Apple – Duke of Devonshire
The Duke of Devonshire apple was raised in 1835 by Wilson, gardener to the Duke of Devonshire at Holker Hall, Cumbria.
Duke of Devonshire apple
Introduced around 1875, the fruits have a firm, fine texture with rather dry flesh and a slightly nutty flavour.
Uses: Desert
Parents: Unknown
Flowers: Early to Mid May
Picking: Early October
Natural Storage: January - March
The Duke of Devonshire apple can be found growing in the orchards of Acorn Bank House, Temple Sowerby, Cumbria.
Young trees are available from Adam's Apples, in Devon.
Apple – Cockpit
Originating from Yorkshire, the Cockpit apple was first discovered in 1831.
Cockpit apple
Fruits have coarse flesh with a slight acid and almost astringent flavour.
A famous Yorkshire apple which grows well in Cumbria.
Uses: Culinary
Parents: Unknown
Flowers: Early to Mid May
Picking: Early October
Natural Storage: October - December
The Cockpit apple can be found growing in the orchards of Acorn Bank House, Temple Sowerby, Cumbria.
Apple – Golden Spire
The Golden Spire apple was reported to have been discovered in 1850 by Richard Smith of Worcester.
Golden Spire apple
Fruits have a dense, crisp flesh with an acidic, astringent flavour.
Uses: Culinary
Parents: Unknown
Flowers: Late April to Early May
Picking: Early September
Natural Storage: September - October
The Golden Spire apple can be found growing in the orchards of Acorn Bank House, Temple Sowerby, Cumbria.
Apple – Carlisle Codlin
The Carlisle Codlin apple is thought to have originated in Carlisle in Cumbria and records show evidence of it's presence before 1830.
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Fruits have a rather soft and slightly coarse textured flesh, juicy and mildly acidic. The skin is very smooth and shiny when ripe.
Cultivation of this apple is probably only of local heritage interest, it does not have a good flavour and its very upright habit, makes picking of the fruit difficult.
Uses: Desert
Parents: Unknown
Flowers: Early May
Picking: Late September
Natural Storage: October - December
The Carlisle Codlin apple can be found growing in the orchards of Acorn Bank House, Temple Sowerby, Cumbria.
Apple – Blenheim Orange
The triploid apple, Blenheim Orange was discvoered by Mr Kempster at Woodstock near Blenheim, England around 1740.
Blenheim Orange
Distribution of the apple did not start until 1818 and it received the Banksian Medal in 1822.
Fruits have a creamy white, somewhat course texture with rather dry flesh. It has a rich sweet, nutty, aromatic flavour.
Said to be good with cheese and for making Apple Charlotte.
Uses: Desert
Parents: Unknown
Flowers: Early to Mid May
Picking: Late September
Natural Storage: October - December
The Blenheim Orange apple can be found growing in the orchards of Acorn Bank House, Temple Sowerby, Cumbria.
Young trees are available from Adam's Apples, in Devon.
Apple – Edward VII
The first record of the Edward VII apple was in 1902. Introduced by Rowe of Worcester in 1908.
Edward VII
The apple received the RHS Award of Merit in 1903.
Fruits have a firm, rather coarse texture, fairly juicy, with an acid flavour.
Reported to be an excellent cooking apple.
Uses: Culinary
Parents: Female -Blenheim Orange? x Male - Golden Noble?
Flowers: Mid to late May
Picking: Mid October
Natural Storage: December to April
The Edward VII apple can be found growing in the orchards of Acorn Bank House, Temple Sowerby, Cumbria.
Apple – Ellison’s Orange
The Ellison's Orange apple was raised by the Reverend. C.C. Ellison at Bracebridge and Mr. Wipf, gardener at Hartsholme Hall in Lincolnshire, England.
Ellison's Orange
First records of the Ellison's Orange date back to 1904, being introduced by Pennells Nurseries, Lincolnshire in 1911.
The RHS gave it an Award of Merit in 1911 and a First Class Certificate in 1917.
Fruits have soft juicy flesh with a striped red skin. It is noted to have a rich, strong aniseed flavour when ripe.
Uses: Desert
Parents: Female - Cox's Orange Pippin x Male - Calville Blanc
Flowers: Mid to late May
Picking: Mid September
Natural Storage: September to October
The Ellison's orange apple can be found growing in the orchards of Acorn Bank House, Temple Sowerby, Cumbria.
Young trees available from Adams Apples
Apple – Lancashire Pippin
The Lancashire Pippin was received by the national fruit trials in 1950, from Westmorland in Northern England.
Lancashire Pippin
Fruits have soft, slightly course flesh with a subacid flavour. Reportedly, this flavour becomes very bland when cooked.
Uses: Culinary
Parents: Unknown
Flowers: Mid to late May
Picking: Mid September
Natural Storage: October
The Lancashire Pippin apple can be found growing in the orchards of Acorn Bank House, Temple Sowerby, Cumbria.
Apple – Ribston Pippin
The Ribston Pippin was raised at Ribston Hall in Yorkshire, England, from seed brought from Rouen in France. It is thought to have been planted around 1707, receiving it's first RHS Award of Merit in 1962.
Ribston Pippin
Fruits have a red/yellow flush and the flesh a fine, firm, crisp texture which is juicy with a rich, sweet aromatic flavour.
Uses: Desert
Parents: Unknown
Flowers: Early to Mid May
Picking: Late September
Natural Storage: October - January
The Ribston Pippin apple can be found growing in the orchards of Acorn Bank House, Temple Sowerby, Cumbria.
Young trees available from Adams Apples
Perry Pear – Blakeney Red
The Blakeney Red Perry Pear is named after the village of Blakeney in the Forest of Dean. Also known as Red Pear, Circus Pear, Painted Lady, Painted Pear .
Blakeney Red Perry Pear
Known to have been in existence in 1600, some trees are over 300 years old and it is now the most common perry pear in the Gloucestershire and Herefordshire region.
The Blakeney Red is a greenish yellow perry pear with a red flush on the sunny side, an old favourite which was even considered a desert pear in the 1600's. which could also be stewed and used to dye soldiers' khaki uniforms.
This popular pear is renowned for perry making and is considered one of the best single perry varieties.
Many Cider companies still rely on this pear to produce quality cider.
A statuesque specimen can be found in the Acorn Bank Orchards at Temple Sowerby, Cumbria.
Perry Pear - Balkeney Red at Acorn Bank, Cumbria.
This tree towers above it's neighbouring Medlar's to some 40 or 50 feet.
A well shaped tree, the fruit glows red on the sunniest side and hangs in abundance, crammed onto the upward facing branches.
To find out more about Perry pears and Perry making visit the Three Counties Perry website.
You can find young trees at Cummins Nursery.
