All About Norfolk

There are 41 apple varieties which originate from Norfolk, 2 pears and 10 cherries. The county includes in its list the earliest recorded variety from the whole region, Five Crowned Pippin, which dates from the 1500s. Its most famous variety may be the Norfolk Beefing, recorded in 1698 and made famous in Victorian times as a Christmas treat when made into Biffins. Varieties still popular today include Adams Pearmain, Norfolk Royal and Golden Noble. At least another 40 varieties are considered lost.

Apples – dessert varieties

Admiral          
Upton 1921
Pick early Oct. Use Nov – Dec
Pollination group D
Propagated at Upton from pips brought back from Japan by Mr. A.Watson. Originally called ‘Togo of Upton’ but renamed ‘Admiral’ around 1940. Once grown commercially on a small scale in the Broads where it was sold as ‘Gloria’. Medium to large in size, mostly green in colour, sometimes with an orange flush. Firm and sweet flesh.

Banns
Burgh St. Peter 1928
Pick mid Sept.  Use Sept – Oct
Pollination group D
Arose at Burgh St. Peter near Haddiscoe in south east Norfolk. Medium to large sized, round and yellow-skinned with a complex taste reminiscent of elderflowers.

Blofield Russet                       
Blofield c.1998
Pick mid Sept.  Use Sept – Oct
Pollination group B
A naturally occurring russet sport of the Kentish variety Greensleeves. It was discovered in the late 1990s in the orchards of Michael Andrews at Blofield near Norwich.  A medium sized russet apple with a more complex flavour and juicier flesh than Greensleeves.

Caroline
Blickling Hall 1822
Pick mid Sept.  Use Oct – Jan
Pollination group D
Arose at Blickling Hall gardens, near Aylsham, and named after the then Lord Suffield’s wife. A long-keeping green apple flushed with pink. Crisp and firm fleshed.

Early Nonpareil                       
Caister-on-Sea 1780
Pick late Sept.  Use Oct-Nov
Pollination group C
Raised by Mr. Stagg of from a seed of the C17th French variety Nonpareil.  Small, round, with a green skin turning deep yellow with a little russet around the stalk. Juicy, aromatic flesh.

Happisburgh
Happisburgh pre 1925
Pick early Sept.  Use Sept
Pollination group B
Discovered in 1925 growing as a chance seedling in the village of Happisburgh by Henry Goude, of North Burlingham Horticultural Station.  A small early season yellow skinned nonpareil type apple. Slightly sharp in flavour.

Harling Hero                           
Harling 1914
Pick mid Oct.  Use Dec – Feb
Pollination group E
Arose at East Harling, near Attleborough sometime around 1914. Raised or discovered as a chance seedling by Frank Claxton, a local game dealer. In the 1920s Daniels Bros, the Norwich nurserymen, began marketing the apple locally.  Large, handsome yellow-skinned apple almost totally flushed red. Soft, sweet, juicy flesh.

Horsford Prolific                    
Horsford 1900
Pick mid Oct.  Use Dec – Mar
Pollination group E
Arose in the garden of the Rev. Mountford at Horsford, near Norwich. Grown commercially on a small scale locally and sometimes sold under the name ‘Queen Anne’.   A very attractive apple.  Medium to large. Yellow skinned with a bright orangey-red flush.  Some broken red stripes. Flesh is sweet, crisp and juicy. Has good scab resistance.

Hubbard’s Pearmain
Catton 1796
Pick early Oct.  Use Nov – Feb
Pollination group C
First sold by George Lindley, nurseryman, of Catton near Norwich. In C19th Norfolk it was a very popular gardeners’ choice and its flavour was considered unsurpassable. Small to medium sized and pearmain-shaped. Green skinned with a lot of russeting and with an occasional orange flush. Sweet, rich and complex flavour. Has good scab resistance.

London Pearmain
Place of origin unknown 1842
Pick late Sept.  Use Oct – Nov
Pollination group D
Rediscovered growing at Attleborough Hall in 1948.   Markedly pearmain-shaped and with a sweet-sharp flavour. Can be quite large. The skin is yellowish green with a flush of bright orange and some faint red stripes.

Look East
Yaxham 1971
Pick mid Oct.  Use Nov – Jan
Pollination group D
Raised by Ormonde Knight at Yaxham by crossing Cox’s Orange Pippin with Blenheim Orange and named after the BBC regional news programme.  Trees were first sold commercially in the 1990s by Ranworth Trees Nursery in Norfolk.  Medium-sized and Cox-like in appearance but with a darker red flush. A long-keeper. Complex, Cox-like flavour and firm fleshed.

Lynn’s Pippin             
Emneth 1942
Pick mid Sept.  Use Sept – Oct
Pollination group D
Bred by William Lynn of Emneth by crossing Cox’s Orange Pippin with Ellison’s Orange and named in 1952.  A large, attractive yellowish-green skinned apple with delicate red stripes and a complex flavour

New Costessey Seedling
New Costessey 1926
Pick early Oct.  Use Oct – Jan
Pollination group D
Arose from a pip planted by George Fayers at New Costessey, near Norwich. This may have been from the variety Lord Lambourne (Beds 1907). Shown in local horticultural events for many years.  Medium-sized greenish yellow skinned with a deep red flush and occasional russet scattered over the surface. Cream-coloured sweet crisp flesh. Was introduced in the 1990s by Ranworth Trees Nurseries, near Norwich.

Norfolk Royal
North Walsham 1908
Pick early Sept.  Use Sept – Dec
Pollination group D
Discovered growing as a chance seedling at Wright’s Nursery in North Walsham in 1908 but only named and introduced in about 1930. Once widely grown in East Anglia and still a popular exhibition apple. Medium to large in size and almost totally flushed bright red. Very crisp and juicy.  Unusually greasy skin. Has good scab and mildew resistance.

Norfolk Royal Russet
Burnham Overy Staithe 1983
Pick early Sept.  Use Oct – Jan
Pollination group D
A russeted sport of Norfolk Royal, discovered growing in the garden of Rev. C. Wright at Burnham Overy Staithe. It was first introduced by Highfields Nursery of Gloucester in 1983. A complex ‘nutty’ tasting russet, it has become a popular gardeners’ choice and with farm shops in East Anglia. Has good scab and mildew resistance.

Norwich Pippin                       
Norwich 1906
Pick mid Oct.  Use Oct – Mar
Pollination group C
Raised by Daniels Bros, nurserymen of Norwich and listed in their catalogues between 1906 and 1915. Rediscovered around 2005. Resembles Cox’s Orange Pippin but is much more highly coloured with a maroon flush and occasional orange stripes. Complex and slightly aromatic in flavour it is an excellent long keeping dessert variety.

Pine Apple Russet
Place of origin unknown 1730
Pick mid Sept.  Use Sept – Nov
Pollination group D
Known in Norfolk since the early 1700s, and popular across East Anglia in the 1800s. Medium to large in size and usually half covered in a thin golden russet. Mainly yellow skinned sometimes with a rose-pink flush. Slightly acidic and coarse flesh tasting a little like pineapple.

Red Ellison
Walpole St. Peter 1948
Pick mid Sept.  Use Sept – Oct
Pollination group D
A more highly coloured red sport of Ellison’s Orange (Lincs 1904), discovered growing in the Fenland orchards of Harold Selby at Walpole St. Peter. Medium sized, sweet and slightly aromatic in flavour. Very good scab and mildew resistance. 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.

Red Falstaff
Ashill 1989
Pick early Oct.  Use Oct – Dec
Pollination group C
A more highly coloured red sport of the variety Falstaff (Kent 1965) found growing at Woodlands Orchard, in Ashill near Swaffham, by Michael Rowe. It was introduced in 1995 by Matthews’ Nurseries of Worcestershire.  It is one of the heaviest cropping apples available and is recommended for organic growers. Medium to large. Almost totally flushed bright red. Sweet, juicy and crisp flesh. Has good mildew resistance.

St. Magdalen
Wiggenhall St. Mary Magdalen 1890
Pick early Oct.  Use Oct – Dec
Pollination group D
Discovered growing at Wiggenhall St. Mary Magdalen near Downham Market in the orchards of Mr. H. Bridge. Medium sized and quite Cox-like in flavour but more highly coloured. Has good scab resistance.

Sandringham                         
Sandingham House 1883
Pick mid Oct.  Use Nov – Feb
Pollination group E
Raised by Mr. Penny, Head Gardener at Sandringham House, near King’s Lynn, and first exhibited at the National Apple Congress in 1883. It is believed to be a seedling of the UK variety Winter Pearmain and was first sold by Veitch’s of London. It became a popular variety for gardens.  A large green-skinned apple with some red stripes. Keeps well and mellows with storage. Sweet and firm fleshed.

Apples – dual purpose varieties

Adams Pearmain                    
Place of origin unknown pre 1826
Pick early Oct.  Use Nov – Mar
Pollination group C
Either arose in Norfolk or Herefordshire (where called ‘Hanging Pearmain’). In 1826 Robert Adams sent a scion of ‘Norfolk Pippin’ to the Horticultural Society in London. It was later marketed commercially as ‘Adams Pearmain’ and became an essential fruit for many Victorian and Edwardian gardens. A medium sized pearmain-shaped apple with a bright orange-red flush and russet. Complex nutty, aromatic, sweet flavour. Has good scab resistance

Captain Palmer
Gissing 1900
Pick mid Oct.  Use Nov – Jan
Pollination group D
Arose as a chance seedling at Gissing, near Diss, and grown locally on a small scale in the early to mid C20th. Re-introduced around 2000 by Ranworth trees nursery, near Norwich. Medium-sized. Smooth, yellowish-green skin with an occasional dull orangey-red flush.  Sharp, crisp flesh which mellows with storage. Has good scab resistance.

Dutch Mignonne
Catton 1771
Pick early Oct.  Use Nov – Mar
Pollination group C
Introduced to the UK by Thomas Harvey of Catton Hall, near Norwich, probably from Holland, and first listed by George Lindley, nurseryman of Catton, Norwich.  A popular Victorian garden apple, it is a medium-sized dull green-skinned apple with a little russeting and orange flush. Not unlike a Blenheim Orange in flavour. Cooks to a stiff sweet puree.

Green Roland
Place of origin unknown pre 1945
Pick early Oct.  Use Oct-Nov
Pollination group D
Believed to have arisen in east Norfolk as was widely grown there by mid 1900s. Also known locally as Norfolk Green Queen. Medium to large sized, with a smooth yellowish-green skin and an occasional dull pinkish-brown flush.  Slightly acidic crisp flesh.

Herbert Eastoe
New Costessey 1948
Pick early Oct.  Use Oct – Jan
Pollination group C
Raised at New Costessey, near Norwich, by Herbert Eastoe, from a seed taken from an unknown UK apple variety. Medium to large. Smooth greenish-yellow skin.  Stores well. Firm and not too acidic.  Keeps shape well when cooked. 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.

Hunter’s Majestic
Upwell pre1914
Pick mid Sept.  Use Sept – Dec
Pollination group C
Raised sometime before 1914 by Miss E. Balding at Upwell, near Wisbech, probably from a seed of a Worcester Pearmain apple. Grown on a small scale commercially in the Fens during the 1930s by the Hunter-Rowe family. Large attractive red-flushed and striped yellow-skinned apple.  Becomes less acidic with storage.

Nelson
Place of origin unknown pre 1945
Pick mid Oct.  Use Oct – Feb/Mar
Pollination group C
Discovered as veteran trees growing at Hindringham and in neighbouring villages during the 1990s. A medium to large sized long-keeping dual use variety.  Known locally as ‘The Nelson apple’.  Yellow skinned with an occasional light pink blush.  A prolific bearer which is best used a cooker before January and as an eater afterwards.

Apples – culinary varieties

Emneth Early
Emneth 1899
Pick early Aug.  Use Aug – Sept
Pollination group C
Raised by William ‘Billy’ Lynn of Emneth by crossing the two UK codlin-type cultivars Lord Grosvenor and Keswick Codlin. Once an important early season UK apple grown mainly around Wisbech for jam manufacturers. It was first sold by Cross’s the Wisbech nurserymen. A medium-sized, smooth-skinned, yellowish green coloured apple. Cooks to a sharp tasting ‘fluffy’ puree. Known also as Early Victoria. Fruits often exhibit a russet hairline running from the stalk to the eye. It has good scab, mildew and canker resistance. 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.

Five Crowned Pippin
Place of origin unknown 1500s
Pick mid Oct.  Use Nov – Feb
Pollination group C
Origin confused. Sometimes called ‘London Pippin’ – as recorded in Somerset.  It was being sold in Norfolk in the 1700s as a ‘real Norfolk apple’.  Prominently ribbed and five crowned in shape. A medium-sized green apple with no russet. A long keeper. Quite acidic but can be quite nutty. Keeps its shape when cooked. Has good scab resistance

Golden Noble
Stow Bardolph 1820
Pick early Oct.  Use Oct – Dec
Pollination group E
Discovered growing as a chance seedling in an orchard near Downham Market by Patrick Flanagan, the Head Gardener of Stow Bardolph Hall. A medium-sized, golden-yellow long-keeping apple.  A Victorian table favourite, it has always been a popular garden apple. Contains a very high level of vitamin C. Cooks to a slightly acidic puree. Has good scab, mildew and canker resistance.

Hanworth Codlin
Hanworth 1948
Pick early Sept.  Use Sept – Oct
Pollination group C
Arose as a seedling in the gardens of Hanworth Rectory, near Aylsham. A striking large pale-yellow skinned ‘codlin’ covered with broken red stripes. Best eaten shortly after picking. Keeps shape when cooked. Has good scab resistance.

Norfolk Beauty
Gunton Park 1901
Pick early Sept.  Use Sept – Nov
Pollination group C
Raised by Mr. Allan, Head Gardener at Lord Suffield’s Gunton Park near North Walsham, by crossing the two UK cookers Warner’s King and Waltham Abbey Seedling.  Received RHS awards in 1901 and 1902. Large, yellow skinned sometimes with a delicate pink flush. Cooks to a puree but needs little sugar. Cropping can be biennial. Has good scab and mildew resistance.

Norfolk Beefing
Place of origin unknown 1698
Pick mid Oct.  Use Dec – Apr
Pollination group D
Known in Norfolk for centuries, the earliest record is in the Mannington Hall Estate records of 1698, but it may have originated in France or possibly Holland. A very long-keeping, tough-skinned and firm-fleshed purple-flushed apple. Excellent for making dried apple rings, and for baking slowly in a cool oven to make ‘Biffins’ or ‘Biffin Cakes’ – once a Victorian delicacy at Christmas time. Has good scab resistance. It is a triploid variety so requires another two different apple varieties nearby for successful pollination.

Norfolk Dumpling
Place of origin unknown 1827
Pick mid Sept.  Use Sept – Nov
Pollination group C
Re-discovered in the 1990s growing in a former rectory’s walled garden in North Creake.  A medium- sized yellowish green skinned codlin-type apple, mildly acidic, which forms a golden puree when cooked.

Robert Blatchford
Hunstanton 1914
Pick early Oct.  Use Oct – Dec
Pollination group E
Raised at Hunstanton by nurseryman F. Chilvers by crossing the UK varieties Rev. W. Wilkes and Blenheim Orange. Named after the then editor of ‘The Clarion’ newspaper, who also taught locally at High House School, Heacham. A large pale-yellow apple which keeps its shape when cooked. Pleasant, slightly acidic, flavour.

Striped Beefing
Lakenham 1794
Pick early Oct.  Use Dec – Apr
Pollination group C
Named by and found growing in the gardens of Mr. Crowe of Lakenham, near Norwich, by the Catton nurseryman George Lindley. Often a very large apple, mid-green in colour with bold red stripes and a red flush.  A long-keeper which also keeps shape well when cooked. Needs little sugar. It is a triploid variety so requires another two different apple varieties nearby for successful pollination.

Summer Broaden
Place of origin unknown 1796
Pick mid Sept.  Use Sept – Oct
Pollination group C
Known also as ‘Norfolk Summer Broadend’. In the 1800s it was recorded as being a popular cottage garden apple and sold on Norwich market. Large and irregularly shaped, yellow skinned with orangey-red flush and stripes. Sharp and fruity to taste and keeps shape when cooked. It is a triploid variety so requires another two different apple varieties nearby for successful pollination.

Vicar of Beighton
Beighton 1890
Pick early Oct.  Use Dec – Feb
Pollination group D
Assumed to have been raised as a seedling at Beighton, near Acle, probably by the Rev. Alfred Fellows.  Introduced by Daniels Bros, Norwich nurserymen, in 1890. Attractive, large and almost totally flushed red, with some russet. Sweet, soft flesh. It is a triploid variety so requires another two different apple varieties nearby for successful pollination.

Winter Majetin
Place of origin unknown 1734
Pick late Oct.  Use Dec – Apr
Pollination group E
Earliest record is from Norfolk. A small to medium-sized smooth skinned green apple with a brownish-orange flush.  Excellent keeper. Cooks to a firm brisk puree. Is notable for its very good natural resistance to woolly aphid.  Also has good scab resistance.

Winter Queening
Place of origin unknown 1688
Pick late Sept.  Use Nov – Mar
Pollination group C.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Recorded in 1822 as being grown in south-east Norfolk and adjoining north Suffolk, but first mentioned by name in 1688. Parentage unknown. Medium-sized, angular in shape, with a yellow skin and bold orange stripes. Keeps its shape when cooked and needs little sugar.

Pears – dessert varieties

Hacon’s Incomparable
Downham Market 1792
Pick early Oct.  Use Oct – Nov/Dec
Pollination group D
Origin confused. Arose as either a chance seedling found growing in a baker’s yard in 1792 by Mrs. Rayner, or it was propagated from ‘Rayner’s Norfolk Seedling’ by Mr. J. Hacon, around 1814. A handsome mid-green coloured medium-sized pear that keeps it shape when cooked. Sweet flavoured.

Robin
Place of origin unknown pre1900
Pick late Aug.  Use Aug – Sept
Pollination group C
May be the old ‘lost’ pear variety London Sugar, as listed in the catalogue of nurseryman George Lindley, of Catton, Norwich, in 1796. Can occasionally be seen on sale on Norwich market and elsewhere. A small red-flushed dessert pear best eaten very soon after picking.

Cherries – dessert varieties

All these sweet dessert varieties were developed at the John Innes Research Institute at Colney near Norwich and they are all canker resistant. All, except Summer Sun, are self-sterile so require another pollinator.

Colney
Norwich 1974
Pick and use late July/Aug
Pollination group D
A medium sized dark red skinned variety with deep red coloured flesh. A useful late ripening cherry.

Hertford
Norwich 1974
Pick and use late July
Pollination group D
A medium sized pink fleshed and dark red, almost black, skinned variety. One of its parents is the variety Van. A very heavy cropper.

Inga
Norwich 1975
Pick and use mid-July
Pollination group D
A large dark red skinned heavy cropping variety with dark red flesh.

Merchant
Norwich 1970
Pick and use June – July
Pollination group C
A large black skinned variety with very dark red flesh.  Heavy cropping.  One of its parents is Merton Glory, also raised by the John Innes Institute, when based in London.

Merla
Norwich 1970
Pick and use early/mid-July
Pollination group D
A medium sized pale-yellow skinned fruit, with a pinkish blush and yellow flesh.

Mermat 
Norwich 1970
Pick and use early/mid-July
Pollination group D
A large black skinned, dark red fleshed variety.

Merpet 
Norwich 1971
Pick and use early/mid-July
Pollination group D
A medium sized dark red skinned variety with dark red flesh. Heavy cropping.

Pat
Norwich 1971
Pick and use early/mid-July
Pollination group C
A medium sized black skinned variety with red flesh. One of its parents is Merton Glory.

Sasha
Norwich 1975
Pick and use mid/ late July
Pollination group D
A dark red skinned medium sized variety with red flesh. One of its parents is Merton Glory.

Summer Sun
Norwich c.1990
Pick and use mid/late July
Pollination group C
A medium sized dark red coloured variety with good late frost tolerance and suitable for planting in exposed areas. It is partially self-fertile so will set some fruit by itself.