Visit the Somerset Cider Brandy Company near Burrow Hill — tour orchards, taste award-winning cider brandy, and discover 300 years of Somerset craft.

Discover England’s Only Cider Brandy Distillery

Deep in the Somerset Levels, at the foot of Burrow Hill, lies a place where centuries of apple-growing heritage meet world-class craftsmanship — the Somerset Cider Brandy Company.

This family-run distillery transforms Somerset cider apples into authentic English cider brandy, reviving a tradition once lost since the 17th century. Surrounded by orchards and rustic farm buildings, it’s a destination full of flavour, history, and countryside charm.

The Spirit of Somerset Apples

Founded by Julian Temperley, the Somerset Cider Brandy Company is the first licensed cider brandy distillery in England in over 300 years. Using local bittersweet apples and traditional copper stills, the team crafts smooth, aromatic brandies aged in oak barrels beneath the Somerset skies.

The result is a spirit that captures the essence of the West Country — warm, golden, and unmistakably English.

Tour the Distillery & Orchards

Visitors are invited to explore this unique working farm through guided tours and tastings that reveal every step of the process.

What You’ll Experience

Orchard Walks: Wander through 180 acres of heritage cider apple trees, bursting with varieties like Kingston Black and Yarlington Mill.

Copper Still House: See the gleaming stills where cider is distilled into brandy.

Maturation Cellars: Learn how the spirit rests in oak barrels for years, developing rich colour and complex flavour.

Tasting Sessions: Sample aged cider brandies, Somerset Pomona (apple liqueur), and Kingston Black aperitif.

Each tour ends with a chance to browse the farm shop, filled with local cheeses, chutneys, and artisan spirits.

Learn more about tours on Somerset Cider Brandy’s official website

Hands-On Chocolate Making

One of the highlights of the tour is the Chocolate Workshop, where you can:

Make your own chocolate lollipop with professional chocolatiers.

Learn how to temper chocolate like a pro.

Sample warm melted chocolate from the fountain.

Every visitor leaves with their own handmade creation — a sweet souvenir of your time in York.

The Flavours of Somerset

The company produces a wide range of small-batch spirits, each expressing the character of Somerset’s apples:

3-, 5-, 10-, and 20-Year-Old Cider Brandies — smooth, oaky, and elegantly fruity.

Somerset Pomona — a blend of cider brandy and apple juice liqueur.

Kingston Black Aperitif — crisp and aromatic, perfect before dinner.

Eau de Vie and Apple Gin — lighter spirits with orchard-fresh notes.

Tastings are guided by friendly experts who explain the craft behind each bottle, from apple pressing to barrel ageing.

Visit Burrow Hill Cider Farm

The distillery sits alongside Burrow Hill Cider Farm, where traditional farmhouse cider is made using the same apples that go into the brandy. Visitors can:

Watch cider being pressed in autumn.

Sample still and sparkling varieties in the tasting room.

Climb Burrow Hill for panoramic views of the Somerset Levels — a perfect picnic spot.

The farm is open year-round, offering an authentic glimpse of rural Somerset life.

Seasonal Events & Experiences

Throughout the year, the distillery hosts special events that celebrate cider, craft, and countryside culture:

Apple Day (October): A harvest festival with tastings, live music, and pressing demos.

Spring Blossom Tours: Guided walks through orchards in full bloom.

Christmas Tastings: Warming fireside sessions with spiced cider and brandy.

Check event updates and booking details online before visiting.

Food, Drink & Local Flavours

After your tour, enjoy a glass of cider in the farm courtyard café, serving local cheeses, charcuterie boards, and homemade apple cake. Pair your drink with a wedge of traditional West Country cheddar for the ultimate Somerset combination.

Getting There

Address: Burrow Hill, Kingsbury Episcopi, Martock, Somerset, TA12 6BU.

By car: Off the A303 near Martock; free parking available.

By train: Crewkerne or Yeovil stations (15–20 minutes by taxi).

By bus: Local routes serve Martock and Kingsbury Episcopi.

The farm is well signposted and easy to find using “Burrow Hill Cider Farm” in your satnav.

Why Visit the Somerset Cider Brandy Company?

Whether you’re a spirit connoisseur, foodie, or countryside explorer, the Somerset Cider Brandy Company offers an experience unlike any other. You’ll learn about centuries-old traditions, taste award-winning spirits, and see first-hand how the humble apple becomes something truly special.

Walk the orchards, taste the brandy, and raise a glass to Somerset’s rich cider-making heritage.