Hartpury Orchard Centre

Hartpury Orchard Centre National Collection of perry pears, with Gloucestershire apple and plum trees Access to the wetland nature reserve is free and open all year round.

The Hartpury Orchard Centre houses the National Collection of perry pears along with examples of Gloucestershire apple and plum trees. Our aim is to preserve these heritage fruit trees at our orchard and Nature Reserve here in Hartpury, as well as to encourage and help individuals and groups rediscover lost orchards or establish new. As we manage the grassland through the grazing of local Gloucest

er Cattle and Ryeland Sheep, we ask that dogs are kept on leads. Please come and enjoy the orchard in your own time, or join us at one of our open days.

05/06/2026
A very striking "Cucumber" Spider found in the orchard yesterday.
26/05/2026

A very striking "Cucumber" Spider found in the orchard yesterday.

08/04/2026
29/03/2026

First dates of 2026 folks! Come and celebrate Spring with us at Hartpury Orchard Centre, Blackwells End. 2025 was a vintage perry harvest and we’ve got some corkers ready for you on tap!Available to enjoy on site or takeaway (or both!).

Enjoy a walk through the orchards, visit our birdhide overlooking the wetlands and taste some traditional regional perry.

Blackwells End, Hartpury, GL19 3DB.

A week tonight it will either be RAINING, COLD, FOGGY, WINDY, WARM or SNOWING!!!! But whatever it is - unless the rain o...
23/01/2026

A week tonight it will either be RAINING, COLD, FOGGY, WINDY, WARM or SNOWING!!!! But whatever it is - unless the rain or snow are too bad it will still be time for having fun at the annual Wassail. Please car share - the parking field is very wet. [Check on facebook for cancellation]

Hartpury Orchard Centre WetlandsSince they were dug in 2007/8, the pools at Hartpury Orchard Centre have transformed, be...
02/12/2025

Hartpury Orchard Centre Wetlands
Since they were dug in 2007/8, the pools at Hartpury Orchard Centre have transformed, becoming the extensive wetland nature reserve of today. They now serve to slow the drainage from the area, filtering water through the reedbeds and allowing the silt to settle before it reaches our rivers.
When first dug there was a considerable area of open water attractive to waders and ducks, but over the last 18 years they have gradually silted up, with reeds and rushes spreading across the ponds. This had led to a change in the wildlife that visits them. Fewer ducks and waders and more buntings and warblers nesting in the reedbeds. After long consideration and discussion with Natural England, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and Gloucestershire Naturalists’ Society we have decided upon a programme of dredging and rotational scrub coppicing to encourage the return of visiting waterfowl, whilst retaining sufficient vegetation for the smaller birds and the general wildlife value of the reserve. Some will remember the glorious murmerations of starlings a few years ago. At the same time, the access path to the bird hide will be improved, making it easy to see the ponds without disturbing the birds on them.
The initial work will take around three years to complete, followed by a seasonal management programme. Why not visit a few times while this is being undertaken to see how the birds and other wildlife respond to the changes?
If you would like to visit as a group or bring a school party then drop a note here or contact Steve by messaging us.

Address

Blackwell's End
Hartpury
GL193DB

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