Cornish Cyder Farm
Family-run Cornish farm producing cider, spirits, and preserves.
Last updated
Lewis Clarke · CC BY-SA 2.0
Healey's Cornish Cyder Farm is a family-run operation in Penhallow, near Truro, Cornwall. It makes and sells cider, brandy, whisky, gin, eau de vie, country fruit wines, and apple juice.
Among its ciders are Cornish Rattler Cyder and Pear Rattler, which is the original Rattler with pear juice added. The farm also produces traditional scrumpy, reserve, and classic cider—the last aged in second-hand oak whisky barrels. Other products include jams, marmalades, sauces, chutneys, pickle, and mustard.
The business opened to the public in 1986, started by David and Kay Healey after they ran an off-licence in Mevagissey. There, they noticed how popular Cornish cyder was, and began making it for themselves at their smallholding near St Austell. The current site in Penhallow is a farm over 150 years old that was once used for mixed arable and cattle farming. In partnership with St Austell Brewery, the farm produced the first commercial whisky made in Cornwall in three centuries.
Quick Facts
- Location
- Penhallow near Truro, Cornwall, England, UK
- Established
- 1986
- Founders
- David and Kay Healey
- Cider varieties
- Cornish Rattler Cyder
- Pear Rattler
- traditional scrumpy cider
- reserve and classic cider
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Healey's was opened to the general public in 1986 by David and Kay Healey, after they had been running an off-licence in Mevagissey. During their time managing an off-licence they realised how popular Cornish Cyder is, and they initially began making Cyder for themselves at their smallholding near St Austell. The current site of the Cyder Farm is Penhallow near Truro, Cornwall; the original farm is over 150 years old and had been a mixed arable and cattle farm.
The farm's ciders include Cornish Rattler Cyder and Pear Rattler, which is made by adding pear juice to the original Cornish Rattler. In addition, the farm produces traditional scrumpy cider, reserve and classic cider, with the latter made in second hand oak whisky barrels. The whisky was produced in a partnership with St Austell Brewery and is the first commercial whisky to be produced in Cornwall in 300 years.
Reader's Guide
Healey's Cornish Cyder Farm represents a continuation of traditional Cornish cider-making within a small family enterprise. Its significance lies in its role as a producer of a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic products from a single site, including cider, brandy, whisky, gin, eau de vie, country fruit wines, and apple juice. The farm's whisky, made in partnership with St Austell Brewery, is historically notable as the first commercial whisky produced in Cornwall in 300 years.
The farm also extends its output to preserves such as jams, marmalades, sauces, chutneys, pickle, and mustard. The legacy of the farm is tied to its founders, David and Kay Healey, who transitioned from running an off-licence to establishing a destination cider farm on a property over 150 years old. The farm's ciders, including the flagship Cornish Rattler Cyder and the blended Pear Rattler, alongside traditional scrumpy and reserve ciders aged in whisky barrels, reflect both heritage and innovation within the Cornish cider tradition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cornish Cyder Farm?
It is a family-run cider and spirits producer in Penhallow, near Truro, Cornwall, operating since 1986. The Healey family crafts everything from traditional scrumpy to aged reserve ciders and a range of spirits and preserves.
Where is Cornish Cyder Farm located?
The farm sits in the village of Penhallow, just outside Truro in Cornwall, England. It opened to the public in 1986 and remains a working farm open for visits.
Who founded Cornish Cyder Farm and when?
David and Kay Healey launched the business in 1986 after previously running an off-license. They built it into the family-run operation it remains today.
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Cornish Cyder Farm (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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