The Big Pick 2025 - Orchard Days - Apple Picking, Pressing, Cider and Music

Courtney's of Whimple is a small family run business, passionate about apples and everything 'Apple' related.We strive to create the very best products using Apples grown from our own Traditional West Country Cider Orchard where we live and work. Everything is natural, we don't spray our trees or use fertilisers, letting biodiversity do the job for us! Our Apples are grown, picked, pressed and bottles all in the same location. You can’t get fresher than that.

Courtney's of Whimple

COURTNEY'S OF WHIMPLE are opening their ancient Cider Orchard in Whimple, where their ciders and juices are created. Pick, press and relax.

The Old Orchard

BACK FOR 2025 - part of the <a href="https://www.tasteeastdevon.co.uk/" title="https://www.tasteeastdevon.co.uk/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Taste East Devon Festival</a>Dates &amp; Times:Saturday 20th September: 11am - 5.30pmSunday 21st September: 11am - 5.30pmJoin us at the enchanting 'Courtney's of Whimple' cider orchard, nestled off Southbrook Lane in Whimple, Devon. A hidden gem! This ancient orchard, with trees over 100 years old, will be open to the public for a weekend of exploration, live music, and relaxation with family and friends.Experience the Magic of Cider Making:Harvest Cider Apples: Participate in this year's cider apple harvest and be part of the Courtney's cider-making tradition.Press Your Own Apples: Use our apple crushing and pressing equipment to turn apples you collect from the orchard into fresh, natural apple juice (up to 10kgs per person). Alternatively, bring your own apples, and we'll press them for you to take home. It doesn't get fresher than that!Why Visit?Historic Orchard: Wander through one of East Devon's oldest orchards, part of the original 'Whiteways of Whimple' orchards.Live Music: Enjoy live music as you soak in the serene atmosphere (see full line up below).Family Fun: A perfect outing for families and friends to create lasting memories.Don't miss this unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich heritage and vibrant community spirit of East Devon.

WHAT'S ON OVER THE WEEKENDApple Picking: Dive into the Courtney's cider-making tradition by helping to harvest this year’s apple crop. Wander through our ancient East Devon orchards and soak in nature at its finest.Apple Pressing: Create your own fresh juice by pressing apples you bring or those you pick from the orchard. Note: £2 per kg charge applies. Bring your own vessels for juice or we can provide them free of charge.Stalls: Explore a variety of gifts and produce from local small business entrepreneurs.Live Music: Enjoy live music all weekend long.Saturday 20th11am to 1pm - Dan Caute. Dan is a solo guitar and piano vocalist with a wide repertoire, including pop classics, jazz standards, folk, reggae and country songs. He has a warm, mellow voice and a gentle style, in the vein of Paul Simon.1pm to 3pm - Joy Machine. Covering all genres of music rom 60s to modern pop and always well received at The Big Pick.3pm to 5pm - Back at Nick's. Enjoy the 5 piece eclectic acoustic blues-infused band plus The Heavitree Strummers are back with their group of Ukelele players and singers!Sunday 21st11am to 2pm - Phil. Relax with the gentle sounds of Phil on his guitar so set off your Sunday perfectly in the beautiful countryside.2pm to 4pm - Ottery's Big Silver Band. Our local East Devon based band will entertain everyone with their progressive, friendly entertainment with their wide and varied music.4pm to 5.30pm - Static Charge. The big finale with THE electrifying party band. Guaranteed to get you up and dancing to provide an awesome end to the weekend.Bar: Savour the Courtney's Drinks range, including cocktails, our award-winning traditional, fruit, cloudy, low-alcohol ciders, and soft drinks from our cider bar.Refreshments: Hot and cold refreshments will be available all day.A RELAXING DAY: Grab a cider, some tasty food, and relax in the beautiful East Devon countryside. Enjoy our apple picking and pressing experience with live music.All in all, it's a cracking day out for everyone in the fresh air at a local family business in East Devon. Not to be missed! See our video <a href="https://youtu.be/OTZt7er4jVI?si=YK6kESlIWM57FNB9" title="https://youtu.be/OTZt7er4jVI?si=YK6kESlIWM57FNB9" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">HERE</a> 🍏🎶

TICKETSDay Tickets: Adults £6 per person, Under 16s £1.'Weekend Pass': Adults £8 per person, Under 16s £1.50.(Note: tickets are non-refundable, Under 2s FREE)OTHER BITSWell behaved dogs are permitted. We kindly request that they remain on a lead as we have sheep grazing in the orchards.Limited parking facilities (we would encourage those that are close to walk or cycle, if possible).We keep beehives in the orchard to pollinate our trees. Please keep a reasonable distance away from them as they are very busy bees!HOW TO FIND USCourtney's Orchards, The Old Orchards, Southbrook Lane, Whimple, EX5 2PDView on Google Maps: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Courtney's+Orchard/@50.7608361,-3.3885981,19z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x486d99236f77c11f:0xfc4095eeb5b3342!8m2!3d50.7608361!4d-3.3885981!16s%2Fg%2F11t6g5h824" title="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Courtney's+Orchard/@50.7608361,-3.3885981,19z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x486d99236f77c11f:0xfc4095eeb5b3342!8m2!3d50.7608361!4d-3.3885981!16s%2Fg%2F11t6g5h824" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Here</a>Your Sat Nav may take you to a neighbouring farm. Our orchard is on 'Southbrook Lane' just past the railway bridge. 1 mile from the old A30.what3words: <a href="https://what3words.com/themes.extreme.flattered" title="https://what3words.com/themes.extreme.flattered" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">themes.extreme.flattered</a>.A short walk or cycle from Cranbrook, Whimple, Broadclyst and Rockbeare.

ABOUT COURTNEY'S DRINKSWe create our range of award winning ciders and juices from the apples in our orchard. Everything is done naturally with as little human intervention as possible. We hand pick, press and bottle within the orchard. We don't use harmful chemicals or fertilisers, just let nature do what it does best. Our range of ciders available include traditional, fruit and low alcohol. We also produce THE EXE GIN and Grumblebee Honey Spiced Rum which will be available to try and / or take away.Whimple Orchards (GOLD winner) and Silly Cow Cider (SILVER winner) at the 2024 Japan Cider Cup. Yep - we export our Whimple cider to Japan!Full range of Courtney's Drinks <a href="https://www.courtneysdrinks.co.uk/" title="https://www.courtneysdrinks.co.uk/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">HERE</a>.{photos shown from previous events}