extensive orchards are still being lost to redevelopment for housing or paddocks, by neglect, and by conversion to arable land. As the county only has around 2% woodland cover the loss of these orchards continues to have a dramatic effect on the appearance of the landscape as well as a detrimental effect on its biodiversity.
Local fruit varieties
Twenty one apple varieties have their origins in Cambridgeshire, and just 3 plums, while there are over 20 currently lost varieties. Several varieties were introduced by commercial growers, whilst others were developed in the gardens of country estates or by individuals.
Apples – dessert varieties
Barnack Beauty
Barnack 1840
Pick mid Oct. Use Dec – Mar
Pollination group D
A long keeping eating apple raised at Barnack. Introduced by Brown’s Nurseries of Stamford in about 1870. Received RHS awards in 1899 and 1909. Medium-sized and slightly oblong with an orange-brown flush. Attractive blossom. A sweet and complex-tasting apple. Has good resistance to scab.
Barton
Histon area pre1946
Pick mid/late Sept. Use Sept-Nov
Pollination group C
Medium sized with a greenish yellow skin and a few pale red stripes. Slightly ribbed in shape with crisp, sweet flesh. Recovered in 2008 from a tree at Girton labelled as ‘Barton’ and dating from 1930s. An abundant cropper.
Chiver’s Delight
Histon 1920
Pick mid Oct. Use Nov – Jan
Pollination group C
Raised by Stephen Chivers of Histon. A medium to large sized dull green skinned apple that is occasionally flushed golden orange-brown. Aromatic with crisp flesh. Has good resistance to scab.
Cockett’s Red
Wisbech pre1910
Pick mid Oct. Use Nov – Jan/Feb
Pollination group D
A small red long-keeping variety once popular around Wisbech. Also known in the past as ‘Marguerite Henrietta’ and locally as ‘One Bite’. Grown mainly for use by toffee apple manufacturers in the north of England. Very sharp when first picked but mellows after storage.
Histon Favourite
Histon mid1800s
Pick late Sept. Use Oct – Dec
Pollination group C
Raised by John Chivers of Histon. Medium to large in size. Pale yellow skinned with a pink flush and occasional pink stripes. Has light golden russet around its stalk. Skin becomes greasy when stored. Sharp and crisp when picked, mellowing in storage.
Lady Hollendale
Place of origin unknown pre1920
Pick Aug. Use Aug
Pollination group A
Probably arose in the Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire or Norfolk Fens since it was being grown for the Wisbech fruit markets in the 1920-30s. An early season crisp and juicy red flushed apple, best eaten in August soon after picking.
Lord Burghley
Burghley House 1834
Pick end Oct. Use Jan – Apr
Pollination group E
Found growing as a seedling at Burghley House, near Stamford, where rescued by the Head Gardener, Mr. Matheson. First fruited in about 1834 and introduced by a Peterborough nurseryman. It became a popular gardeners’ choice. Received an RHS award in 1865 for its long keeping qualities. Sweet tasting.
Lord Peckover
Wisbech pre1926
Pick Aug. Use Aug
Pollination group B
Arose at Peckover House gardens in Wisbech. Red flushed and can be large in size. Delicate skin with a white bloom. Resembles a large peach. A very early dessert variety, best eaten in August.
New Rock Pippin
Cambridge 1821
Pick mid Oct. Use Jan – Mar/May
Pollination group C
Raised by William Pleasance in the Barnwell area of Cambridge. A medium sized, lightly russetted variety with an intense spice-like flavour coupled with excellent keeping qualities.
Perfection
Bluntisham c.1960
pick mid Oct. Use Oct – Nov
Pollination group C
Raised by Seabrook & Sons of Boreham, Essex, for Eric Wallis of Bluntisham, by crossing the varieties Cox’s Orange Pippin and Worcester Pearmain. A medium to large sized yellow skinned apple flushed bright red. Has crisp, very juicy flesh.
St. Everard
Papworth Everard pre1900
Pick early Sept. Use Sept
Pollination group C
Propagated at Papworth Everard Hall by the Head Gardener Mr.Terry, by crossing the varieties Margil and Cox’s Orange Pippin. Introduced by Veitch’s Nurseries, London, in 1910. Small to medium in size. Distinctly flushed dark red with an aromatic taste. It is partially self-fertile so will set some fruit by itself. Having another same or different apple variety with the same or adjacent pollination group nearby will help cropping.
Thoday’s Quarrenden
Willingham 1949
Pick early Oct. Use Nov – Feb
Pollination group C
Discovered growing at Willingham by nurseryman Ralph Thoday. It is probably a seedling of the UK dessert variety Devonshire Quarrenden. Medium sized, and very attractive with bright scarlet coloured skin. It will keep until February
Wayside
Cambridge 1930
Pick late Sept. Use Oct – Nov
Pollination group C
A seedling of the variety Charles Ross. Raised by Miss Cunningham of ‘Wayside’, Huntingdon Road, Cambridge. A medium to large green apple flushed dark red and with some scruffy russet. Has distinctive fruity-tasting crisp flesh.
Apples – dual purpose varieties
Green Harvey
Place of origin unknown 1813
Pick late Oct. Use Dec – Feb/Apr
Pollination group D
A long-keeping green-skinned variety. The sample in the National Fruit Collection was received from Cambridgeshire in 1930. Coarse fleshed so keeps shape quite well when cooked and needs little sugar.
Huntingdon Codlin
Huntingdon 1883
Pick early Sept. Use Sept – Oct
Pollination group C
Introduced by nurseryman Wood and Ingram, nurserymen of Huntingdon. Pale yellow skinned with a few red stripes. Soft and juicy cream coloured flesh. Not very acidic and will cook to a frothy puree. It is a triploid variety so requires another two different apple varieties nearby for successful pollination.
Apples – culinary varieties
Cottenham Seedling
Cottenham 1923
Pick mid Oct. Use Nov – Mar
Pollination group E
Raised by Robert Norman of Cottenham. The UK variety Dumelow’s Seedling is one of its parents. A long keeping cooking apple once popular with gardeners and commercial growers around Cambridge. Has a delicate pale yellow, slightly greasy skin.
James Kirk
Wisbech pre1905
Pick late October. Use Nov-Jan
Pollination group D
A late season medium-sized green cooking apple with some red striping. Exhibited by Cross’s Nursery of Wisbech in 1905, when it received an RHS Award of Merit.
Jolly Miller
Cottenham 1883
Pick late Sept. Use Sept – Oct
Pollination group C
Once popular in the Cottenham area. Possibly named after a Cottenham public house where fruit was traded. Medium sized and tall with some ribs. Has a greasy yellowish green skin, with a reddish flush and broken red stripes. Moderately acidic.
Morley’s Seedling
Fordham pre1928
Pick mid Oct. Use Nov – Jan/Mar
Pollination group D
A late keeping apple raised by Charles Morley of Fordham by crossing the UK varieties Alfriston and Lane’s Prince Albert. Can be large in size, with a green coloured skin and occasionally a dull brown flush. Keeps shape well when cooked.
Murfitt’s Seedling
Histon area 1883
Pick mid Oct. Use Oct – Dec/Jan
Pollination group D
Once popular in the Cottenham and Histon areas. Large and angular with a dull green skin and an occasional reddish flush. Holds shape well when cooked and needs virtually no sugar.
Red Victoria
Wisbech 1884
Pick late Aug. Use Aug-Sept
Pollination group C
An early season sharp cooking apple best picked and used in August. It was found growing near Wisbech, presumably as a seedling, and introduced by Messrs. Miller of Wisbech in 1908. When fully ripe it resembles a large dark red skinned tomato.
Pears – dessert varieties
Swan’s Egg pear
Somersham pre 1900
Pick mid/late Sept. Use Sept – Oct
Pollination group C
From trees planted in the 1890s and believed to be ‘Stilton’s Swan’s Egg pear’ as recorded in 1933 in Somersham. Medium sized with greenish yellow skin, flushed orange with some russet. Firm, sweet flesh.
Plums – dessert varieties
Cambridge Gage
Histon pre1927
Pick and use mid/ late Aug
Pollination group C
A greenish yellow skinned gage that is probably a seedling of the Green Gage. Larger in size and better cropping than Green Gage. Soft and juicy flesh. Extremely sweet to taste. It is partially self-fertile so will set some fruit by itself. Having another same or different plum variety with the same or adjacent pollination group nearby will help cropping. (But not Green Gage or any of its seedling offspring)
Wallis’s Wonder
Bluntisham c.1960
Pick and use mid/late Sept.
Pollination group B
Raised by Simpsons’ Nursery, Fordham, for Eric Wallis of Bluntisham, by crossing the varieties Victoria and Severn Cross. A medium to large reddish-purple flushed plum with sweet, soft, juicy flesh.
Willingham Gage
Willingham 1800s
Pick and use mid/late August
Pollination group C
Arose at Willingham, probably as a seedling of a Green Gage. Selected by the RHS for its good cropping and excellent fruit quality. Similar in appearance but larger than Green Gage. Sweet and juicy to taste.
Lost fruit varieties
There are more than 20 named apple varieties documented as having Cambridgeshire origins. Some of these ‘lost’ varieties were last recorded just over fifty years ago, so it’s quite likely that old trees still survive. Do you recognise any of these names? If you do please let us know.
Burghley House
Richard Gilbert
In existence 1934, first described in 1883. Attributed to Richard Gilbert HG at Burghley House.
Arnold’s Wothorpe Pippin
Exhibited 1883 by Richard Gilbert, HG Burghley House, Shape: large. Shape: conical and angular. Skin: green. Flesh: hard. Flavour: acidic. Season: late.
Cambridge
Haggerstone Pippin
A late season dessert apple raised by Mr. Haggerstone in about 1805 from the seed of an American apple variety.
Chatteris
Mrs. Ward
In existence 1884. First recorded 1872. Scarlet Nonpareil x ?. Raised by Lawrence, nurseryman, Chatteris. Size: small. Shape: intermediate, truncate-conic, convex, not ribbed. Skin: yellow or orange, flushed deep scarlet, occasional russet patches. Flesh: firm, pale yellow. Flavour: sub-acid. Season: mid – very late.
Cottenham area
John Norman
Last recorded 1946. Similar in shape to the Berkshire variety Charles Ross but duller in colour. Eye more open with long sepals and a thick short stalk.
Queenholme Seedling
Exhibited 1898 at the RHS from Cottenham (only record). Size: medium. Shape: rectangular to truncate-conic, convex, ribbed. Skin: pale greenish yellow, flushed pale red. Flesh: dry. Season: very late.
Histon area
Colwell
Grown locally and only mentioned once by name in 1936. No full description.
Histon Cropper
First described in 1919 and raised by John Chivers of Histon. Last recorded in 1947. Size: large. Shape: conic, convex, not ribbed. Skin: green flushed red. Season: mid.
Huntingdon
Woodley’s Favourite
Exhibited in 1888 at RHS from Huntingdon. First recorded 1883. Size: large. Shape: intermediate, rectangular, convex, ribbed. Skin: greenish yellow. Season: mid.
Peterborough area
Jenny Brewster
Exhibited at RHS in 1894 (only record). Possibly raised by Rev. Brewster.
Orton Favourite
Exhibited in 1894 at RHS from Orton Longueville (only record). Size: large. Skin: red. Season: early – mid.
Paston
Exhibited in1905 at RHS (only record) from Peterborough. Season: mid.
Leyden Pippin
Exhibited in 1883 at RHS (only record) from Peterborough. Size: medium. Shape: conic, ribbed on body. Skin: green flushed with bronze. Flavour: sweet.
Scarlet Russet
Exhibited in1883 at RHS from Orton Hall near Peterborough. First recorded 1831. Size: small. Shape: conical. Skin: yellow with russet, flushed red. Flesh: firm. Flavour: sweet. Season: mid.
Triumph
Exhibited in 1904 at RHS (only record) from Peterborough.
Wadlow Pride
Exhibited 1902 (only record). Season: mid.
Pinder’s Seedling
Exhibited in 1900 at RHS (only record). Season: mid.
Wisbech area
Lord Kitchener
Exhibited in 1899 at RHS from Wisbech (only record). Size: large. Season: early.
Scarlet Beauty
Exhibited in 1906 at RHS from Wisbech (only record). No description.
Cambridgeshire – place of origin unknown
Turbanks
Exhibited 1883 at RHS from Cambridgeshire (only record). No description.
Community orchards
These can range in size from just a dozen trees to more than a hundred and they are usually on sites open to the public all year round. They may include plantings of local fruit varieties, some with historic associations with the location, and most are managed primarily for their public amenity value and for the benefit of local wildlife. For more details contact the Parish/Town/City Councils.
Alconbury
Barrington
Barton
Burwell
Cambridge Midsummer Common
Cambridge Vinery Road
Cambridge Milton Country Park
Chatteris
Coton
Coveney
Ely Country Park
Fordham
Gamlingay
Girton
Great Cambourne
Great Chesterford
Great Gidding
Great Gransden
Great Shelford
Godmanchester
Haddenham
Hadstock
Harston
Heydon
Hinchingbroke Country Park
Histon & Impington
Horningsea
Ickleton
Isleham
Landbeach
Little Downham
Little Eversden
Little Paxton
Littleport
Little Thetford
Lode
Lolworth
Longstowe
Manea
Mepal
Oakington
Orwell
Peakirk
Rampton
Ramsey
Reach
Sawston
Shepreth
Somersham
St. Ives
Stretham
Sutton in the Isle
Swavesey
Toft
Trumpington
Warboys
Waterbeach
Welney
Wicken
Whittlesford
Wilburton
Willingham
Witchford
Orchards to visit
Stamford, PE9 3JY
01780 752451
Large walled kitchen garden undergoing restoration and replanted with a mixture of fruit trees, including local varieties. Most of the trees are formally trained.
Open most of the year. Admission fee. www.burghley.co.uk
Grantchester, CB3 9ND
01223 840230
A tearoom opened in 1897 by university students and now a popular café / restaurant and event venue. The setting is a former commercial orchard with many veteran fruit trees, especially pears. Interesting heritage varieties have been planted as old trees die off.
Open all year. Free entry. www.theorchardteagarden.co.ukWillock Farm Orchards
Wisbech St. Mary, PE13 4UB
07714 098943
22 acres of old fenland orchard containing numerous old varieties of apple, pear and plum, many of them local ones. Waymarked footpaths take visitors around the site.
Open all year. Free entry. www.willockfarm.co.ukWimpole Hall
Arrington, SG8 0BW
01223 206000
Large kitchen walled garden with espalier and fan trained fruit trees surrounded by a walled orchard of free-standing trees. With some local varieties. The garden’s restoration started in the 1990s and is ongoing.
Open all year. Admission fee. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wimpole-estate
Local producers
Run a box scheme of organic box scheme using locally sourced produce. This includes apples from a private orchard at Risby, Bury St. Edmunds in Suffolk, which was converted to organic status in 1988. www.cofc.co.uk
Meldreth, SG8 6LZ
01763 262906
Grows 31 plum, around 50 apple,14 pear and 4 varieties. Produces 14 single variety apple juices, cider and perry, and various preserves. Seasonal farm shop.
Contact for details of stockists. www.camvalleyorchards.weebly.com
Wisbech, PE13 4UN
01945 585707
Produces around 20 single variety apple juices and 10 cider varieties.
They use fruit from their own orchards and other local ones.
Contact for details of stockists. www.watergullorchards.co.uk